Weavers West March 2009 Newsletter

President’s Note

Hello TWW Members, The Marin show is less formal than Our guide said there are 4 million (!!) February is a very rich month for view- the city events, but just as amaz- pieces in the collection. We saw Asian ing extraordinary ethnic in the ing, with Navajo, Hopi, and North Pacific examples on huge drawers Bay area. First, the San Francisco Arts Eastern Indian textiles represented from giant lockers. of Pacific Asia Show, followed a week- as well as very early baskets, masks, They want to have groups see it, but end later by the Tribal & Arts and artifacts. We saw a Saltillo serape we did not have historical or technical Show, and then the Marin Show, Art of in wonderful condition. These large information about what we saw. It was the Americas, which features American serapes are tapestry woven with gorgeous, rather like being in a royal Indian textiles and artifacts. I know hand-spun one-ply wool wefts on fine wardrobe. more TWW members have discovered two-ply wool warps. The one we saw was probably 30 epi, woven either in I hope I’ve piqued your interest to see the SF shows because we kept meet- these shows next February. Mean- ing up with each other, comparing the South West or Mexico. So many of the dealers really knew their history. while, remember The Contemporary remarkable finds. Chinese Fiber Art exhibit at the San Jon Eric Riis has his dealer’s booth at Only 2 wedge woven rugs were Jose Quilt & Textile Museum runs both SF events and always includes spotted. I am sending to one collec- through April 26 (see page 9). tor information on current wedge some of his recent spectacular tapestry Keep , work. He had five or six small Egyptian weaving in exchange for pictures from children’s in fine . his Navajo collection. He was amazed Jan Langdon weavers are still doing it. Usually woven in wool, these were very 6 special, about 8″x10″. One, with flying Lastly, I arranged to have a tour of the bees above bushes above fish woven as Phoebe Hearst Museum storage site to be vertical in their pond, was bought for my Richmond Art Center weavers. by one of my weaving students. A large linen scaffolded piece by James Bassler, with stepped figures In this Issue derived from Peruvian design, was the January Meeting Notes...... 2 TWW Business...... 12 only contemporary example I saw of Members’ Show & Tell TWW Board Members that technique. Pre-Colombian scaf- TWW Business Call for Volunteers folding was to be found in other col- Announcements TWW Roster lections, as were a few sprang pieces Board Members’ Meeting Minutes TWW Newsletter Submissions Info and amazing, resist tie-dyed textiles. 2008 TWW Programs...... 4 6 These shows are fun and inspiring. March Meeting Date & Program They provide museum quality work Upcoming Meetings TAPESTRY WEAVERS WEST is an for us to touch and discuss with their Features ...... 5 organization with a goal to act as a collectors. Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie support, educational and networking Publish Water Songs Tapestries group for tapestry artists. For further Retreat in El Tuito details or membership information, France Needs Weavers! please contact: Mark your calendars: Exhibitions ...... 8 President, Jan Langdon The next TWW meeting is 415-663-1492 Conferences & Workshops. . . . 11 March 21 • See page 4 [email protected] Important Dates...... 11 Membership Chair, Nancy Jackson New Member Profile ...... 12 707-554-4128 Please Renew your TWW [email protected] Membership • See page 13 Banner: Detail from the cover of Water Song s T ape trie , b y Y ael L urie an d Jean Pierre arochette

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  1 January 2009 Meeting Notes

