Weaver's Worlds: Navajo Weaving (Making Workshop)
Explore Navajo weaving, an iconic art of the Native American Southwest. Navajo weavers have protected and perfected the craft of weaving over two centuries. Rooted deeply in Navajo philosophy and spirituality, the history and economy of weaving includes fascinating stories of adaptation and persistence through colonial and military conflict, the development of rug styles for the new trade economy, and the ongoing refinement of garments, rugs, and fine art by some of today’s leading specialists.
Learning alongside early classic woven garments and rugs in the Penn Museum’s historic collection, discover Navajo peoples’ networks of relationships through their land, techniques, and teachings that fuel and inspire the beauty and balance of Navajo textile design. This workshop includes three parts: an introductory overview of Navajo weaving with Dr. Lucy Fowler Williams, a close look at the technical and design elements of exceptional Navajo textiles in Penn Museum’s collection, and time and instruction to make your own small weft faced tapestry weaving inspired by Navajo ideas.
Lucy Fowler Williams, Ph.D., is Associate Curator-in-Charge and Sabloff Keeper of American Collections. A specialist in Southwest textiles, her recent exhibitions include Native American Voices: The People, Here and Now and the Barnes Foundation’s Water Wind Breath: Southwest Art in Community (2022).
Free with Penncard. Dinner and materials provided. First come first served.
Making Workshops are Museum-sponsored events that encourage Penn undergraduate and graduate students to become more familiar with the Museum’s collection by getting their hands involved. These events provide a fun and educational setting to promote social interaction and engage students with artifacts and ethnographic objects. Create something related to the objects or theme of the night!
