Weaving in rhythm: an exploration of loom sounds

Weekend Intensive Workshop: Weaving in rhythm: An exploration of loom sounds

Join visiting artists Phoebe Vlassis and Lena Kolb for a very special 2-day workshop!

Date: Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20

Time: 10am-5pm

Description:

This two-day workshop offers both an introduction to weaving on a four-harness floor loom and an invitation to explore the loom as a sound-making machine. Together, we will discuss rhythm and repetition, listen to songs about and for the loom throughout history, and attune ourselves to the interplay of sound and movement as it emerges through the act of weaving.

Throughout our time together, we’ll approach the loom not only as a tool for creating fabric but also as a percussive instrument and a form of expression and performance. We will learn an English rebel song from the labor movement of the 1900s and set out to beat the weft in rhythm as we weave together.

This workshop is great for beginners! The basics of the weaving process will be introduced and supported. This workshop is great for experienced weavers too! This is a chance to not only learn from visiting artists, but also to gain a new sensory appreciation for the loom as an instrument.

Note!!!! Phoebe is a participating artist in the Fiberart International 2025 exhibition, and she will be performing at Contemporary Craft on July 17! Here is the link for more information, and to register to attend!!!!

Tuition:

$250 + $15 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided. Particpants will be welcome to bring in some weft materials if they wish to!

Location: Contemporary Craft, TImmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Note, this workshop will take place in the Fibers Loft, which is on the second floor of the building.

There are 2 entrances to the Timmons Studios.

One entrance is facing Butler Street. To access the Fibers Loft from the Butler Street facing entrance, there are a total of 32 stairs to ascend.

One entrance is facing 57th Street. This entrance is accessible by ramp, with no stairs to ascend. There is a lift inside the building to access the second floor.

If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call (and leave a message for) Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1639 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Given the special circumstances of a visiting artist workshop, student refund requests must be made at least two weeks before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without two weeks notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the artists:

Lena Kolb is a visual artist and educator based in Philadelphia. Her studio practice focuses on painting and weaving, using these mediums as tools for reflection of her inner world, a way to mark a moment or turn an everyday object into something mythic. Lena exhibits nationally and teaches workshops on several weaving topics. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Temple University and a MFA in Fibers and Material Studies From Tyler School of Art. Lena has worked as an usher at a movie theater, a data entry goblin, an elementary school teacher, a rug weaver, a sales person at a western store, a medical record clerk, a packer for a moving company and an adjunct professor.

Phoebe Vlassis is a weaver and musician from Athens, Greece, currently based in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Her journey through various places and practices has woven a tapestry of multidisciplinary artistry that centers on weaving, music, and performance, while also fostering a deep curiosity about language, words, and communication. Her most recent project connects weaving with music, using the loom as a percussive instrument. Phoebe is a member of the polyphonic vocal ensemble Trendafilka, sings and plays the accordion in her traditional Greek music band, and leads a community choir that also serves as a Greek language class. She has been weaving for nine years, gaining her knowledge through the generosity of mentors and peers. She holds a BSc in Industrial Design from the University of Portsmouth, UK, and a Diploma in Theatre Production from Langara College (Studio 58), Canada.