Detail of Clothes pin people
Wonderful volunteers who assembled and glued together the Mandala Community Weaving for AW Cox School
Here are some photos from the AW Cox Elementary School in Guilford, CT. We worked for two days with over 300 students to weave and make the clothes pin people. A few weeks later volunteers assembled the project. The completed Mandala will be installed in June.
This is how the Mandala got delivered to the school!
I had the good fortune to work with a very small group of students at the Longley School in Lewiston, Maine this month. Rather than making a Community Mandala, each student made their own Mandala. In the center of their individual Mandala they put a clothes pin person to represent themselves. Then they created other clothes pin people to represent their “support system” – people that help them, love them, feed them, teach them, care for them. This was a very special project with a very special group of students.
This spring I had the pleasure of returning to be artist in residence at Rotella Magnet School. I worked here about 12 years ago and the beautiful pieces we created hang in the main office of the school. Now 12 years later, I have been invited back to do an even bigger project!Over 300 students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades worked on a triptych. The theme was “Journey”. The 3rd graders tapestry was a journey in and around Waterbury, CT. 4th graders illustrated a journey through Connecticut. And the 5th graders explored a more personal journey of the past/present/future of their lives.The lower grades (Pre-K, K, 1 and 2) worked on a Mandala Community Weaving. There were over 300 students who contributed to this joyful collaborative piece.
Waterbury CT ~ a 3rd grade view of the city center.
I am an artist in residence at Rotella Magnet School in Waterbury CT this month. I am doing two big projects with the whole school. Third, fourth and fifth grades are creating a triptych that will explore the school theme of journey. The weavings are being created on beautiful wooden loom/frames built by Ben (my husband). I’ll have photos of the completed works after my return visit in 2 weeks.
5th grade weaving before adding the details
Before I left for my trip to India, I worked hard to complete my Alphabet of Gratitude. However, I just could not get Letter Z done before I left for Dallas to meet our group. So I completed Letter Z just prior to leaving the USA and photographed Letter Z all during my travels in Tamil Nadu.
I am back from an amazing journey/pilgrimage to Tamil Nadu, Southern India. I have many tales to tell and photos to share. Here is a photo of me at the Saccidananda Weaving Workshop part of Saccidananda Ashram (also called Shantivanam) in the village of Tannirpalli. Back to you soon with more to share! Namaste, Sarah
I have the good fortune of going to India for a month this winter. This will be my second trip (this photo is from my first trip in 2008!), this time traveling with my husband Ben. We will spend three weeks at Saccidananda Ashram in Thannirpalli, which is in the very south of India.
From there we will go to Mt. Arunacula for a 5 day silent retreat.
I will be bringing my portable studio with drawing/painting supplies, embroidery materials and of course a camera! I look forward to sharing my photos and stories on all the beautiful colors, food, people, fabrics and art!
See you in February!
Warps wound, chained and ready to dye.
I’ve had the luxury of studio time this fall and have been working since November to set up the “Mother” loom, my 56″ 16H (but currently only using 8H). This is a long, labor intensive process that begins with winding two warps – one is the ground warp and the other is the supplementary warp. The warps for this new series of art works is 49″ wide by 9 yards long, 24 epi for the ground warp and 12 epi for the supplementary warp.Next I want to test how this warp thread will dye, so I wind small skeins to test color mix and intensity. This is all done by weight ratio, so I use a scale and a calculator to figure out how much dye for each skein. I also keep track of each dye bath, saving a small piece for my records.Once I am satisfied with the color I dye the warps, usually only putting one warp at a time in a bucket. This allows me to make sure that the dye is applied evenly to all the warp ends.
Warps are all dyed and drying on the rack.
Test skeins in dye pot.
In my next post, I’ll share how I wind long and wide warps on my loom.
Unconditional Joy weaving project.
“Unconditional Joy” is the title of the workshop I presented at the NH Sate Council on the Arts this past weekend. At a lovely lakeside camp artists, teachers, administrators gathered for the 2013 Statewide Arts Education Conference. It has been MANY, far too many years since I have attended this conference, and darn it….I missed my peeps! Thanks to Catherine O’Brien and Frumie Selchen for keeping this annual gathering alive, and so vital to supporting the health of arts and education in the state of NH. In the workshop “Unconditional Joy” we explored what joy means to us, how we encourage and discourage joy in ourselves and others. With two paper weaving projects we explored community, personal stories and how to invite more joy into our lives.We closed our workshop with one of my favorite poems by Rumi: “After all these years, the sun never says to the earth “you owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that, it lights up the whole sky.”
