🌿 We're closed for summer break from 7/29 - 8/27 🌿
To help keep our space safe, masks (N95 or KN95) are required for all workshops. Please bring your own—extras are available at the studio. Masks protect against airborne illness as well as clay and glaze dust.
Our property is ADA accessible, with a ramp available for the bathroom (3 steps). On-site parking and other accommodations are available—email us with any needs: info@sooki.studio.
Our sliding scale is a tool for social equity, designed to make ceramics education accessible. Please choose the tier that fits your financial situation—this trust-based system helps us support more people.
The higher tiers reflect the full cost and subsidize lower tiers. Limited spots are available at each level. We also offer interest-free payment plans.
Questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you.
Workshops are non-refundable, but you may transfer your spot to someone else—just let us know in advance.
Students receive open studio access during their workshop, Thursday–Monday from 11am to 8pm, plus a 10% discount at Sooki Supply.
Description
Taught by Sari Monroy Solís
Saturday, October 18th from 11am - 5:30pm
With 30 minute lunch break
All experience levels welcome
The backstrap loom is one of the oldest Indigenous technologies in the world and is still used to make some of the longest-lasting clothing. In addition to being a very portable loom, it is of cultural significance to the Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica and the Andes. Even today, Mayan weavers continue to make their everyday textiles with this loom.
In this workshop, you will learn the history of the backstrap loom and how to weave with this loom. Students will learn about several Mesomerican weaving techniques and in particularly those of Sari’s paternal homeland in Sacatepequez, Guatemala. The class will cover the history of the loom, how the body connects to the loom, loom components, and how to do plain and brocade weaving. Throughout these steps, you will learn about motifs (symbols) and their origins and understand how to design your own patterns.
Materials Included: a fully warped student loom that is yours to take home
What to bring: a cushion for more comfortable seating (if desired), personal snacks, lunch, a water bottle, and your reading glasses, should you need them. We will be working with fine cotton threads.
There is a limited amount of spaces in this class and the studio would like to encourage diasporic individuals who have a connection to this loom or tradition in working with cotton to register.
Instructor
Sari Monroy Solís is a Mayan fiber artist and backstrap loom weaver living in the Bay Area (Ohlone Lands). The backstrap loom called to Sari ever since she was a child, and she saw the loom her father brought with him when he migrated from Guatemala. Sari first learned to weave from elders in her father's Mayan community in Guatemala. Working with the loom inspired Sari to research ancestral Indigenous fibers, dyes, and weaving techniques throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and the Andes. She teaches fiber arts, natural dyes, and botanical/fungi paint-making with the blessing of her teachers and elders.
Sari enjoys restoring old güipiles and documenting their stories and intricate motifs. When she is not in California, Sari spends time in Mexico and Guatemala with her family and elders. In addition to fiber arts, Sari studies plant medicine. You can follow her as she continues to document ancestral traditions on IG: @theblueweaver
Dress in comfortable clothing you don't mind getting a little messy. All materials we use will not stain.
We’ve got all the tools and materials covered—just bring a notebook, some water, and any favorite clay tools you can’t live without.
We’ll have all the basics ready—tools, materials, water, tea, coffee, and a few light snacks to keep you going.
Experience levels vary from workshop to workshop—peek at the description to see if it’s the right fit, or reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Yes! The studio is dog friendly. Visit Sooki Supply for a dog treat :)
Masks are required for all workshops to help keep our space safer and more accessible. You're welcome to work outside mask-free—just pop one on when coming in and out of the studio.
We bisque fire to cone 06 and glaze fire to cone 5.
Yes! You can learn more here.
No problem—you can keep working during Open Studio time after the workshop has finished. Learn more here.
It depends on the workshop—we’ll note when they’re family-friendly. You're always welcome to bring your child along.
Receive special offers and first look at upcoming programing.
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