Members Present opened in Sausalito: called Gallery 111, printmaking. Clearly, Evelyn achieved Joan McColgan, Care Standley, the pieces auctioned at the opening the Guild’s very precise, high stan- Deborah Corsini, Tricia Goldberg, Jan were 111 sq. in. or less, with bids start- dards. Evelyn noted that it was her Langdon, Alex Friedman, Katie Alcorn, ing at $111.00. Currently the gallery is autumn visit to the tapestry region of Erica Diazoni, Evelyn Goodman, open by appointment only, but even- southern France that really inspired Marianne Haller, Maj-Britt Mobrand, tually will have regular business hours. her to finish her pieces to present Nancy Jackson, Kay Kent, Mimi Heft. The gallery is run by an association of herself as Master Craftsman. painters, sculptors, weavers, and tex- Marianne Haller brought in her “Gun Guests: Caroline Standley (Care’s mom tile artists (including two of Nancy’s escaping the -1° Boston freeze!) and Control” piece (see January 2009 students). To visit, please contact Alex. issue). Every day we read or hear Janine Bajus (Tricia’s student and now Although the space is small, Alex sug- new TWW member—see page 12). about young kids dying, and Marianne gests it could be a possible venue for a decided she finally had to do some- TWW show. thing to get it out of her system. The Show & Tell Katie Alcorn showed us her beautiful base geometry of the image is a subtly in wool and silk on cotton, abstract, backwards map of the U.S., We started off the year with our tradi- inspired by Japanese artists. For one, showing how backwards our society tional show & tell at the home of Kay she did her own dyeing; another was a has become; one of her children mod- Kent, in the hills above El Cerrito: beautiful wedge weave that flows like eled for her. Marianne is wondering Care Standley updated the group on water. what to do next—perhaps a piece on her progress with her sunflower piece, the Minimum Wage, as she asks, why based on a photo she took for a com- do so many have to live like rats in this mission that had instead ended up as Help Us Develop the country? Evelyn advised that these a painting. Care decided to weave it, TWW Website works of profound compassion be bal- anyway, and is enjoying the challenge anced, also, by positive subjects. Mimi The board is considering developing liked how this ancient medium was of weaving such complex areas as the a TWW website, consisting of a main seeds. The best part is she is taking page plus member gallery pages. If being used to express very modern, her time, weaving just for herself. you are interested in designing the topical issues. Although the image is not what she site, becoming the site Webmaster, Maj-Britt Mobrand showed us a bound would have chosen for herself, she says or if you can refer us to people who weave wall piece: woven on a tradi- do this kind of work, please contact it’s great to work in a different color tional 4-harness , it is a covered palette that is more limited than her Alex Friedman at AQSfriedman@ gmail.com or 415-310-2460. warp; the weft threaded as , all the usual bright tones. way across, with ends stitched along Tricia Goldberg showed us the finished the warp to hide them. The front and postcard weaving she made for the back are very different, and although FiberArts Valentines event (see Janu- Janine Bajus, Tricia’s student, proudly it is less finished, the back is still just as ary 2009 issue). The card depicts her announced, “I’ve successfully woven a beautiful. Titled “Midsummer Night’s calligraphic brush painting of the Japa- triangle!” Dream,” Maj-Britt has entered this nese character for “sweetheart.” She Evelyn Goodman no longer weaves Nordic-inspired design into the Nordic also shared her piece entered into the due to carpal tunnel, but she still Moods art show (see page 8). ATA Connections show, of a scene in designs tapestries, and can do small Kay Kent showed us a small piece of Oaxaca, in which she worked with the needlework: she shared her exquisite a rose bloom that she started as a textures of the amazing, peeling wall projects submitted for acceptance photo, made into a painting, and has paint. Tricia is now working on two into the Embroiderers’ Guild, through now created a tapestry. Kay wanted new pieces: one, a fishpond with water which she is working toward her Mas- to see if she could design and weave lilies, the other, a Japanese poem. ter Craftsman certification so she can in a more relaxed fashion, and is now Alex Friedman passed around an teach. The pieces use different types weaving a companion piece depicting antique Coptic piece from London, a of stitching techniques and depict nasturtiums. delightful image of a spring with ducks Japanese motifs of ribbons, patters, Deborah Corsini has been very busy and other animals, with fringe work scenery; for the piece titled “Waiting at the San Jose Museum of Quilts typical of many Coptic weavings. The for Pinkerton,” she researched period & Textiles, and highly recommends piece is damaged, but this reveals how clothing and incorporated visual the current exhibit there, Changing it was woven. Alex’s new gallery has techniques actually used in woodblock more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  2 January 2009 Meeting Notes, continued

