Sheila O’Hara
Oakland, California

Since her graduation from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, CA. in 1976, Sheila has pursued a career in textiles. With her unique weave structure, she has captured imaginary and often humorous landscapes which address issues of everyday life. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including a one person exhibition at the Center for Tapestry Arts, NY, NY and the 13th International Biennial in Lausanne Switzerland in 1987, Lloyds Bank International Ltd., NY, NY; BankAmerica, San Francisco, CA. and Komatsu Store Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan are among her corporate patrons. Her work is in the collections of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, NY, NY; the American Craft Museum, NY, NY; the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Oakland Museum, CA. Her informative and entertaining workshops have been given in Canada, Germany, Australia and the United States.

You may have seen Sheila's work featured in the AVL ad which appeared in many textile magazines and wondered to yourself, "How does she do that?" Now is your chance to get hands-on experience in this unique structure. Students will bring pre-warped 8-H table looms to the class. Drafting for both 8 and 16 harness versions will be covered. This reversible, two-sided fabric can be used for wall pieces, table mats and other functional items. The class will be both informative and entertaining.

Supplies:An 8-H table loom, pre-warped as per instructions sent to students before class. (A floor loom is not used because of the limitation of the number of pedals); warp and weft yarns; eraser; white-out; scissors; tape measure; shuttles; ruler; fine point felt pens (black, yellow, red and blue); colored pencils; 8 sq/in. graph paper (about 10 sheets); slides or samples of your own work.
Fee: None.
Level: Intermediate and advanced weavers with a thorough knowledge of drafting.

Weaving remained essentially the same since 5,000 BC until Joseph Marie Jacquard perfected an automated pattern loom in 1804. The next major development was the computerization of the design/loom connection. Today there are several versions of Jacquard looms used by industry (completely automated) as well as art schools (partially automated). A wonderful variety of recent work produced by artists from Canada, U.S. and Europe will be shown in this seminar. Sheila's trips to Muller/Zell Mill in Germany in 1991 as well as to AVL in Chico, California in 1998, have given her hands-on experience and understanding of these various looms. A wonderful, entertaining lecture/slide presentation.

Supplies: None.
Fee: None.
Level: All.

Now is your chance to get drafting experience in the unique weave structure which Sheila has developed over 18 years. In this structure the color comes mainly from the warp faced twills, which create a single layered, reversible fabric. Drafting for both 8- and 16-harness versions will be covered in class. Woven fabrics can be used for wall pieces, reversible screens, place mats, and other functional items. An entertaining and informative slide presentation will cover the development of Sheila’s technique. A series of process slides will be included.

Supplies: Eraser; white-out; scissors; ruler; pencil; felt pens (red, yellow, blue and black); colored pencils; 8 sq/in. graph paper (10 sheets).
Fee: None.
Level: A thorough knowledge of drafting is essential.

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