Tapestry and the University

BySusan Iverson

As we enter the 21st century, university art students are experimenting with new technologies, mixed media and installation work. In a head long rush to embrace what is new they often choose to ignore techniques and materials that are closely connected with tradition. They are frequently concerned with spontaneity, ease of image forming and, like our society as a whole, immediate gratification. While tapestry weaving does not fit easily into this educational scenario, we continue to teach it with amazingly good results.

Tapestry was a vital aspect of the textile area's curriculum when I joined the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1975. The interest in all techniques and materials, old and new, made this an exciting time to enter the teaching profession. This was a period of high energy in the hand weaving world and tapestry, with its technical simplicity and low equipment needs, was extremely popular. We included tapestry in a basic textile class, there was a year long advanced course dedicated to tapestry, and there were other classes in which the student could choose to use tapestry. Over the years we have made curriculum changes to reflect the needs and interests of the students but tapestry has been a constant in our program. It remains a core aspect of our entry level textile course and is the primary technique in the first semester of advanced work in weaving.

In their first floor loom class, students weave an involved tapestry sample and two or more tapestry projects in the 16 week semester. Time is frequently the most frustrating aspect for the student - how to fit a big idea into the time available. While they usually have to rely on the faculty for help with assessing the time requirements for a specific project, the advanced students are encouraged to take on