Landscapes: Contemporary Chinese Announcements Board Members’ Fiber Art, which is a unique and special Meeting Minutes opportunity to view these works Deborah said the next show at San (details on page 9). Deborah now has Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles Ag e n d a 24 students in her tapestry class at is the ATA Small Format exhibit, • Treasurer’s report CCSF, and says they are doing great that it needs funding, and motioned • 2009 membership dues work. On top of all this, Deborah did that TWW make a $500 donation • TWW presentation book and CD find the time to weave pieces for the to support this rare venue for textile • TWW website Florida Convergence conference: she arts, especially in light of the bad • Paying TWW positions/tasks showed us “Riptide,” a vibrant wedge economy, which has decreased the • Filling TWW board positions weave; also a few plastic weavings museum’s funding. Nancy also urged made out of yellow SF Chronicle bags, us to become members of SJMQT, Treasurer’s Rep o rt for which Joyce Hulbert created even those who can’t get there often. mountings that gave them a very And those who can, indeed, should Jan shared Carol Kazanjian’s trea- finished feel. go, because the visitor tally is very surer’s report, noting that we have a important for the museum’s fund good amount of money now in our Joan McColgan is still working on her raising. Kay said she would like to coffers. For details please call Carol at “Twins” piece, and reports that she is join anybody going down to visit, 408–984-4837. back to weaving five hours a day! Her and Christine Laffer is going to offer challenge now is getting the very geo- Regarding TWW donating $500 to another refresher tapestry class. metric borders to align and match. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles Evelyn announced this year’s Confer- for the ATA Small Format exhibit, Jan Jan Langdon has just finished the first ence of Northern California Hand- seconded Deborah’s motion, and all in a series of weavings. The weavers (CNCH) is local, with venues present voted in favor. piece is very 3D; she achieved the in San Jose, San Francisco, Marin, and corduroy texture by skipping warps in Sonoma. She highly recommends folks 2009 Membership Dues regular intervals and then snipping the enroll in Yael and Jean Pierre’s work- weft. Jan also brought in two older, Deadline was today (January 17); Jan shop (details on page 11). small pieces, a calligraphic design titled will contact people to remind them “Surfer,” and “Bellwether,” a near- Jan asked for volunteers to update the and note that their membership will abstract text piece finished with a ball TWW Bylaws, which were last revised be discontinued if left unpaid. fringe warp. in 2002. Evelyn and Alex offered their help. TWW Presentation Bo o k a n d CD Evelyn Goodman also recounted her trip to Ceres, France, where she visited Jan also brought in a rainbow of This is to present to the Richmond Art the Aubusson tapestry museum and beautiful, hand-dyed for sale. Center (TRAC) as a hopeful venue for workshop. She reports that the school, Deborah took the leftover skeins to our Silver Anniversary! This presenta- as marvelous as it is, is in dire need sell to her students. tion, which contains 40 images by of weavers to train and work in the seven TWW members, is just the first workshop. Evelyn and her sister, who step—if the show is accepted, all mem- lives there, can put you in touch with bers can then submit works for the the right people if you are interested Volunteer: TWW Needs show. We should also start thinking this unique opportunity for a long- a Program Chairperson about our 2010 exhibit. term stay in France (details on page Jan was to meet with the TRAC reps 8). Evelyn also shared a book about This very important position is currently open, and needs to be January 20; said they’ve had some the great 20th century weaver, the filled. If you have enjoyed our past personnel changes, but that she had Benedictine monk Dom Robert (La guest speakers and have ideas for already met the new people. Clef des Champs: Dom Robert, publisher: upcoming meetings and functions, Éditions de l’Abbaye d’En Calcat / please volunteer! The position could TWW Website Éditions Privat, 2008, ISBN 2-7089- also be shared with another TWW 9175-2). She is trying to build interest member, to widen our programming Alex asked if we could get one—a about Dom Robert here in the States, opportunities. main page plus member gallery pages. and hopes to organize a show with the If you would like to volunteer, Deborah said for a non-profit it would help of another monk she knows who please contact TWW president probably cost around $500 for a was Dom Robert’s caretaker. Jan Langdon at [email protected] simple design and $50-100 for an ISP or 415-663-1492. to host the site; we would also need more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  3 January 2009 Meeting Notes, continued

to pay a Webmaster to maintain the Filling TWW Bo ar d Po s i t i o n s site Deborah emphasized that we do Vice President Alex has announced 2009 TWW Meetings have the funds to pay for all this. Mimi that she will step up to be V.P. on the Schedule is tempted to get involved, but would condition that it doesn’t automatically March 21 at Sonja Miremont’s like more info before committing. Alex evolve into becoming President (which volunteered to be the contact person home; Sonja will present the it commonly does). program on “Mounting Small for this project (see page 2). Secretary Mimi has volunteered for Tapestries” May 16 at the studio of Alex Pay i n g TWW Po s i t i o n s /Tasks this position, since she already per- forms most of these functions. Friedman; program tbd Deborah suggested we consider the Program Chairperson This very September 19 at the studio of Yael possibility of paying Mimi for her work Lurie and Jean Pierre Larochette; important position is currently open. on the newsletter, and paying others program tbd for other involved work. Jan has requested a call for volunteers (see page 3).

6

March 2009 Meeting Date & Program

Show & Tell in Petaluma specializing in the conservation of Fr o m So u t h /San Francisco artwork and textiles, for over 20 years. Take US-101 North across the GG The next meeting of Tapestry Weavers I shall present various ways of mount- Bridge to Petaluma. Exit Petaluma West will take place March 21 at Sonja ing small tapestries and show several Blvd, which becomes Petaluma Blvd Miremont’s home in Petaluma: examples. Bring any small tapestries, South, into downtown Petaluma. Turn 10:30 Coffee and tea mounted or not, for discussion and left at Washington St, which becomes 11:00 Group show & tell suggestions. I look forward to seeing Bodega Ave; continue eastward on 12:15 Potluck lunch—please bring you on March 21! — Sonja Miremont Bodega Ave. about 2 miles. Turn left at something to share Middle Two Rock Rd and go about 1 1:15 Business meeting Directions to So n j a ’s Ho me mile. Turn right at Shelina Vista Lane. 156 Shelina Vista Lane Fr o m East Bay /Berkeley Description Petaluma, CA 94952 Take I-580 West, crossing the Richmond- The March meeting at our house will 707-778-8267 San Rafael Bridge. Take the exit onto be about the mounting of small tapes- [email protected] US-101 North to Petaluma. Exit Petaluma tries. I have done custom framing, Blvd, which becomes Petaluma Blvd South, into downtown Petaluma. Turn B TO S left at Washington St, which becomes anta R Bodega Ave; continue eastward on Petaluma Blvd Exit osa Bodega Ave. about 2 miles. Turn left at Middle Two Rock Rd and go about 1 mile. Turn right at Shelina Vista Lane. Fr o m No rt h /Sa n ta Ro sa Skillman Ln Pe Take US-101 South to Petaluma. Exit at ta l u Petaluma Blvd and turn right onto