Penobscot Bay, Merchants Row, near Stonington, ME
ABC’s of gratitude
Calm waters near New Castle NH
Lakeside Ossippe NH
Positive thoughts rule.
E is for ever.
I attempt to live with this kind of love, this kind of joy. But like all humans, I am imperfect and get off course. In an attempt to strive towards a better understanding of this lesson of unconditional love and joy, I began a project this summer that is rooted in gratitude. Using small plastic screen flags that are usually found on lobster pot buoys, I am stitching an “Alphabet of Gratitude”. As each letter is completed, I have begun to spell words. I often travel with the letters and invite others to spell something. I’m continually amazed by the words that show up. 
I am stitching letter O right now, and am excited to see what words will grow from adding a new vowel!
Making “Love Letters”
“Newtown, CT, We are family”
Paralleling this “Alphabet of Gratitude” work is a new community art project called “Love Letters”. Working with individuals or groups of all sizes I invite people to draw the first letter of something/someone they love. On the reverse side they fill in the blank: ____is for_____. As the letters accumulate, a word or string of words is formed. Look what sentence appeared at a recent arts festival in Newtown, CT!I am interested in traveling far and wide with this project. Please let me know if you are interested in inviting me to your community to raise up some “Love Letters”!
Spelling with “Love Letters”
And finally, please be sure to check out both my blogs: “Woven Voices:Messages from the Heart” and “Macomber Looms and Me”. Both blogs have more info and more photos about current projects.
This summer I decided that my front woods was a perfect place to hang a show. So I started making “post cards” of gratitude using fabric and plastic marine flags. Each flag has a fabric collage on one side a message on the other. They still look lovely hanging in the woods for all the world to see as they drive by my roadside gallery. 
Along side my own projects, I have taught several workshops and done a few residencies since spring. here’s a gallery of images, from Mandalas to Paper Prayer Flags.
People of Harvard MA
Wow!! What a busy and amazing spring and winter!I taught from Maine to New Jersey, small groups of two or three and large gatherings of over 1500.I guided weaving experiences for people of all ages facing grief, brain injury, aging, loss of mobility, racial discrimination and traumatic loss.We celebrated community, diversity, local history, our own inner beauty and the wisdom of the heart. We talked about hopes, dreams, fears and worries. We made prayer flags, mandalas, small collage weavings and large tapestries.Here is a gallery of images that celebrate this work in community and love. Look for more news and photos now that I have time!
Boston Pubic Library April 2013
Weaving collage for elders. May 2013
Weaving collage by elder in CT May 2013
Weaving collage by elder in CT May 2013
Boston Public Library April 2013
Boston Public Library April 2013
“Good Grief” Community Mandala Morristown, NJ May 2013
Detail Milton Elementary School tapestry
Milton NH Elementary School Tapestry
Boston Public Library April 2013
Words of wisdom from Lewiston ME 1st grader
Diversity in Maine!
Lewiston, Maine First Grade Mandala
It is snowing again here in York Maine. I love the muffled quiet that surrounds me when snow falls. Deep, delicious silence.
Three Mandala Community Weavings from Harvard MA March 2013
Tomorrow I am off for a week of silence, a Women’s Mediation Retreat. It feels perfect to be heading off for this retreat. I’ve just completed a particularity busy month of residencies and ready to dip into this pool of reflection.These three Mandalas are from my 10 day residency at Hildreth Elementary School in Harvard, MA. These Mandala Community Weavings were woven by 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders, and will be decorated with about 100 clothes pin people each as well as ribbons with inspirational messages. Look for photos of the completed Mandalas at the end of March.I will be back March 15th. Thanks to each of you for your support of my work and your faith in my vision.Namaste, Sarah
Inspirational words from a 3rd grader.
I am happy to announce that The Mandala Community Weaving project is now available as a PDF set of directions for $50. You will be a
ble to follow these step by step directions to guide your own Mandala Community Weaving Project. Learn more about this community building peace project by following the link to the Mandala Community Weaving pages.If you wish to purchase these directions for $50, visit my blog and look for the “Buy Now” button for the Mandala Community Weaving.
