CONTACT:
- Maureen Keller, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9599, maureen_keller@vancouver.wsu.edu
- Brenda Alling, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9601, brenda_alling@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. – The intricate textile creations of the Multnomah Arts Center’s Wednesday night weaving class are on display now through March 24 in the Library building gallery at Washington State University Vancouver.
The students use looms to weave everything from rugs and guitar straps to purses and tea towels. They will exhibit their weavings along with a table loom, inkle loom and a sample of card weaving. Gallery exhibitors include: Terry Black, Connie Dilts, Nora Fairley-Parker, Robin Frasier, Meg Goldberg, Kashala Hill, Kathi Keller, Maureen Keller, Lorina Krigger, Mona LePierre, Kathleen Monaghan, Pearl O'Brien and Meadow Woody.
After being given a piano-size floor loom as a gift in 2003, Maureen Keller, administrative assistant in the office of marketing and communications at 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø, began taking weekly weaving classes at Multnomah Arts Center.
"A friend brought the loom to my home while I was at work. When I came home and saw it I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Up until then, I had never touched a loom. I signed up for a class at Multnomah so I could understand how to work it. I had no idea then that I'd still be taking classes seven years later," said Keller.
Many weaving students have looms at home but continue to attend class for skill growth and camaraderie. Keller credits the long-term enrollment to Kathy Monaghan, the class’s weaving and textile art instructor.
"Kathy balances our class with individual instruction, group weaving projects and demonstrations. She helps us explore and broaden our weaving knowledge. She's the reason we keep coming back," said Keller.
Monaghan has been teaching textile arts for 20 years and won an Art Teacher of the Year award from the Washington Arts Alliance. She is the author of "You Can Weave, Projects for Young Weavers" and currently works for Pendleton Woolen Mills. Monaghan's work will be showcased alongside her student's at the 91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø weaving exhibit.
For more information about the weaving class, visit
91³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏÍø is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205. Admission to the Library gallery is free. For the most up-do-date library hours, please visit . Parking is available at parking meters or in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $3. For more information, contact Erin Dengerink at madarang@vancouver.wsu.edu or 360-546-9551.
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