Part 2: Complex Weavers Also Invaded Wichita

Another large group of weavers visited Wichita, Kansas this July. Complex Weavers Seminars is always scheduled just before or after Convergence and in the same location so weavers can easily attend both. In fact, many CW members teach classes at Convergence.

Seminars is a bit different from Convergence, though—rather than a full schedule of hands-on workshops, its main feature is a series of talks given by CW members on the weaving topics they’re exploring. This year, there were 30 sessions on topics ranging from polychrome summer and winter, to algebraic expressions in textiles, to exploring the design possibilities of wire, and so many more.

Poster sessions included this offering about how to mock up garments using woven samples, by Teresa Edmiston.

Other CW events included a fashion show, various exhibits of member work, poster sessions, a silent auction, a marketplace, and study group meetings.

Work on display by Linda Schultz (left) and Robin Minogue (right).

I attended one seminar—Linda Schultz speaking about her work on drafting double two-tie structures using a parallel tie-up and treadling. While laid up for a time, Linda landed on the realization that block designs could be represented in the tie-up by a fairly small group of standard 2 x 2 modules. That particular rabbit hole led her to discovering novel weave structures and novel combinations of structures.

In her presentation, Linda said one of the truest things I’ve ever heard about just about any type of weaving: “I have to weave it because I want to see what happens.”

If you‘re curious about CW but think that your weaving isn‘t good enough, or you don‘t have enough shafts, or you feel intimidated by the very idea of “complex weaving,“ I encourage you to watch these members talk about the group and their work.

On the last day of Seminars, I overheard one weaver sum it all up: “My heart is full, my head is full, and my brain is tired.”

Complexity 2024

Complexity is a juried exhibit of CW member work that is mounted along with Seminars. I was especially taken by Melanie Olde’s Cell System and Rebecca Winter’s Shadow Weave. Rebecca’s exhibit (which includes 4-, 6-, and 8-shaft versions) is a reminder that Complex Weavers doesn’t have anything to do with the number of shafts you have—it’s all about your curiosity as you draft and weave.

Rebecca Winter’s Shadow Weave pieces at Complexity. From left, they use 8, 6, and 4 shafts.

If you’d like to see the Complexity exhibit in person, it will be at Mark Arts in Wichita through August 31, 2024, or you can view the works online, which I highly recommend.

And if you’d like a taste of CW Seminars, you can purchase access to videos of some of this year’s offerings starting in September at The Weaver’s Handshake. If you’re already a member but weren’t at Seminars, check your email for a $25-off coupon. Don’t dawdle, though—each bundle is only available to view for a month.

Lynn Rognsvoog is the editor of Handwoven.