
Discover Saori Weaving
June 22, 2023 at 10:00:00 PM
Location:
Online
About the Event:
Join us to discover the beauty and simplicity of Saori weaving, a Japanese style of weaving that emphasizes creativity, self-expression, and mindfulness. Led by expert artist, Mihoko Wakabayashi, the presentation will cover the history, method, and philosophy of Saori weaving, followed by a Q&A session.
Mihoko Wakabayashi
Mihoko Wakabayashi was born and raised in Japan. She learned weaving by working with Japanese youth (K-12) who had difficulties in school. Although her major in college was in education, she had always loved working with her hands, especially in art. She learned the art of Saori weaving between 1992-1999 through various classes. Since she opened her studio “SAORI Worcester” in 2000 as the first SAORI Weaving studio in US, she's taught many people including people with various disabilities, gotten involved in the community, and led the movement of SAORI Weaving in Canada and the US while pursuing her own creativity.
Saori is a contemporary improvisational weaving style. Wakabayashi has recently made an art installation, SAORI Bridge Project at Elm Park in Worcester, in 2021, working with many organizations and people with all ages and all abilities which was funded by Greater Worcester Community Foundation. She has developed a program called “Seed to Fashion” and worked with community people and school students for 5 years. She grows Japanese indigo plants, dyes local wool with them, and weaves scarves with the yarn.

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