Helping Hands

Chair: Joyce Hayes

The Helping Hands distance learning program is designed for beginning tapestry weavers who want to begin exploring tapestry with guidance and mentoring from a more experienced tapestry weaver. The student must be an ATA member.  A beginning weaver is defined as someone who has little experience or one who has completed an introductory level workshop.  This program will introduce students to warping a loom, shape building, warp and weft balance, and beginning cartoon development.

To enroll in the Helping Hands program, interested students submit an application form and $30 administrative fee to the Helping Hands Chair listed below.  This fee is waived if you are a Circle Member.

The chair matches the student with a mentoring teacher. The student, under guidance from the mentor, decides on the specific course of his/her study. Any expenses incurred - postage, phone calls etc, are the sole responsibility of the student. Mentoring teachers are volunteering their valuable time and students need to be considerate of this.

Student's Responsibilities
• A six-month time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement);
• Prepare a list of realistic goals and objectives to complete in six months;
• Describe any finished project that you hope to complete;
• Propose a timetable for submitting samples, drawings, etc.;
• Pay for any expenses incurred during the program; and
• Submit a final report to the ATA Mentoring Committee.

Mentoring Teacher's Responsibilities
• A six-month time commitment (could be extended by mutual agreement);
• Help the student set realistic goals for this six-month time frame;
• Provide direction, support and expertise as the student requires;
• Recommend additional sources for information and tapestry workshops;
• Evaluate progress during the course of study by critique; and
• Submit a final report to the ATA Mentoring Committee.

Application for Study (simply submit the following information)
• Name
• Address
• Telephone (day and eve)
• E-mail
• Administrative fee: $30 check or money order payable to American Tapestry Alliance.  If a Circle Member the fee is waived.
• Describe your tapestry or other weaving experiences including workshops, classes, years weaving, and number of completed tapestries;
• Describe what you want to accomplish during this six-month study;
• Explain why you are interested in tapestry.

Please send information to:

Joyce Hayes
5229 Ivanhoe PL NE
Seattle, WA  98105
joyce.hayes@comcast.net