Mayan Backstrap Loom Weaving with Sari Monroy Solís- June 7

Description

Taught by Sari Monroy Solís 

Saturday, June 7th from 10am - 4:30pm (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

Health, Safety & Accessibility

Community care and inclusivity lay at the core of Sooki. We believe that creativity requires vulnerability and over the last four years we have worked to foster a feeling of safety within the studio. This intention is reflected in our policies, studio setup, and collective efforts.

We are fortunate to have an indoor/outdoor space that offers a safe haven, particularly for our immunocompromised community members who are at higher risk for Covid, flu, RSV, colds, and other infections. 

To ensure a safer space for everyone, we now require masks for all programming and are providing N95 and KN95 masks. Masks also protect us from clay & glaze dust that can become harmful with longterm inhalation. We ask that everyone work with us, so that we can collectively create a feeling of safety, community and connection. 

We are adjusting to the tragic new reality within our city, post-LA wild fires, and are evaluating how best to adapt our space as both a resource and to improve air quality within the studio. We are working on installing commercial grade air filters and would love to hear from those who are most affected and may need other any other accommodations.

Our property is ADA accessible. The bathroom has 3 steps and a ramp can be fitted upon request. On-site parking is available when needed along with other accommodations.

Please reach out with any questions, ideas or concerns to info@sooki.studio. We’re always happy to hear from our community and are constantly working to improve.

Sliding Scale Pricing

Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity, designed to make ceramics education accessible and affordable.

When signing up for a workshop, please choose the pricing tier that feels right for your current finances. This is a trust-based system, and only you know what’s comfortable and possible for you.

The high end of the scale reflects the true cost of the workshop. If you’re able to pay this, it helps subsidize others and makes our offerings more affordable.

There are limited spaces per tier to ensure balance and coverage of workshop costs. If a tier is sold out, it means all spots have been filled. An interest-free payment plan is available, allowing you to split the cost over time.

We strive to make our workshops accessible and continually improve our pricing system. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out!

Cancellation Policy

Workshops are non-refundable. If you can't attend, you may transfer your spot to someone else—please confirm with the studio when doing so.