Education

Distance Learning

Chair: Barbara Heller

The distance learning program is designed for intermediate tapestry weavers who want to pursue an in depth study of a tapestry topic with guidance and mentoring from a more experienced tapestry weaver. An intermediate weaver is defined as someone who can warp a loom and who has woven several small tapestries or samplers. This is meant to be a self directed and well-defined program of study. Students are encouraged to narrow the range of study so that it can be completed within one year. (read more here)

Helping Hands

Chair: Joyce Hayes 

The Helping Hands distance learning program is designed for beginning tapestry weavers who want to begin exploring tapestry with guidance and mentoring from a more experienced tapestry weaver. The student must be an ATA member.  A beginning weaver is defined as someone who has little experience or one who has completed an introductory level workshop.  This program will introduce students to warping a loom, shape building, warp and weft balance, and beginning cartoon development. (read more here)

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Online Study Groups

Online Study group September 2009: Political Lines in Tapestry

Facilitated by Christine Laffer

Political events are not foreign to tapestry weavers. Whether working on The Lady and the Unicorn or The 9-11 Memorial Tapestry Project, weavers spend as much time thinking as they do passing bobbins. What kinds of politics lie in the threads of the Constantine Tapestries? Does a community tapestry project result in a different sense of identity?

This study group intends to discuss several of these tapestry-specific questions in order to understand the depth to which political structures affect/have affected work in our field. Participants will have an opportunity to share perspectives and experiences related to the topics. The goals of this study group will be set by its participants who wish to challenge themselves in their thinking. Each participant agrees in advance to respect political difference while meeting the goals of the group.

How to apply:
Members of ATA who are interested in taking part or need more information
should contact Dorothy Clews at: warp122000 at yahoo.co.uk (substitute @ for
"at" when addressing your email). Participants are limited to 10 per study
group.

Online Critique Group

Members are reminded that there is space at the ATA Forum site for Online
Critique Groups. If there are a group of you who are interested in forming
such a group and discussing your current work online in a private forum
please contact Dorothy Clews for more information.

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Other Education Programs

To further reach our education program goals, ATA hosts an open session at a national conference every two years (HGA's Convergence) with presentations and open discussions on current topics. Collaborations with other organizations result in periodic symposia and events, such as the upcoming. Check our Education page here.

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Exhibitions

ATA's primary method of attaining its program outreach goals is to mount and tour an international juried exhibition every two years. The ATA Biennials bring the best of international contemporary handwoven tapestry into a coherent show. These exhibitions provide opportunities in the field by a) setting high standards of excellence; b) touring across North America; c) triggering articles; and d) publishing a catalogue with critical essays.

These exhibitions usually draw excellent attendance to the host museums and art centers. Tapestry is rarely exhibited and, as a result, it draws a mixed audience (from across the economic spectrum) of people who view it as non-threatening, approachable, and enjoyed by young audiences. An estimated 9,000 viewers saw ATB4 in 2002-2003. In Carlsbad, California, 28 groups of local school children visited the show.

For more information about our current Exhibitions, check here.