And so it begins

What a great group of kids!

Friendly, interested, ask great questions..

We started our individual loom weaving part of the project last Tuesday. That will accomplish two things.. get the "over-under" structure part down, and everyone will have something to work on. One hour goes by quickly.  

Today we set up the larger loom. 

Mr Hart helped with a diagram of weaving and enlarged his sketch for the tapestry. We will be working quickly with 10 meetings to complete this project.. with such a great group at Leaksville-Spray we should move along very well.

(climbing on soapbox)

When funds are restricted, complicated and minimal, the need for projects and programs is not minimized. Grants are available sometimes, but they run on cycles. Opportunities don't always. The best way -- I truly believe !!! to invigorate and engage a community is from grassroots efforts with neighbors, caring businesses investing BACK into their community and volunteer efforts. This doesn't mean that those working in the project with design, execution and supervision should all be uncompensated volunteers. Consider investing in projects with funding, with time because we all know nothing is free. But it can be freely given. (climbing down from soapbox)

Hope you enjoy the photos.. more to come!!!

Tapestry in the Schools- Weaving an Epic Journey

Tapestry as story

History has been full of storytelling... one of my favorite parts!

Unicorn Tapestry (detail)

Bayeux Tapestry (detail)

Stories ground us in why we are doing what we are doing ... all of the big "w" questions. The Battle of Hastings in the Bayeux Tapestries, (not really tapestry but textiles and I'll take that!!!) and the story of England, Vikings and 1066, the Unicorn Tapestries and more contemporary tapestry artists all tell stories but with so much tactility and texture!!!

Mix yarn, elementary education, community projects and engagement and we score big!!!

Yarn and other supplies!

For 10 weeks, I'll be a resident artist with Mr. Bret H. Hart, school art instructor at Leaksville-Spray Elementary School in Eden, NC for this afterschool project. For those unfamiliar with this area of NC, Eden has been a "textile town" with several mills that produced towels, socks and other hosiery, rugs and so many other woven items that are no longer produced in NC or in the US. My grandfather, father and cousin worked at the Fieldcrest Mill when we all lived in "Draper", one of the three towns that blended into "Eden". Mills were located along the Dan River all the way into Virginia. The area is beautiful. Clear water now, ... except for the Coal Ash spill up river courtesy of Duke Energy... another story. 

School Mascot "The Dolphin"

The Textile heritage is strong here, 

and so many families are rooted in the area because of their employment by these mills.. the area is struggling financially. Not a lot of funding for school projects is available and what can be used is VERY competitive. This is an opportunity to work in the schools, to bring the importance of art, craft and community with all of the side benefits of story, awareness, education, history... it goes on! Want to contribute? Personal Message me and I will be glad to share this project!!!!