Continuing Hybrid Navajo Weaving Techniques: Beginning and Intermediate

Description

Continuing Hybrid Navajo Weaving Techniques Class Description:

Continuing Hybrid Navajo Weaving Techniques helps you develop and advance your Navajo techniques education with Diné instructors Jennie Slick and Gloria Begay.   Beginning and Intermediate students will build on their knowledge to make more perfect joins, plan designs, and learn about the textile market.   Both beginner and intermediate students will learn how to prevent and manage problems as they arise.   Continuing Online Navajo Weaving Techniques helps beginning students with second pieces and will help both beginners and intermediate students deal with design and yarn selection.  Each week, we will have a presentation on an outstanding weaver or style of weaving.  Assistance is available between classes.  

We are now able to offer you the chance to attend your class in person if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  In-person students must wear a mask at all times during class.  You can also attend class virtually.  You can combine the virtual and in-person options as needed.  You can be 100% online, 100% virtual, or any combination that works for you.  We will do our best to give virtual students a quality experience that is as close to having you here in person as we can get.  

Tuition for Continuing Hybrid Navajo Weaving Techniques is $175.  You should be familiar with basic Navajo weaving, and you should be able to warp your loom before the first class.    You can take the class multiple times if you would like to.  We limit enrollment to four students per session, so you’ll get plenty of attention.  Can’t fit this session into your schedule?  Check out our other classes! 

Pre-requisites

• You must be able to warp your own loom. 
• You should know how to weave stripes and have some experience with joins.  

What to Expect in Hybrid Online Navajo Weaving Techniques

The topics covered are wide-ranging.  They are student-driven.  There is usually a “culture corner” during the class.  We will try to provide with information on any aspect of Navajo weaving that you’re interested in.  Here are some of the areas of concentration, but they’re not limited!

• Let’s weave!  You should have your loom warped and ready to start weaving, but it’s OK if you want to warp during class.  Jennie and Gloria will assess your weaving and help you set your goals for the course.  They’ll talk about using side selvage cords, and we will discuss design considerations.  Be ready to talk about your previous weaving experience and show your work so that Gloria and Jennie can assess your weaving level and help you progress.  
• We’ll pester you if you always put your fork down and discuss efficient weaving techniques.  We’ll look at how outlining can add visual impact to your design.  We will discuss regional weaving styles.
• We’ll talk about aspects of design.   Gloria and Jennie will allow you to go as far as you want to with design, but you may want to consider variations or simplifications of what you had intended. 
• We talk about historical aspects of weaving, the trading post system, and the current state of trading in the Navajo Nation.  
• We will solve any problems developing!  
• We’ll talk about finishing techniques and begin planning your next weaving adventure.  We will look at the work of some of today’s top Navajo weavers and discuss the use of Navajo techniques by non-Navajo weavers.

After your class ends:  We will be available for help and questions.  

Continuing Online Navajo Weaving Techniques Instructors: 

Gloria Begay

Gloria is on the left in the picture.  Her maternal clan is Mountain Cove, and her paternal clan is Towering House.  She is the daughter of the famous weaver Nellie Joe.  Nellie schooled all of her daughters in her exacting techniques of fine weaving and design.  Gloria’s Chief Blanket and Burntwater designs are famous.  She experiments with design, and she loves natural dyes.  

Gloria is very encouraging, and her students love her.  Her rugs and weavings are in collections all over the world.  She is continually increasing her weaving expertise and loves to learn about new yarns and dyes.  

Gloria is fluent in both Navajo and English and teaches students in both languages.   Gloria is instructing this session.  

 

Jennie Slick

Jennie Slick is on the left in this picture.  She is born to the Coyote Pass people and born for the Bitter Water People.  She resides in the Querino Canyon area near Sanders, Arizona.  Jennie has been teaching for over 20 years.  She has taught all over the United States, and she loves sharing her weaving knowledge.  She says, “you’re not supposed to be stingy with it.”   

Jennie is a very patient teacher, and her students come back for more classes to increase their knowledge.  She is fluent in Navajo and can teach in either Navajo or English.  Jennie will be teaching this session.  

 

Continuing Online Navajo Weaving Techniques Registration, Cancellation, and Refund Policies

If you have to miss a session, we will try to help you make it up, but please try to attend every class to keep up your momentum.