m 101

a Petaluma Blvd North (signs for Peta-

B Shelina Vista Ln

l

v luma). After about 1 mile, turn right at

Bodega Ave d

Skillman Lane, continuing eastward N Eucalyptus Rd to the end, about 2.5 miles. Follow Downtown road left onto Eucalyptus Rd crossing Petaluma Middle Two Rock Rd Bodega Ave and continue to Middle Bodega Ave P Two Rock Rd. Turn left at Middle Two et al Rock Rd. Turn left at Shelina Vista Lane. um a B lvd S 6 TO SF Petaluma Blvd Exit

A Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  4 Features Water Songs Tapestries: Jean Pierre Larochette and Notes on Designing, Weaving Yael Lurie Publish Their Book, and Collaborative Work Water Songs Tapestries Commentary by Laura Perez, UC Berkeley associate professor, Ethnic Studies Co mme n tary by Laura E. Pérez 50 pages, with 11 color Only song can respond to the call that images and 9 black-and-white are the nine tapestries that together illustrations form the “Water Songs” of my friends, the artists Jean Pierre Larochette and US $30 (includes postage) Yael Lurie. The heart recognizes its To order your copy of Water own mute, but pulsating language, in Songs Tapestries please send the visions, dilated in meditation, of your check to: the natural world. Jean-Pierre Larochette “Water Songs” is a book in the way 2216 Grant Street that our ancestors taught that nature Berkeley, CA 94703 was a sacred writ. For some, it will appear an epic of the esoteric, of that which lies beneath the surface, captured in details which are, perforce, symbols of the archetypal story of being and becoming, of the identity of the individualized and the all-encom- passing whole. And, it is a song of joy, of awe, of praise and celebration, of the human soul in sweet embrace with Returning A churning ocean, sun Yosemite Golden rain falls in gentle, the spirit of all creation. sets upon the foam. In brief space, the steady murmur upon primordial walls. eventide shall sweep away a shallow All is movement and alive. Rain’s A Well of Living barricade. A snake, entwined upon a become the tongue of stones and Waters From the bamboo stake, invites a change of skin. chant is heard that has no words. divinely vibrat- ing nothingness, Quietude Creation thickened amidst Watershed Browns starbursts of energy. the densely gathered wet. A toad criss- are quickened in Here, sky, there crosses the forest floor, its croaking, a lifeblood and woven nighttime reflection lover’s canticle. Greens and blues and is the ebb and flow. upon the sea. Water lavenders in steady, joyful presence. The loom is singing drops collecting as Seven Generations the One Song. All is fountain, matter The weaving yields, One, then not, then blooming into gar- weft pulled apart is again. den. All script in the that we might peer at Book of Life. traces of each other in No te o n Pr o cess a n d Materials The River in One The palette grows: the now, before, and lavender, magenta, pink reds, and orange after. All ancestors, all The tapestries com- browns. Across the moonlit mist a progeny, we are bound prising this series are rainbow braids the lion maned waves. one to the other as to hand woven in the ourselves by threads of traditional Aubus- Seminal From deepest blue to a wash soil and of silver. son technique, on low-warp , so light, the pattern beneath, within, from life-size designs. The cotton warp fades from view. Yet, at that moment, Waterfall was set at 12 warps per inch. The weft like a fist piercing paper: a stand The weaver unleashes, in horizontal yarns are wool, silk, mercerized cot- of roses. The fire and water of six- strokes, meandering torrents of shape ton, linen, synthetic and metallic gold, pointed stars now, here, green leaves. and color. The glimmering rush rounds and metallic silver. Bud to bloom, again and again. Time in time the massive rocks and greens bound if patterned. gone brown, ground blue waters. more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  5 Features: Water Songs Tapestries, continued

Designer Yael Lurie and Tapestry Aubusson tapestry weaver. Jean Pierre Laura E. Pérez writes about the arts. She is Weaver Jean Pierre Larochette have apprenticed at his father’s workshop an associate professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, collaborated on work for over four and in 1963-64 studied and worked Berkeley, and the author of Chicana decades and across three continents. under the direction of internationally Art: The Politics of Spiritual and Aesthetic Based in Berkeley, California since known French tapestry artist Jean Lur- Altarities (Duke University Press, 2007). 1972, they exhibit and hold workshops çat. He was co-founder and director This article is reprinted with the internationally. of the San Francisco Tapestry Work- permission of Jean Pierre Larochette. shop and teacher at the San Francisco Yael Lurie was born in Kibbutz 6 Givath-Brenner, Israel, the daughter State University textile program in the of Jacob Lurie, a painter and teacher. 1970s and ’80s. After apprenticing with her father They have completed numerous she studied with Jacob Wexler and commissions for temples and have at Leshem Mosaic Workshop. Jean works in public and private collections Pierre Larochette was born in Buenos throughout the United States, Mexico, Aires, Argentina, the son of Armand Brazil, and Argentina. Larochette, a third generation French •

