On Nov. 20, Omaha artist Mary Zicafoose will give an informal demonstration for children and families on traditional Navajo weaving from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall.
Zicafoose will discuss the process of creating a hand-woven tapestry, while giving visitors the opportunity to try their hand working on a horizontal treadle floor loom. Visitors will also be able to card and spin wool fleece into yarn on homemade spindles. The program will be on the third floor of the museum. Regular museum admission will be charged.
This program is presented in support of "A Turning Point: Navajo Weaving in the Late 20th Century," on exhibit in the museum's Cooper Gallery. "A Turning Point" showcases modern Navajo textiles that reflect a culture balancing both tradition and change. The exhibit opened in conjunction with the Textile Society of America's 12th Biennial Symposium Oct. 6-9 at UNL. It will remain on display through Nov. 30. For more information on the exhibit go to http://www.museum.unl.edu/navajoweaving/index.html.
Zicafoose is a life-long weaver who maintains a one-woman fiber studio in Omaha, where she lives with her family. Known for ethnic-inspired textiles, Zicafoose is one of only a handful of fiber artists who reinterpret ancient techniques of Ikat into a modern context. Her work as been exhibited internationally in numerous private and permanent collections, including the San Jose Quilt and Textile Museum, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha and the Museum of Nebraska Art, among others. She also leads workshops at her rural retreat in Pahuk, a sacred spiritual ground for the Pawnee Native American tribe located on the Platte River. She serves as co-director of the American Tapestry Alliance, board member of the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery at UNL, and board member of RugMark International/GoodWeave. In addition, she is a frequent keynote speaker and lecturer for textile organizations and is the recipient of the Fiber Master Celebrated Weaver Award.
For more information about Zicafoose, visit http://www.maryzicafoose.com.
The University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty and students are admitted free with valid NU ID. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free.
- Dana Ludvik, NU State Museum