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Tapestry Instruction: Helping Hands

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The Helping Hands program is designed for beginning tapestry weavers who want to explore tapestry with the guidance and mentoring of a more experienced tapestry weaver. 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. The student must be an ATA Circle member.

To enroll in the Helping Hands program, interested students must submit an application form and confirm their Circle Level membership to the Helping Hands Chair. The chair matches the student with a mentoring teacher. The student, under guidance from the mentor, decides on the specific course of his/her study. Any expenses incurred – postage, phone calls etc, are the sole responsibility of the student. Mentoring teachers are volunteering their valuable time and students need to be considerate of this.

Student’s Responsibilities

  • A six-month time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement)
  • Prepare a list of realistic goals and objectives to complete in six months
  • Describe any finished project that you hope to complete
  • Propose a timetable for submitting samples, drawings, etc.
  • Pay for any expenses incurred during the program; and
  • Submit a final report to the ATA Distance Learning Chair.

Mentoring Teacher’s Responsibilities

  • A six-month time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement)
  • Help the student set realistic goals for this six-month time frame
  • Provide direction, support and expertise as the student requires
  • Recommend additional sources for information and tapestry workshops
  • Evaluate progress during the course of study by critique
  • Submit a final report to the ATA Distance Learning Chair.

Application for Study  submit the following information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone
  • E-mail
  • Describe your tapestry or other weaving experiences including workshops, classes, years weaving, and number of completed tapestries
  • Describe what you want to accomplish during this six-month study
  • Explain why you are interested in tapestry

Please send information to:

Traudi Bestler
16026 Excelsior Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55345
952-974-3798
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