Feature

Retreat in El Tuito the Larochette studio each year, but Museum” situated on the malacon that is not exactly what happened. As with a magnificent view of the Bay of Essay and Photos by Jackie a second, shorter session was added Banderas. Wollenberg in response to popular demand, the Each year the group wandered For the last seven years Jean Pierre longer, 13 day retreat eventually grew through local El Tuito streets and Larochette and Yael Lurie have been into repeat visits by a nearly consis- gardens in search of design themes for inviting a small group of tapestry tent group of the same seven people. tapestry samples. Last year Jean Pierre weavers to their winter home and For the last five years, this group has and Yael suggested focusing on images studio, located in the small town of El brought small format pieces from of corn—dry, in and out of husks. The Tuito, Mexico. The original expecta- home to exhibit, first in El Tuito and corn was an instant hit with the group. tion was that different weavers would later in Puerto Vallarta. Our 2009 So many interesting textures, colors, probably travel down to experience venue for the show was a “Marine lines and shadows revealed them- selves. In his usual poetic manner, Jean Pierre discussed visual and philosophi- cal tangents that might be followed while pursuing our shapes and images. We learned that, at the time we were zeroing in on corn, a million people were chanting in Mexico City to protest the tragic and unfair demise of corn in their country. “Sin maiz, no hay pais,” the words coined by a Mexican writer and activist, registered with us and touched our hearts. While on our yearly excursions to coastal beaches, we photographed our group in a verdant cornfield. Papayas were planted in the young shade of corn plants—good Mexican agricul- C Jackie Wollenberg, Corn Oblique C Sonja Miremont, Queen Maiz ture. We studied our photographs to more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  6 C Victoria Stone, Snake C Jean Pierre Larochette, Retablo

Feature: Retreat in El Tuito, continued

find our favorite distant and close-up exhibit with us unfortunately broke that Ann is a “Corn Maiden” through approaches to the subject. We her wrist just before leaving for the and through. informally began to call ourselves the workshop and was unable to make A new north coast weaver, Nancy “Corn Maidens” and decided that we the trip or deliver her tapestries. This Trissel, from Gualala, joined us at the would all weave small format images was Ann Dumper who is also a TWW last minute for both workshops and featuring corn for this year’s exhibit member. Our warmest sympathies go I’m sure TWW will find her an active in Puerto Vallarta. I don’t think there out to her. participant in its future activities. was a dry eye in the studio as the In March, the images from this year’s small tapestries took their places on We will keep you informed of the exhibit will be placed on the Pacific latest weaving and exhibiting of the the studio wall for a first look at what Textile Arts web site (www.pacifictex- we had done. Words cannot describe “Corn Maidens” and their auxiliary tilearts.org). If possible we will include members. how happy we were to see the year’s photographs of Ann Dumper’s pieces, combined work done by this group which never made it. But we all know 6 of weavers who had grown so close despite living some distance from one another. Several weavers from the sec- ond session, coming from Arizona and Texas, also exhibited with us, as did Jean Pierre and his daughter, Yadin. The exhibit was enthusiastically received by the crowds. Friends came down from El Tuito as did people from Vallarta. Artists, textile enthusiasts, and visiting tourists from far-off places gave rave reviews of the show. It seems that corn is a subject that easily wins both hearts and minds. Puerto Vallarta Four of the weavers in the show are members of TWW and three are weavers from Canada who maintain A a close relationship with us. One of El Tuito the Canadians who was supposed to

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  7 Features

France Needs Weavers! For more information, please phone Evelyn at 510-528-0917. If you decide At the January meeting, Evelyn Goodman you would like to visit the school, recounted her trip to Creuse, in the Evelyn will put you in touch with her Aubusson, heart of France and the Aubusson tapes- sister, who will connect you to the Creuse try region, where she visited the tapestry right person. museum and toured the workshop. Evelyn’s sister, herself a printmaker, The artists weave new pieces as well as lives in Creuse and rents out her house restore old works, and teach classes in four months of the year. The comfy weaving, making, and dyeing. house has beautiful views, is “comput- However, the school is in dire need er-friendly,” and has good amenities. of new weavers: the weaving popula- Creuse is full of possibilities—it is close B Blason ville Aubusson tion is aging, and there now remain to the city of Tours, and, being in the (Coat of arms of only three teachers—not enough to region where Cézanne and many other Aubusson) keep all classes open. Evelyn says the French Impressionists lived, Creuse has workshops are marvelous, but there’s many artists’ communities and lots nobody to use them. of active workshops. The town is laid The remaining weavers really do want back, and people seem to have more to teach, and urge those interested to time to be able to do their own work. B Blason département Creuse (Coat of arms of go to Creuse to for training, and then Become Creusois (or Creusoise) today! the Creuse department) work at Aubusson. 6

