introduction

I believe that art "happens" outside the artist's studio. The primary role of art is to communicate; to begin a conversation between the artwork and its audience. I can weave a tapestry in my studio but it is not truly fulfilling its role as communicator until it moves in the community.

I have taken this basic concept and explored it in two forms. One of these is to work with my university students and the L'Arche Antigonish community to create group artworks. I have done this 3 times (so far!) and these group projects have proven that art and creative practice are viable means to create community. The other form was for me to collaborate with artists from the L'Arche community to design a tapestry that I wove in public. This public space became a unique opportunity to educate the public about the role of art and to highlight the creative work of the L'Arche artists.

Art has the role to communicate and the power to create community.

noah’s ark

Noah's Ark is a community tapestry project created during the 2008-09 academic year by my Weaving Studio students at St. Francis Xavier University and members of the L'Arche Antigonish, Nova Scotia community.

The process of creating this multi-panel tapestry allowed everyone to understand how art and its creative process is a way of communicating and sharing ideas with other people. This project was completed in conjunction with Service Learning at StFX, and fully funded by grant monies provided by the JW McConnell Family Foundation.

The folks from L'Arche Antigonish came to the university weaving studio each week during the academic year. The folks and students worked as partners for the weaving projects. The main project was creating the tapestries for Noah's Ark, and another project was weaving together on small table-top to create drinks coasters.

The folks and the students met each other early in the term. Partnerships were easily formed and everyone got to work right away. We needed to fill Noah's Ark with all sorts of creatures. I provided photographs of all types: cats and rats and elephants ... but also creatures of the sea and air - from lady bugs to whales. The folks chose the animals they wanted to see on the Ark, and the students used the photo as a starting point for their original tapestry.

Weaving together in the university studio.

The students learned basic tapestry-weaving skills and techniques during the first half of the university term.

They applied this knowledge to weave their tapestry for the Ark based on the animal that their L'Arche partner has chosen.

We all gathered for a celebration and unveiling of Noah's Ark at L'Arche Horizons House.

The students, the folks, and their families got to enjoy seeing the finished collection of tapestries for the first time. The partners could show off each of the animals they selected to be a part of Noah's Ark. There was a lion, a tiger, and three bears along with the sheep, lobster, cat, dog, butterfly, & orca.

Our celebration was also a time of reflection as we realized how our creative work had been a wonderful opportunity to build a strong and loving community.

Click on an image to view the slide show to see the tapestries and the studio partners at work.