| The art of weaving runs deep in the roots of the Hyatt family. When she was eighteen years old, Emily Hyatt learned to weave from an instructor on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. She passed her love of weaving to her daughter, Victoria Hyatt Sowers who has been weaving since she was eight years old. Since 1998, Emily and Victoria have been known professionally as Sandy Creek Weavers. On historic utilitarian looms they create contemporary works of art. Their specialties are rugs, tapestries, wall hangings and memorial weavings. Their work can be found from New York to Florida in homes, galleries, banks, even a congressional office. Emily and Victoria are renowned throughout the Southeastern U.S. for their school and community hands on weaving residencies which “capture time in a tapestry”. The residency is their unique approach to “story telling” through tapestry making on a 200 year old antique floor loom the same way boys and girls and adults their age wove on the same loom 200 years ago. “The overarching goal of the residency is to keep alive an ancient art form and help students and adults make connections with weaving through art, math, history, language arts, social studies and craftsmanship” All will bring a personal item to weave into the large tapestry called “A Fabric Time Capsule” representing who they are this time in their life which is left on permanent display. They have received numerous grants from the NC State Department of Cultural Resources including support for a one woman show of Emily’s work titled Looming Identity which explored the symbolism of fiber in identity. Their work has been featured in Southern Living and Handwoven magazines. |
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Curriculum, Arts Integration
Program Description:
Navajo weaving is the focus of this residency. A Navajo loom and authentic rugs are available for students to examine. While listening to Navajo stories and music, students draw the rug designs of the Navajo “geometric weavers”. How the life of Navajo children is related to weaving is of great interest to students. This is an exciting experience for students studying Native Americans.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum, Arts Integration
Program Description:
This is a 4-5 day Residency up to 5 classes a day. Additional days are added based on number of participants. This residency all participants in the school and/or other facilities weaves on a 200-year-old tapestry loom. Each class has one session with the weaver (40-50 minutes depending on regular class schedule). 1st the class begins with a historical component. 2nd they discuss loom construction and how it works. 3rd all students draw/sketch the large floor loom. 4th each student weaves a personal item into a tapestry. The finished weaving (9-12ft long) remains on permanent display at the school. Students are very stimulated by this experience.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum, Arts Integration
Program Description:
This residency focuses on one grade level and incorporates lap looms as well as “Weaving Your History, a Fabric Time Capsule” lesson on the large tapestry loom. The weaver meets with each class on one grade level every day during the residency. The residency is a minimum 4-5 days. The first session is the same as described in #1. The second day students begin to weave on individual lap looms and on the large tapestry loom. The large finished tapestry remains at the school permanently. Students’ lap loom products become personal weavings to take home. “LAP LOOM FEVER” abounds!
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