Exhibits

Nordic Moods Includes three of Michael F. Rohdes Riverside Art Museum rugs: Partita, Botanical Maze, and 3425 Mission Inn Ave. • Th r o u g h March 15, 2009 Pastorale Riverside CA 92501 Maj-Britt Mobrand has a piece in this Muckenthaler Cultural Center www.riversideartmuseum.org exhibition of paintings, prints, photog- 1201 West Malvern Avenue 951 684-7111 raphy, textiles, and ceramics. Fullerton, CA Norwegian Seamen’s Church www.TheMuck.org Web and Flow: National 2454 Hyde St., San Francisco, CA 866-411-1212 Juried Basket Exhibition www.sjomannskirken.no/sanfrancisco 415-775-6566 Designing Weavers • Th r o u g h April 18, 2009 Tues–Fri 11am–5pm, Sat–Sun Jurors: Jan Peters of Del Mano Gallery 10am–4pm • Th r o u g h April 4, 2009 and Bruce Hoffman of Snyderman Established in 1975, Designing Weav- Works. Co-sponsored by National ers is a nationally recognized juried Basketry Organization. fiber guild known for the diverse range Includes one of Michael F. Rohde’s Michael F. Rohdes has works in these of work produced by its members and House Vessels: Funky Festive House three shows: is based in Los Angeles, California. Riverside Art Museum will display 25 Textile Center Progress and Ideals: woven pieces from its professional art- 3000 University Ave SE 21st Century Arts & Crafts ist members. Minneapolis, MN www.textilecentermn.org • Th r o u g h March 29, 2009 Includes two of Michael F. Rohde’s 612-436-0464 tapestries: No Terra Incognita and An invitational group exhibition of Transition works in glass, textile, metal, wood and ceramic. more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  8 B Wen Lihua, Dance of Rainbow Light, wool, embroidery A xu Wanru, Birds, 71″ x 34″, wool tapestry

D Lin Lecheng, Memory of Childhood, 46″ x 70″, tapestry and weave Photos: T ricia Gol db er g an d S hari Katz

C Li Dapeng, The Thinker 3, 40″ x 40″, wool tapestry C Ni Yuenhong, Floating House, Gobelin tapestry B Liu Hui and Wang Jian, Past Like Mist, 59″ x 35″, wool tapestry

Exhibits, continued

Changing Landscapes: in the Beijing Biennials beginning in is a wonderful remembrance from that Contemporary 2000. The Beijing exhibitions began inspiring afternoon. after the International Tapestry Chinese Fiber Art I really didn’t have expectations, Biennale exhibitions in Lausanne, except in the vaguest sense, that the Switzerland (1962ñ1992) were no • t h r o u g h April 26 work would be very fine, with possibly longer held. Twenty-five of the art- more traditional imagery. A lot of the I had the pleasure of attending the ists came from China, which was work is bold and contemporary with very well-attended and exciting exciting for them and for those of artists exploring new themes for their opening of the exhibition Changing us in attendance. Student volunteer country, and many of the pieces were Landscapes: Contemporary Chinese Fiber translators were there so we could very personal. Many of the artists are Art, beginning with a wonderful tour ask the artists about their work. Also, also exploring non-traditional materi- presided over by curator Deborah there is an excellent catalog, and I was als. I was happy that about half the art- Corsini. The exhibition, at the San lucky enough to have my not-at-all- ists are women, and many are young. Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles shy friend, Shari Katz, visiting from Tricia Goldberg through April 26, is presented with Portland, who photographed the Tsinghua University, Beijing. The 45 reception and asked many of the art- artworks are from work exhibited ists to sign their page in my catalog. It more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  9 Exhibits, continued

