Weaving Community: CATA Artists and Community Members Create Inclusive Textile Art

28 Mar Weaving Community: CATA Artists and Community Members Create Inclusive Textile Art

Posted at 19:27h in News by
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CATA artists and community members work on a felted woodland scene

CATA artists and community members work together to put the finishing touches on a communal art project that has been years in the making!

On a recent Wednesday morning, CATA’s visual arts studio buzzed with laughter and conversation as artists and community friends worked together on an exciting group art project. Using felting needles and adaptive tools, small teams knit brightly dyed tufts of wool into felt panels, creating colorful worlds filled with trees, birds, clouds, and fish. Eventually, these panels were woven together to form large, vibrant “wool paintings”—created not by one artist, but through the collective effort of many!

CATA faculty Janet Reich Elsbach led this project, inspired by a similar collaborative workshop she led at CATA ten years ago. Two of the stunning “wool paintings” created in that workshop now hang in CATA’s entryway—whimsical, lively, and textured, they greet visitors and reflect the warm community spirit at the heart of CATA’s work. (You can also spot one at Greylock Federal Credit Union on West Street in Pittsfield!)

“This project captures the essence of CATA: People coming together to build community and express themselves creatively,” says Margaret Keller, CATA Executive Director. “I loved witnessing the conversations between CATA artists and community members as everyone worked together and discovered all they have in common. Each person added their own spark of individuality to the murals— an owl peeking out from a tree, a burst of colorful leaves, a fantastic sea creature. And then everyone in the room worked together as a team to bring each mural together as a cohesive work of art!”

Check out the photo story below to learn more about the project and future plans for the artwork!

 

Janet holds up the outline of felted trees.

Janet Reich Elsbach (CATA Faculty Artist) holds up a felt panel with tree outlines.

An outline of trees on a felt panel.

Each design was inspired by CATA artwork (like this soon-to-be woodland scene!)

 

Faculty artist Janet Reich Elsbach prepared four large felt bases with simple outlines inspired by paintings made by CATA artists. Each piece was then cut into panels and individual participants let their imaginations run wild, adding colorful creatures and vibrant designs to bring the landscapes to life.

CATA community members start filling in clouds and the leaves of trees in bright felt colors.

Clouds, trees, and animals start to take form with brightly colored felt.

CATA artist Keira Nicholls works alongside Studio Program Director Kara Smith on the early stages of a felt panel.

Kara Smith (CATA Program Director) works with artist Keira Nicholls on the early stages of a felt panel.

Kelly Kaiser and Dan Waite use felting needles to form multicolored clouds.

Heather Wells Heim, President of CATA's Board of Directors, poses with CATA artist Sam Pelletz while working on an underwater scene.

Heather Wells Heim (CATA Board Chair) works with Sam Pelletz on an underwater scene.

Irene poses with CATA artist Jessica as she begins to combine two felt panels of a colorful tree.

Jessica and Irene work on joining two felt panels to create a colorful tree.

Felting is a textile art form that involves pressing, rolling, and compacting fibers together to create a thick, soft fabric. Partners were given square panels to decorate with colorful wool—eventually all the panels must fit together like a puzzle to complete a cohesive image. “This kind of negotiation takes lots of communication, collaboration, and teamwork!” says Janet.

Janet shows how each felt panel will be pieced together.

Janet and Margaret Keller (CATA Executive Director) admire a colorful underwater scene.

Detailed woodland creatures hide among the roots and leaves of a forest scene.

“These works of art embody everything CATA is about,” says Margaret Keller. “Each vibrant, unique piece is suffused with individual perspectives of creative expression, and then brought together to create a beautiful whole. Each work requires flexibility and adaptability, as much as it requires individual vision.”

“Each piece will find a permanent home in time. Our plan is to showcase them publicly so they can bring joy and start a conversation about community, inclusion, and the artistry of people with disabilities.”

Stay tuned to see where these stunning pieces go next! Thank you to our CATA supporters— You make our work possible!

 

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