Course Description:In the contemporary movements of the handmade, the act of weaving has proliferated as an expressive, experimental language to explore formal concerns, concept, materiality, performance, function, and cross-disciplinary intervention. As one of the oldest forms of material culture, weaving has the unique ability to negotiate boundaries between structure, cultural histories, and the body-notions critical to dialogues surrounding contemporary practice. In these hands-on courses, students engage the primary vernacular of weaving-the warp and the weft. Courses rotate content by semester and year and include Painting the Loom; Loom Logic; Weaving to Dye For; Vagabond Weaving; and Hardcore Weaving.Advanced level students will follow the main structure of the course, using and building upon previously acquired skills. Advanced level students will meet regularly with the instructor to strengthen their conceptual inquiries, find critical contexts for their work, and develop their visual literacy within a contemporary art/design dialogue.Section description:Few divisions exist anymore between textiles, fashion, painting, and other disciplines. This studio-based class is perfect for anyone who wants to come to use the loom to explore the three C's: Color, Composition, and Concept as they relate not only to your art but the world around you. You will be given tools to conceive, draft, and realize your painted weavings. And, you will be encouraged to think out of the box. Unlike Painting on canvas, the loom is unforgiving. No painting over. Like a digital printer, it moves the images slowly upwards. You will learn to use this limitation to your advantage as we investigate a world of artists whose practices also investigate color, paint, textiles, and more. Assignments will include material and color exploration, performative and wearable projects, as well as socially engaged projects. We will engage in a deep investigation of color. For instance: bright colors are often associated with children, homosexuality, sensuality, the extreme feminine, or drug culture. Color has the power to transcend. You will explore colors, materials, and content that might feel uncomfortable to you as a tool or strategy to expand your practice and grow your work. Come with an open mind and adventurous spirit. This class is for advanced weavers as well as beginners.

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