Meeting Announcement:

 

Rug Weaving in Nepal: A Recent Look at a New Tradition

 

with

Layne Goldsmith

Professor of Art, University of Washington

 

at

 

Room 003, Basement of the Art Building

University of Washington Campus

Tuesday, October 28th, 2003, 7:00 PM

 

 

In March and April of 2003, UW School of Art Professor Layne Goldsmith spent 5 weeks in Nepal. The purpose of her trip was to meet rug manufacturers and to learn about the current state of the country’s rug weaving industry. At one time, this industry employed over 400,000 weavers in the Kathmandu valley alone, but many of those looms are now sitting unused. 

 

Professor Goldsmith realized that these idle looms represented an opportunity to do something truly innovative in her teaching.  This winter, she will be offering an advanced seminar to a select group of School of Art students that will pair each of them with a client to actually design a custom rug which will be produced in Nepal.  The seminar will not only give students experience collaborating with a “client” on a commission, but will also give the sponsor an opportunity to get involved with an exciting educational art project that will deliver a tangible benefit – a unique rug designed specifically for them.  The weavers in Nepal will also benefit from the additional activity.

 

Professor Goldsmith’s slide lecture will present the current state of the rug weaving industry in Nepal, and discuss how her upcoming seminar will team art students with clients to commission Nepalese weavers to make original works of functional art.


 

Meeting Schedule:

 

7:00            Mix and mingle.  Announcements.

7:15            Layne Goldsmith – Rug Weaving in Nepal: A Recent Look at a New Tradition

8:30            Show and tell – if you wish, please bring an interesting textile you’d like to share with the group.

 

Please note:  This meeting is free to all STARS members and UW students, $5.00 at the door for guests.  As always, all are welcome. 

 

 

Meeting Location:

 

The Art Building is best accessed via the North entrance to the UW Campus, at the corner of 45th and 17th.  Ask to park in lot N-5.  It is a short walk from the parking lot to the Art Building.  Room 003 is in the basement.