After a nearly two week road trip all around Florida, I am back home. And it is frigid here in Maine. I have not yet come up with a sane reason why we hardy souls live up here when a few hours south (by air) the temps are more habitable. I do know that this indoor time makes for long hours of devoted attention to studio art making!Yesterday I began an artist residency at the Charles River School in Dover MA. We are using the Silk Road as a pathway of study. Stopping at three destinations along the Silk Road, students will learn about weaving and work on a project that connects with the culture of that region. Yesterday we explored the Chinese Taoist philosophy of Yin Yang and created this collaborative paper weaving that highlights personal strengths and challenges.
Yin/Yang paper weaving
When this community paper weaving was completed, one student remarked that on her strip of strengths she had drawn a picture if her cat. When the strips were woven together, the cat became hidden under another strip. She asked if she could draw another cat on her strip where it would show. I said “sure”.Later, I realized that part of the magic of weaving is there is an “under”. In other words there is always something hidden that we don’t see. We KNOW it is there, but it does not always show. We do not always share our strengths or our challenges/weaknesses. We hide our talents, we keep our perceived weaknesses hidden.So sometimes, as my student-friend did yesterday, we need to “flaunt” our own strengths… we need to let our cat show! So if you are hiding your strengths or not acknowledging your challenges, try letting them show today.We are all woven with these beautiful characteristics, the Yin/Yang balance of our humanity.
Collaborative Yin/Yang Paper Weaving hanging in classroom window.
The horrific events that happened this week in Sandy Hook Elementary School have hit close to home for many of us. As an artist who works in schools across New England I find myself asking the same questions that many are….”why”. I also wonder what I would have done. Would I have been as brave as the teachers at Sandy Hook? I do know that my first reaction was to get in the car and go to try to lend help, to offer solace and to reach out to this devastated community. But Sunday as I sat in church I realized that here, close to home there is a need for love, solace, and healing. So right now, I will remain close to home, using my skills, my love and my energy to bring just a little bit more love and healing to this community.What a beautiful, loving world this would be if we all did that.
Journal entry November 2012
It’s been awhile since I have posted here. No big excuses, just preoccupied.There is definitely a shift going on within my studio and my art. My journal has always been a laboratory for learning and exploring, but I now journal daily and plan/sketch out ideas for new works. My loom is where I create work that requires a deeper commitment.There are also several ideas for out door installations for temporary art.
Studio ~ November 2012
This piece on the big loom has been an image that has been on my mind and heart since early summer.I have given myself a challenge: for the next three months I will hyper focus on producing art work. Now that my master’s degree is complete and the Woven Voices project is at rest, it is time to make art count!
Inlay technique on the loom
Journal entry, art work sketch
As I have said many times before, summer in Maine is THE BEST! While much of the country is suffering with excessive heat, we are enjoying a perfectly lovely summer thus far. The temperature is mostly in the 80s, bright sun, occasional rain and tolerable humidity. There is always a breeze and the nights have cooled a bit so sleeping is easy. My goodness, this period of bliss makes up for the harsh and long winters!!
Hanover St. Parking garage 2010
Last Friday I re-installed “Caught between Us” an installation I created for the city of Portsmouth, NH in 2010. This piece is made from recycled shrimp netting, bait bags, lobster trap headers, and gummy fish lures. It is 12′ by 22′ and originally hung on the Hanover St. Parking garage in Portsmouth. For two years this piece was rolled up in my studio, looking for a new home. About a year ago, I had the idea that it might look good hanging on one of the bait shacks on the town docks in York.
Detail of "Caught Between Us" as it hung on the garage
Net laid out on the dock
After a few conversations with folks in town and a year later, I was able to install the fish net to its new and permanent home on York Town Dock #1. Thanks to the amazing help of Joey Donnelly, Richard Lee and Ben Fowler the net went up smoothly and without a hitch. We had to hang it at low tide, so that the ladders could rest on the rocks and mud. I think it looks pretty amazing in its new home!
Low tide installation!
Pulling it tight ~ teamwork!
Hanging with the pots at Town Dock #1
Summer is in full swing here in Maine. All winter I wait for these days when I can get up at 7 AM and have my tea on the deck in a 75 degree sultry heat. At the end the day I swim in the local cove with my dog, husband and perhaps a friend. As the big sign says on Rte 95 as you enter our state: “Maine, the way life should be.” But as with all things in life, this is a temporary time, and so the rule is to make the most of each day.