Textiles and Wall San Jose Museum of According to Deborah Corsini, tap- Paintings from India Quilts & Textiles estry weaving, with its long history, is well represented here in all of in its • April 2–May 24, 2009 Co n n ect i o n s : Sma l l Tapestry rich diversity, its meticulous crafts- Ope n i n g April 5, 2009 In ter n at i o n a l manship and its inspired vocabulary • Premiering May 5, 2009 of idea. “A wide range of ideas and Petaluma Arts Center styles—from the traditional to experi- 230 Lakeville Street Sponsored by the American Tapestry mental, from the realistic to abstract— Petaluma, CA 94952 Alliance, with a donation from TWW, are showcased and the technique is 707-762-5600 Connections: Small Tapestry International thriving in the talented hands of these Thurs–Mon, Noon–4pm features a stunning range of 48 small artists. Although small in scale the (closed Tues and Wed) format tapestries. exhibited works express a powerful This exhibit features mainly embroidery Connections was juried by Jane Sauer and imaginative creative voice.” textiles and wall paintings from India of Jane Sauer Gallery in Santa Fe, Several programs are planned in con- collected by clients of mine. I have NM. The intimate scale—100 square junction with the exhibitions: done conversation framing and instal- inches—creates a provocative challenge lations on most of their art collection, for the artist weavers. All the elements and it is a gorgeous collection! I hope of design, material choice, color, set, Co l l ect o rs , Co l l a b o rat i o n s & Co mm i ss i o n s you can see it. and concept become sharply honed • May 10, 2009; 1pm Sonja Miremont and finely tuned in this format. A conversation with John M.Walsh III, Penny McMorris, and artists Judith Content and Joan Schulze.

Co n n ect i o n s Artists Talk • May 10, 2009; 3pm B Binary Codes: Shawl, Barbara Heller, 9″ x 7″, wool, rayon, silk, metallics, linen warp A conversation with a number of the Connections exhibiting artists. D Bottle of Red, Sarah Swett, 9″ x 9″, wool , natural dyes To o l k i t o f Tapestry Techniques • May 11–13, 2009; 9am–5pm each d ay Workshop taught by Christine Laffer.

Th e Rising Tide—Cl i mate Ch a n g e a n d San Francisco Bay Wetlands Raising En v i r o n me n ta l Awareness f o r Water t h r o u g h Textile Art • May 17, 2009; 2–4pm Lectures by Adam Parris and Linda Gass. For details on these and other events, visit http://sjquiltmuseum.org/ calendar_may.html • Congratulations to the following B Jean Pierre Larochette, Retablo of TWW members who will be exhibiting the Farmer, 12.5″ x 7.75″, wool, silk, in Small Format at the SJMQT!!! cotton, metallic gold on cotton Tricia Goldberg, Marianne Haller, Barbara Heller

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Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  10 Conferences & Workshops

Tapestry Demonstration and Installation in Vallejo, CA

Vallejo Residents Learn Ab o u t Tapestry in Jo h n F. Ke n n e d y Library Demonstrations & Di sp l ays • Sat u r d ay , March 14, n o o n –3pm Joan McColgan and Nancy Jackson will demonstrate tapestry weaving for the public on Saturday, March 14, from noon to 3pm in the main reading room at the John F. Ken- nedy Library, 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA 94590, (866) 572-7587. Curious library visitors, both adults and children, will be encouraged to ask

P h o t s : N ancy J acks n questions and to sit at the loom and try weaving. To augment the demon- stration and encourage interest over a longer period of time, Joan and Nancy installed two displays in the main reading room of the library. These will remain for 6–8 weeks. Important Dates

Register No w ; Co n fere n ce April 24–27 CNCH Conference in Sonoma, CA . . . .11 Sh are d Experiences: Conversa- No w t h r o u g h March 15 Tapestry Workshop with Nordic Moods exhibit, San Francisco, CA . . 8 Jean-Pierre Larochette t i o n s On a n d Off t h e Lo o m Join us for in-depth tapestry discus- No w t h r o u g h March 29 and Yael Lurie Progress and Ideals: 21st Century Arts & sions, sharing your ideas, concerns, Crafts, Fullerton, CA ...... 8 • April 24–27, 2009, at t h e CNCH and views. Bring your warp-ready loom and a sample of your work that No w t h r o u g h April 4 Co n fere n ce in So n o ma , CA Designing Weavers, Riverside, CA . . . . 8 illustrates your most demanding • Register No w : questions, be it about warping, image April 24–27 Classes are Filling up Fast developing and weaving techniques, CNCH Conference, Sonoma, CA . . . . .11 The 2009 Conference of Northern finishing processes, tools, styles or any No w t h r o u g h April 26 California Handweavers (CNCH) other issue you would like to explore. Changing Landscapes: Contemporary includes a workshop with Jean-Pierre Together we will discuss and select Chinese Fiber Art, San Jose, CA . . . . . 9 Larochette and Yael Lurie. We want the most challenging questions for April 2–May 24, to ensure that this wonderful opportu- problem solving for hands-on exercises Ope n i n g Reception April 5 nity is conveyed to the tapestry for the group. Textiles and Wall Paintings from India, community. It is a 2½ day workshop Petaluma, CA ...... 10 Experience Weavers with tapes- to be held April 24–27, 2009 in try experience. Students will bring a Premiering May 5, Sonoma, CA. Wo r k s h o ps May 10–17 tapestry in progress and/or a warped Connections: Small Tapestry International, Conference details can be found at tapestry loom. San Jose, CA ...... 10 www.cnch.org. Materials Fee None Registration Dea d l i n e Ju n e 15 Co n fere n ce Ju ly 21–24 15th European Textile Network Conference, Austria ...... 12 more 

