Textiles
Our textiles studio occupies a lovely well-lit space with windows onto Front Street, plus a space facing the back with views of Mt. Baker. Weavers, spinners, felters and knitters gather here for classes, workshops or individual projects. We are well equipped with various styles of looms and spinning wheels for use in classes and available for in-studio rentals and are currently outfitting a dye studio downstairs for spring classes. The studio is a friendly and fun place to express your creativity and learn new skills in great company.
Studio Information
Open Studio:
Thursdays 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
This is a time when studio members might be weaving on one of the study group projects or their personal projects. It is also a time when students can come between classes to weave on class projects, with help available if needed.
Loom Rental:
Outside of the demands of current classes and workshops taking place at the J, there may be looms available to rent in the studio. To rent a loom, please contact [email protected].
Studio Programs
Beginning Weaving:
This class is taught on a quarterly basis, and will introduce you to harness loom weaving on one of the J’s table looms.
Intermediate Weaving Series:
This is a series of six intermediate weaving classes, roughly following the outline in Next Steps in Weaving by Pattie Graver. The series is: twill weaving, color and weave, overshot, summer and winter, lace, and double weave. The classes are taught on a rotating basis, and are suitable for anyone who has taken the Beginning Weaving class.
Felting Classes:
There are generally one or two felting classes per quarter, and the specific topics vary. There is also a felting interest group that meets once a month.
Spinning Classes:
Spinning classes are offered regularly. There is also SpiNit, a drop-in group on the first and third Thursdays of the month, from 6-8 pm.
Dyeing Interest Groups:
There is an eco-dyeing group that meets regularly, and there are also frequent offerings of dye days, varying in emphasis. Topics include dyeing wool, cotton or silk, in vats or for variegated effects, along with indigo dyeing and block printing.
Visiting Artists:
On a quarterly basis, the J hosts workshops from visiting textile artists who are nationally or regionally recognized. In the recent past, these workshops have included eco-dyeing, felting, and weaving.
Student Work
Explore Classes
Instructors
Sheri Ward
Chris Paul
Joyce Noordmans
Donna Hunter
Marcia Ford
Whatcom Weavers Guild
The Whatcom Weavers Guild and the Jansen Art Center have a close relationship, based on fostering weaving, felting, knitting, dyeing, spinning, and other textile activities.
The guild hosts regular monthly meetings, programs and workshops of interest to the textile community. Of late, those programs have been presented via Zoom, but hopes are to return to in-person meetings.
The J and the guild together support the local textile community, each in its own way, and complementary to each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent equipment?
Outside of the demands of current classes and workshops taking place at the J, there may be looms available to rent in the studio. To rent a loom, please contact [email protected].
Do you offer financial scholarships?
The mission of the Jansen Art Center is to create opportunities for the community to engage in the arts, and we recognize that financial barriers are one way that limit access to the arts. If a scholarship would enable you to attend one of our programs, please fill out this form! Scholarships are available for people of all ages and can be applied to all programs from classes to exhibit submission fees.