Learn to Backstrap Weave with a Master Weaver ...
Dona Lidia Tarton de Santos
and her family have been teaching
with us for more than 20 years now,
so they are very experienced in working with foreigners who often have no previous weaving experience, and sometimes not even much in the way of Spanish language skills,
let alone speak Cakchiquel !!!
(which is their primary language).
Dona Lidia is an excellent weaver who lives with
her family in a small village called Santa Catarina Barahona, just outside of Antigua. She is part of a
large and wonderfully warm family who enjoy sharing their weaving skills with others.
You'll spend hands on time learning to weave as young Mayan girls do.
(They generally begin around the age of nine years). If you have time,
you can start at the beginning of the process, winding the threads into a ball,
practicing how to urdir, then warp your backstrap loom (although Lidia
can do this part for you if you want to
start right in on the actual weaving.) Experienced weavers often come to learn new skills and techniques while simply enjoying the process of weaving and experiencing a new culture by spending time with a Maya family. It helps you understand the place of weaving and its importance within the context of indigenous Mayan culture.
Our students range from people, including families, who simply want to experience what weaving and the indigenous way of life is all about (particularly if they've adopted a child from Guatemala), to experienced weavers who want to learn specific techniques about the highly acclaimed brocade weaving style found in the families village.
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"I would recommend that anyone who wants to learn to weave get started with Lidia. She really is an excellent teacher. She was especially good at picking up your mistakes the moment you made them even when she was busy winding balls of cotton or chatting to a neighbor. She always had a watchful eye on you. Once you get a good base with her, learning with anyone else is all that much easier, so the short time that I got to spend with her was really worthwhile.
I'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK!"
Laverne Waddington March 2008
Laverne is a weaver who lives in Boliva and now teaches weaving, specializing in the Andean Pebble weave, and writes a very useful blog called Backstrap Weaving. Highly recommended !! blog
Our students often tell us that the time they spent learning to weave with Lidia, and the time they spent just being with the family, was the highlight of their Guatemalan travels.
Annie Sherz and her daughter Lulu took lessons
and that very talented Annie wrote this travelogue blog, along with some great pictures
for her Studio Luma art business ......
You can also read a story about Kennerly's experience
(pictured on the right)
Students can expect to come away with a small sampler. You won't have time
to finish your weaving, but it will look lovely, just as it is, hanging on your wall as
wonderful reminder of your Guatemalan weaving experience.
"The workshop was amazing. I was not expecting to fall in love with the family and their way of life.
I enjoyed practicing my Spanish and learning
about weaving. I don't think that part of the trip
could be improved, it's already so perfect!!
Susannah (a teacher)
Join us for this unique, life changing, backstrap weaving
and Mayan cultural adventure.
** Cost depends on whether you choose to take the
one on one weaving lessons totally
on your own, or as a part
of another workshop's experience.
If we have another workshop going at the same time, you are able to stay with the group, join them on all field trips, including travel to Lake Atitlan.
** If you'd like to register, or request more information
on this unique experience,
please email Liza, skype lizafourre
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or call me at 612-825-0747,
and we'll get you set to go!!
Hope to see you soon in Guatemala !!
Liza and the folks at Art Workshops in Guatemala
(All photos taken by Liza Fourre except the one to right of me with Lidia's mother Dona Felica - taken by
8 times participant Judy Tillinger)
