The Addiction Alliance of Georgia (AAG) a partnership between Emory Healthcare and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, is hosting the “Comfort of Recovery" quilt throughout the month of April at the Emory Addiction Center. The captivating quilt, handcrafted by members of R2ISE to Recovery, a nonprofit recovery community organization in partnership with the Michael C. Carlos Museum, embodies the transformative power of connection, recovery, and storytelling.
To help spread the quilt’s message, AAG hosted a special event on April 9 at the Emory Addiction Center. Members of the R2ISE community performed dramatic scenes that demonstrated the transformative power of the arts in recovery.
The "Comfort of Recovery" quilt project, adorned with a tree motif symbolizing change and interconnectedness, began its journey over 18 months ago. From a serendipitous encounter at MET Atlanta, Henry Kim, director of the Carlos Museum, discovered R2ISE’s creative space and met its founder, Alexia Jones. This meeting ignited the collaborative effort that resulted in the quilt, which aligns with a Carlos Museum strategic initiative focusing on the role of the arts in health and well-being.
The quilt project was led by quilter Rhonda Lawson, a U.S. Air Force veteran and recovering peer at R2ISE, emphasizing recovery as an ongoing creative process. Over many months, R2ISE peers and supporters, museum staff, and Emory students sewed the quilt.
Alexia Jones expressed the quilt’s broader mission: “Our hope is that "The Comfort of Recovery" serves as a beacon of possibility, illustrating the power of recovery, sharing hope, reducing stigma, and offering solace to those affected by addiction and mental health challenges.”
Following its initial display at the Michael C. Carlos Museum, the quilt was displayed at the Emory University School of Medicine from November 1 to 30, 2023, and at Emory Hospital from January 15 to February 1, 2024. It was moved to the Emory Addiction Center on April 1, 2024, and will remain there through the end of April.
Dr. William J. Eley, MD, MPH, Executive Associate Dean at Emory’s School of Medicine, shared his reflections on the quilt: “This quilt is a poignant reminder of the journey through addiction. It’s not only a piece of art but a messenger of growth and understanding. We’re proud to host this quilt and support its message of recovery and compassion.”
From May 6-8, the quilt will be displayed at the CDC's OD2A conference at the Marriott Marquis. Then, it travels to the Carter Center as part of the annual Rosalynn Carter Mental Health Forum on May 14 and remains at the Carter Center through May 31, 2024.
In October, the quilt will embark on a new journey across the state through the Georgia Public Library Service, continuing to spread its message of healing and hope.