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  11 Conferences & Workshops, continued

The 15th European Textile Network Conference

• Ju ly 21–24, 2009 in Haslach, Upper Austria • Registration Dea d l i n e : Ju n e 15 Registration is now open for the 15th ETN Conference in Haslach, Austria, to the theme of “Cultural Revival of Old Textile Centers – New Educa- Member Profile tional Challenges.” The conference takes place in a former weaving mill Janine Bajus in a small town situated about 40 km I’d like to further introduce a new Northwest of Linz in a very beautiful member of TWW, Janine Bajus. If landscape. The strong focus on Jacquard you attended our last meeting you is due to the Jacquard looms in the got to meet her. I had the pleasure of new Textile Centre in Haslach! There being her teacher this winter. Janine are several speakers specialized on is from Seattle, but lives in Berkeley Jacquard e.g. Louise Lemieux Bérubé, now. She arrived at my studio with Bethanne Knudson & Pauline Verbeek the wish to learn to weave tapestries, from the Oriole Jacquard Mill in a wish she’s had for 30 years! She’s Hendersonville/USA, Eva Basile from very knowledgeable about tapestry Lisio in Florence. There is a nice visit weavers and techniques. It was a treat to Vienna before the conference and a to work with such a dedicated, careful, trip to the Czech Republic afterwards. and enthusiastic student. Janine is an Just come and join us! expert knitter and spinner and teaches For more information, please see knitting as well. ETN’s website for the up-to-date To learn more about her: Conference program: www.ETN-net. http://feralknitter.typepad.com/ Photo: T ricia Gol db er g org/etn/211e.htm, or contact ETN-Secretariat Beatrijs Sterk at: Welcome! [email protected] Tricia Goldberg

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Glimåkra Weaving Studio

Maj-Britt Mobrand Instruction • Looms for Sale 2350 Spaulding Street • Berkeley, CA 94703 Phone (510) 549-0326

I have available for sale cotton rug warp in assorted sizes. I will give TWW members a 10% discount, but need to charge sales tax unless you have a resale number. I am a dealer for Unicorn Books & Crafts, so I can get anything they carry.

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  12 TWW Business

TWW Board Members TWW Membership Dues TWW Newsletter

Elected Po s i t i o n s fr o m 2008 If you wish to join TWW or renew Our newsletter is published four times (2009 results are tbd): your membership, please send a check a year, before each meeting. Our next President Jan Langdon, for $25 made out to “TWW” to : edition will be published at the end of [email protected]. Carol Kazanjian, TWW Treasurer April. Vice President Alex Friedman, 160 Kit Carson Court Submissions deadlines f o r t h e [email protected] Santa Clara, CA 95050 April edition: April 15 for digital- Programming Chair position vacant 408-984-4837 format articles and ads; April 10 for non-digital articles and ads. Treasurer Carol Kazanjian, Membership dues for 2009 are now 408-984-4837 past due. Please note that dues left Members are encouraged to write about unpaid will result in discontinued your tapestries and other tapestry- Secretary Mimi Heft, [email protected] membership. Kindly remit your check related events, exhibition and book now to avoid having your membership reviews, announcements, etc. Members discontinued. are also welcome to advertise your Volunteer p o s i t i o n s : textile-related businesses, classes, sup- Membership Roster & Chair Nancy TWW Roster plies, and services. This free service is Jackson, [email protected] available only to TWW members. Newsletter Editor Mimi Heft, Members w i t h Ema i l All TWW Please send submissions to Mimi Heft [email protected] members with email will receive at [email protected]. The news- TWW Historians Sonja Miremont, roster updates whenever there are job letter is sent via email. For members [email protected]; Marcia Ellis, changes, contact info changes, or addi- without email, please send 4 SASE to [email protected] tions of new members. Mimi at: Portfolio Maintenance Alex Friedman, Members w i t h o u t Ema i l Members Mimi Heft, TWW Newsletter Editor [email protected] without email will receive their news- 1001-B Guerrero St. Portfolio Committee letter by mail. A snail-mail roster will San Francisco, CA 94110 Barbara Heller, chair for 2009 be sent at renewal time if the member 415-623-4563 [email protected]; has not renewed, so that they can see [email protected] Maj-Britt Mobrand, chair in 2010 what their status is according to TWW [email protected] records, and another roster will be Errata: Please send corrections to [email protected]. Corrections are Exhibition Mailing List Coordinator sent in May or June when the mem- published in the next edition, unless Jan Moore, [email protected] bership has solidified for the year. time-sensitive (eg. incorrect date for Slide/Video Librarian Care Standley, Please destroy or delete old rosters. upcoming event), in which case I will [email protected] Please notify me of corrections or send out an addendum rather than missing information: hold for publishing. Nancy Jackson 6 TWW Membership & Roster [email protected]

Tapestry Weavers West  March 2009  13