Siblings making a dream catcher in the trees
I am just back home from a 7 day Artist in Residency at Searsport Shores Campground in Searsport, ME. While I was there, I worked with all ages of camping friends from grand mom and pop to little ones and teenagers in between. It was such a delight see families and new friends working happily side by side.
A talented Mom weaves herself a belt
This campground is a unique and amazing place that is rich with gardens, animals, art and beauty, right on the ocean’s edge.For seven days we wove, shared stories of joy as well as sorrow. We became friends and expanded our concept of family. Each day I would share my food scraps with the goats in the pen right next to my studio. Each day I went for a swim in the cool ocean waters. Each night I slept in a tent inside the studio made from crocheted and embroidered fabrics.
A weaving family
On my last day, I went two miles up the road to the site where my dear brother Weston was killed last August. Although this site brings me deep sadness, it feels like holy ground to me. For the past 11 months I have decorated it with handwoven prayer flags from the Woven Voices project. I was so amazed and pleased to see how beautifully the old flags have weathered the seasons.I added a dozen more flags. Healing from life’s wounds is an unpredictable journey. I am blessed to have beauty, love and community as my companions.
My sleeping tent next to the rug loom.
Weathered prayer flags in Searsport ME
Michy looks for some fruit scraps
happy camper with paper plate dream catcher
Here we are….on the official commencement of summer and the beginning of our days decreasing in sunlight (sorry to ruin your day!) This is the Solstice balance, balancing the light and the dark, the positive and the negative, the hot and the cold, plus for us on coastal Maine, the tourists and the townies!
CT workshop for families
For me it is the end of my school residencies and teaching. And today, it being almost 93 here in York, I went for my first swim!
Jim Wilson shows off his vintage reed making equipment.
Yesterday Ben and I went down to Central Falls, RI to visit The Gowdey Reed Co. I have started a blog about Jim’s family business as I am gearing up sales for them. Please check out this new blog, Gowdey Reeds, Heddles and Handweaving, where I explain how this company has been making reeds for 4 generations. The basic process has changed little, and each hand loom or industrial reed is made to order for the customer.Tomorrow I head back up to Haystack MT School of Crafts. I was up there last month, cleaning and repairing all the looms in the Textile Studio. Friday and Saturday, I will return to complete the job with a van load of parts from Macomber Looms. I think we picked the perfect week to be up there, as the temperatures here are going to be unseasonably warm.
My Woven Voices thesis with it's clamshell box
And here is a BIG TAH- DAH…drum roll……. I received my Masters of Art and Healing from Wisdom University this month. I am so proud of my thesis which is a series of hand-bound books that document and illustrate this four year global peace project.
Happy and proud boy with his self portrait for the Mandala
Thanks for checking out my website. I always love hearing from each one of you.Happy Summer!!~~ Sarah
Printing the Adinkra inspired papers
In late April I had the wonderful opportunity to return as Artist in Residence to The Great Oak Middle School in Oxford CT. For five days I worked with 6th, 7th and 8th graders to design, print, weave and bind small books. Our goal was to create two printed sheets of paper inspired by Adinkra images of West Africa that would be cut into strips and woven together to make the cover for a book. Prior to my coming to school, Karen Giannamore, the art teacher worked hard with the classes to help them generate wonderful stories based on a choice of writing prompts. These stories were printed on paper to be inserted as the text for these handmade covers.
More printing!
Printed papers for book covers
When I arrived on Monday, we jumped right into designing the stamps, and printing two sheets of paper per student. I just love the bright colors and the bold designs that the students came up with. After everyone had printed two sheets, we then cut them into strips to that they could be woven together to make the book covers.
Weaving the printed strips together
The printed and woven strips were then laminated to make a durable cover for the books. We then sewed the previously written and printed stories inside these gorgeous covers. Each student also illustrated their story and added reader’s questions as well as notes about the author. These books will now be shipped to a school for the deaf in Wamunyu, Kenya through a program called Kenya Connect. We understand that the students in Kenya are learning to read and write in English so these handmade books will add over 120 new books to their school library!
Illustrating the text.
Helping a partner to sew in the text pages.
The laminated book covers waiting for the pages of text to be sewn inside.