Woven from the Odyssey: A Workshop on Weaving and the Women of Homer

Come learn about the ancient art of weaving while exploring the stories of Homer's women in this hands-on workshop. Join us for an evening of storytelling, discussion, and hands-on making inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Faculty from the UVA Department of Classics will begin the evening with a short presentation and selected readings from the ancient poem. Then, guided by local artist Lauren Williams, participants will spend the next 90 minutes learning the art of weaving on beginner-friendly looms. We will continue the conversation about Homer and the Odyssey as we work on our weavings together! No prior weaving experience is necessary. Lauren Williams is a weaver and art teacher based in Charlottesville. In her weaving practice, she is interested in the process of finding patterns, textures, and colors out in the world and translating these into woven structures and color schemes on the loom. She is particularly interested in exploring the duality inherent in textiles as an artistic medium, creating both woven artwork as well as functional home goods that are used as a part of everyday life.