The imagination can be freed working with textiles, where fiber art techniques such as shibori, batik, silk-painting, or block-printing can be adapted from global traditions, cultural symbolism, or the human imperative for mark-making.
Located on the two floors of the Priest's House on the Ursuline Campus, our 50 floor looms are considered to be the largest teaching collection in the U.S., and are enjoyed by an active community of adult student weavers.
Classes not listed here will either have required materials in the class description, discuss needed materials during the first class, or the materials will be supplied.
Class details (meeting times, tuition, etc.) are listed below.
A limited number of scholarships for tuition assistance are available for classes in the Fibers Department. Adults interested in studying fibers may apply for tuition assistance by submitting the application form and contacting Casey Galloway, casey.galloway@utsa.edu.
Classes are open-enrollment to the community. Class registration is a simple process. Read 'How to Register' below to get started. Click here to view all registration policies and guidelines, including information on payments, class withdraws and cancellations, refunds, and more.
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Registration is closed. Fill out the sign-up form to recieve notification when registration opens.
SAORI-style weaving has recently taken hold in North America, attracting both novice weavers and experienced traditional weavers due to its “free-style” approach; begin or expand your weaving journey using this user-friendly methodology that emphasizes an individual’s creative expression. The workshop will introduce you to the history behind SAORI and Japanese founder Misao Jo, and the philosophy behind the forgiving, “no-mistakes” nature of SAORI weaving as you experiment with techniques, texture, and color. Explore some traditional weaving techniques and those that are particular to SAORI with a focus on creative use of color and textures. All materials will be provided, including a pre-warped floor loom will be provided for use during class, or you may bring your own pre-warped loom (see website materials list) as well as a large assortment of yarn, ribbon, fabric strips, hand dyed roving and other treasures will be available to use; please bring lunch.
This program is designed for intermediate and advanced student-artists who wish to pursue their own direction in weaving. Acquiring new structural and manual skills and exploring new materials will be emphasized. Individual planning sessions along with some group instruction will allow students to proceed at their own pace. Each weaver will have exclusive use of one of the Fibers Department’s large collection of floor looms and use of the dye lab. Prior to registering: NOTE: Students must contact the Fibers Department, casey.galloway@utsa.edu, by Nov 28; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail and must register by Jan 5. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience.
Indigo is considered “The Blue Gold” of natural dyes. Fermented indigo has been used as a dye for thousands of years. In this workshop, we will create an indigo vat using pre-reduced indigo, a much less time intensive indigo dye process. We will fold, twist, roll, gather, tie, scrunch or bind the fabric. The fabric will be immersed in the indigo vat, once removed the fabric turns from green to blue. Unbinding the fabrics will reveal truly unique patterns and compositions. See the website for a list of items to bring to class; please bring lunch.
With an emphasis on mixed-media, this workshop is designed to address the interests of artists working in fiber as collage on paper. Explore creating two-layered fiber and paper scrolls (a personal work that can be rolled up for portability and preservation) and gain insights into the versatility of working with paper in combination with fiber through altering, layering, and manipulating the material. The workshop will delve into surface design concepts with emphasis on composition—teaching participants how to enhance the visual appeal of their artworks through creative surface treatments, such as use of image transfer, stitching, collage, encaustic, and other techniques for personal mark-making resulting in innovative and textured compositions that integrate a combination of elements. Includes some materials; see the website for a list of items to bring to class, please bring lunch.
You may have seen the amazing digital reproductions of photos created by art quilters, but with the use of an iPad, computer, or other tablet (even a phone) quilt artists can move beyond photographic reproduction into artistic filters, drawing and painting and amazing digital patterns. This workshop includes drawing and painting, photo editing, special effects apps and pattern apps on an iPad (preferred) or similar tablet. A demo of working with Spoonflower, a fabric printing on demand company, construction of a fused raw-edge collage appliqué art quilt using an inkjet printed image, and how to mount a small quilt on a canvas frame will also be covered. Participants will design and create a project using their own photo-based image, printed in class, and mounted on a stretched canvas with additional fabric work and fabric collage (sewing machine optional) creating a small art quilt collage. See the website for a list of materials; please bring a bag lunch.