Last summer, visitors gathered at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens to roll fabric, share stories, and contribute to a collaborative artwork unlike any other. What began as a hands-on community art experience has now become part of something much larger.
The Dixon's Scrollathon contribution is currently on view as part of the National Scrollathon exhibition at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The exhibition brings together collaborative artworks created by communities in all 50 states and five U.S. territories as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration.
Associate Curator Ellen Daugherty attended the exhibition opening at the Kennedy Center and witnessed the project's impact firsthand.
"The event was a joyful experience. The National Scrollathon includes collaborative art made in all 50 states and 5 U.S. territories. It is an expression of national connection and collaboration. Looking out across the North Plaza of the Kennedy Center and seeing all the projects displayed together, I really did feel that the phrase 'from sea to shining sea' was made visible in a new way for the 250th Anniversary of the United States."
Daugherty noted that the spirit of the project extended beyond the artwork itself.
"Stephen and William Ladd made everyone feel like family at the opening. "Their infectious joy and positivity are intrinsic to the project and to the community spirit that permeates the National Scrollathon, that participants in the Dixon Scrollathon felt during our local event on June 26, 2025, and that the larger Dixon community feels every time they visit."
For the Dixon, participation in the National Scrollathon reflects a belief that art can bring people together through shared experiences and creative expression. The scrolls created by visitors, members, volunteers, and community participants in Memphis now stand alongside contributions from communities across the country, creating a collective portrait of connection, collaboration, and hope.
As visitors experience the National Scrollathon in Washington, D.C., the project serves as a reminder that every contribution matters. The scrolls made at the Dixon are now part of a nationwide artwork that celebrates the many voices, stories, and communities that make up the American experience.
For more information and updates on the exhibition's closing date, please visit the Kennedy Center's website. For more information on Scrollathon, please visit scrollathon.org.