Dream Weavers: The Art of the Loom

October 9, 2011 – December 30, 2011

The discovery of fibers and the methods used to spin them into yarn and weave yarn into cloth evolved over many thousands of years. As a result, most textile traditions arose from the need, imagination, and creativity of people from the past. Weaving initially began with the interlacing of plant materials to form mats and baskets. Textiles, defined as felt or spun fibers made into yarn and subsequently netted, looped, knitted, or woven to make fabrics, appeared in the Middle East when early agriculture people learned to spin plant fibers, such as flax and cotton, to make cloth. This ultimately evolved into the use of wool and silk by later cultures including peoples from ancient China, India, and Egypt. Consequently, clothing and textiles have been important in human history and reflect the materials available to a civilization, as well as the technologies that it has mastered, hence, the social significance of the finished product reflects their culture. From ancient times to the present day, methods of textile production have continually evolved, and the choices of textiles available have influenced how peple carried their possessions, clothed themselves, decorated their surroundings, and carried on the stories and traditions of their ancestors.

The Dream Weavers: The Art of the Loom exhibit at The Shaker Historical Society seeks to continue this tradition by displaying the beautiful wares of nine prominents local textile artists–Leslie Alperin, Jodie Kantor, Miriam Lidsky, Elinor Polster, Rose Rubin, Nancy Tovar, Horst of Horst Couture, and Robbie Grodin and Donna Christley of Alpaca Fiber Studio–in contrast with the functional and practical clothing and textiles of the North Union Shakers. North Union items on display will include blankets, textiles, dresses, spinning wheels, and sewing and weaving accessories and will trace the textile-making process from wool on the sheep to final product. Come view each piece in the exhibit and you’ll see that each imparts its own story.

Programming and events will be help throughout the duration of the exhibit including programs on shearing, carding, spinning, weaving, and design.

Curated by Charlotte Cowan and Susie Zimmer.