2018 Andean Arts Textile TourOctober 22- November 2 For many people, traveling to Peru and experiencing Machu Picchu is on their “bucket list.” For those of us who celebrate artisan textiles, that dream may include the opportunity to visit some highland villages, meet the weavers in person, and see their hands at work on the patterns that have been passed down for generations. And what if you could try your own hands at spinning, backstrap weaving, or natural dyeing? Even better, what if you could do all that accompanied by internationally recognized Quechua master weaver Nilda Callanaupa? That dream would be almost too good to come true! Almost. The good news is that we have arranged all those experiences for … Read More
Revitalizing Weaving in the Andes
The mission of Andean Textile Arts (ATA) is to support the people and communities of the Andes in their efforts to preserve and revitalize their textile traditions. In support of that mission, ATA has been working closely with the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) for just over twenty years. During those formative years, we have had two major areas of focus: Identifying the highland communities where textile traditions were almost extinct and reviving techniques such as discontinuous warp (ticlla) in Pitumarca or tie-dyed warp (watay) in Sallac, and establishing the Center in Cusco, with its rich resources: a museum, training center, store, and offices. With a strong foundation in place to preserve the weaving techniques, we are thinking … Read More
Looking for a few good guilds to kick off ATA’s “Sponsor a Young Weavers Group” project
ATA is creating sponsorship opportunities for fiber arts guilds, interested individuals, and other community groups in the U.S. to provide financial support to Young Weavers groups affiliated with CTTC’s ten villages. CTTC has identified an urgent need to involve the youth of its communities in the educational and preservation efforts before the tradition fiber arts knowledge and skills are lost. The three-fold focus of the Young Weavers Groups (which include knitting and spinning in addition to weaving skills) is to expose kids to and teach them about traditional textiles and techniques, for the youth to form healthy social contacts within and between communities, and to enhance their educational experiences. Each U.S. group would partner with a specific Andean community to … Read More