Teach-In Skill Shares
The concept of a teach-in is rooted in political activism, starting in the 1960s in protest of the Vietnam war. The idea was developed as another way to protest through a general education forum to address a complicated issue. Teach-ins were designed to be practical, participatory and geared to action.
Inspired by these ideas, as well as the workshop format happening at community centers, art institutions and other spaces out in the world, this semester, we will each take a turn leading our class community in the engagement with ideas, materials and processes of particular interest to fiber sculpture.
The class will be divided into 4 groups (group assignments will be made during class time today) and each group will be responsible to research, learn, and then teach a fiber based skill or technique to the rest of the class.
Some ideas of skills or processes that could interesting to explore: macrame, embroidery, knots, lashing, paper making, latch hook, natural dyes, shibori dye techniques, netting, coiling, fabric manipulation techniques, applique, quilting, spinning, plying, some particular new crochet stitches or technique beyond what is covered in class….etc.
Teach-In Skill Share Dates:
Session #1: Wednesday, March 14th Session #2: Monday, March 19th Session #3: Wednesday, March 21st Session #4: Monday, April 9th
Images from top:
photograph of an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 students packed the University of Wisconsin Social Sciences Building on April 1, 1965, for a 10-hour "teach-in" against the Vietnam War.
This next image is a screen shot of a few upcoming workshops at the Craft and Folk Art Museum.
image from a teach-in skill share last semester on pompoms and tassels