Description
Saturday, February 4th, 12-3pm
This workshop is led by Levon Kafafian, part of a Visiting Artist Series at Sooki Studio, hosted in conjunction with an artist talk held on Thursday, February 2nd at 7pm. Book the artist talk here.
Levon Kafafian’s practice moves them back and forth between weaving cloth inspired by stories they’ve dreamt and writing texts inspired by the cloth they’ve woven. These intertwined tales and fabrics give body and texture to the many imagined worlds they explore in their work.
In this workshop participants will use existing woven fabrics as portals to a distant landscape: perhaps real, perhaps imagined and possibly in the future or past. Exercises in creative writing will lay the foundation for learning to play, experiment and explore materials through foundational frame loom weaving techniques. Sturdy cardboard looms and tapestry needles will be provided for students to work during the session and beyond, as a means to continue exploring textile worldbuilding and weaving for pleasure after the workshop.
This workshop focuses on making woven swatches to illustrate ideas through cloth. Swatches, depending on size, can be used as coasters, patches, sew-on pockets or appreciated in their own right. Participants can expect to weave one to two swatches during the workshop and leave with all the materials needed to continue weaving at home.
All materials provided, participants are welcome to bring their own special yarns to work with as well. No previous weaving or writing experience necessary.
This workshop is cohosted with GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society. The event will take place at Sooki Studio, located in Los Angeles, 15 minutes east of Downtown.
Sliding Scale Pricing
Sliding scale pricing is a tool for social equity. Sooki Studio use sliding scale pricing to make crafts education accessible and affordable to all.
There are three tiers for pricing, when signing up for a workshop, please pay on the scale what feels right to you and your current finances. This is a trust based system, only you will know what feels comfortable and possible.
The high end of the scale is the true cost. If you are someone who can afford to pay this, please do, as this offsets the price for others, allowing us to create more affordable offerings.
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you are unable to afford a workshop at this time and feel you need craft in your life, please contact us and we will find an arrangement so that you can participate at a further reduced cost or at no cost.
Instructor
Levon Kafafian is a multidisciplinary weaver and storyteller based in Detroit, MI. Their practice is fluid and playful, treating costume, artifact, ritual and social event as narrative threads in an evolving text. They infuse their stories and cloth with future-facing ancestral practice, hybridity and magic, weaving envisioned worlds into tangible objects and ephemeral experiences. Together with Nick Szydlo they run Shaded Knot, weaving portals to other dimensions.
Levon teaches both weaving and creative writing, separately and together. Since 2013, they've taught all ages in various settings across the US and most recently in Denmark for a 7-week public program. They hold a BFA in Crafts from the College for Creative Studies and a BA in Anthropology from Wayne State University.
Cancellation Policy
Workshops are non-refundable, if you do need to cancel we will try our best to fill the spot, in which case we can offer a refund, however this is not guaranteed. If you are unable to attend the workshop you may transfer your spot to another person.
COVID Protocol
Participants are encouraged to take at home Covid tests prior to the workshop to ensure collective safety. As we're working in a very well ventilated environment, masks are optional. If you are experiencing any Covid like symptoms or have been exposed to someone with Covid, please stay home and get in touch.