Lessons learned

The Fulbright Specialist Program is amazing. The ability to connect to organizations and people across the world, share knowledge, exchange ideas, and see what the collaborations will yield is incredibly important.

 I first set foot in the Sadu House about a week ago. I was walking around today and thought how familiar it was beginning to feel. The paths from the weaving area to the office, to the courtyard are becoming as familiar as my home. I enjoy this transition when I travel, going from where every sight and sound of a place is unexpected, to knowing how many steps it takes, what the sound will be and how the air will feel (especially now that it is getting colder in Kuwait!)

Since I titled this blog, lessons learned, I thought it was time to tell you exactly what I am doing here on the Fulbright. The purpose of this visit is two fold - give a lecture on engaging in community based artwork (check! - done! - check out Facebook group U.S. Embassy Kuwait to see pics and video!)
And to give a workshop on innovations in woven designs. This was the challenge, because, really, what am I to teach weavers who could weave me under the table! So I decided to build in several days at the beginning of this Fulbright to learn. I had the honor of having two of the Sadu weavers, Muteria and Laila, work with me on setting up the smaller version of their horizontal ground loom.

 It is very similar to most looms around the world, so there was some familiarity with it. As a first, I was excited to be able to have camel hair in my weaving plus beautiful hand spun wool. I will admit that I have not been as fully committed to weaving as I should be, there have been a lot of meetings, designing the workshop and activities and more. But having time to get to know Muteria and Laila has been wonderful and continues as we work together in the workshops I am leading now. That post is coming soon!


As a side - I did include a photo of my weaving at the bottom of this post - at the very bottom;)

Weavers, Muteria and Laila with Sarah Alfarhan, an awesome artist and wonderful translator!