Previous Events

We in WARP talk a lot about the importance of passing artisan traditions on from one generation to the next, and at the same time the difficulty of doing so in this new social-media infused world. Our speakers today have all written books for and/or about children that aim to help bridge the gap, each from a very different perspective.

EN ESPAÑOL Jessica Elena Aquino es una artista multidisciplinaria chicana de primera generación de Santa Ana, California, cuya práctica abarca la fibra, la escultura y el grabado. Reimagina objetos encontrados, fotografías familiares y artefactos culturales, como las hojas de maíz, en reliquias y recuerdos personales, explorando temas de migración, memoria y conexión con la tierra.

Jessica Elena Aquino is a first-generation Chicanx multidisciplinary artist from Santa Ana, CA, whose practice spans fiber, sculpture, and printmaking. She reimagines found objects, family photographs, and cultural artifacts—such as cornhusks—into personal relics and mementos, exploring themes of migration, memory, and connection to the land.

Textiles often preserve and retain/reflect a culture’s beliefs, values, identities, history, future, and social structure, to name a few key concepts. Keeping traditional textile practices alive in a changing world can be an arduous process involving time, energy, persistence, and commitment. Recognizing the contributions and perspectives of past, current, and future artisans can bring many questions to the forefront.

Free and Open to All. In 1966, local people in the Alberta and Gee’s Bend area of Alabama embarked on a journey to restore and rebuild their local economy through a quilting cooperative.  During the late 1950's through the early 1960's, this rural town's families were in the midst of losing their homes, lands and rights to vote. With the help of Father X. Walter, many volunteers, the women of Gee's Bend, alongside the strong leadership of Estelle Witherspoon, the Bee’s first president, the Freedom Quilting Bee was established.

WARP Members Only Program. Amy Thompson received her B.Sc. from BYU in archaeology and a minor in botany where she also volunteered and worked at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures.  Here she discovered that textiles could be a focus of study as she worked with the many collections in the museum. Her current research focuses on fiber, textile testing and sustainability, and creative scholarship. 

WARP Members Only Program. Sustainability matters! It's time to change the way we make and appreciate textiles. As people who value the textile arts, how can we promote and incorporate sustainability? Let's get the discussion going so that we can start taking action!

Free and Open to All. Andean Textile Arts is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the people and communities of the Andes in their efforts to preserve and revitalize their textile traditions. In this presentation, board members will share an overview of ATA's diverse programs!

EN ESPAÑOL Kate Colwell, miembro de WARP desde hace 10 años, fabrica textiles desde su más tierna infancia y ha estado involucrada en el cuidado de la salud durante casi el mismo tiempo. Actualmente jubilada de varias carreras en el área de la salud, Kate se alegra de que la pandemia esté llegando a su fin para poder retomar sus planes de viajar más.

Kate Colwell has been making textiles since early childhood  and has been involved with healthcare nearly as long. Currently retired from several healthcare careers, Kate is glad the pandemic is winding down so she can get back to plans for more travel.

Teena Jennings began her professional textile life as a museum conservator. She learned to spin and weave and use natural dyes. Earning a Ph.D. studying culturally relevant textiles, she taught all manner of textile-related courses before retiring six years ago.

How does a school help to facilitate the dreams of a student and help them identify and reach their goals? - or even the dreams and goals of an instructor? Haywood Community College’s Weaving/Fiber Program has done just that since 1977.