Community Weave 

JOHN GARRETT WANTS YOUR OLD CLOTHING FOR A RAGS TO ARTWORK WOVEN COMMUNITY STORY!

Marisa Sage, director of the University Art Gallery at New Mexico State University, and guest artist John Garrett are inviting all Las Cruces residents to donate an article of clothing for use in a large woven tapestry to be built during the course of the “Las Cruces Creates” exhibit opening January 16, 2015 at the University Art Gallery.

Starting on January 5, Garrett and Sage request that you donate all forms of knitted garb, including used and old T-shirts, knitted pants, shirts and skirts, which, over the course of the month, will be constructed into a large tapestry. Two floor looms will be used to complete the project, and all volunteers are not only welcomed to donate an item of clothing, but also encouraged to help construct the piece. The purpose, Sage explained, is to entwine and build an expanded community out of the diverse groups who might donate their clothing from both Las Cruces and NMSU.

In conjunction with “Las Cruces Creates,” a group exhibition of artists currently creating their work in the city of Las Cruces, the community is invited to learn how to weave. Garrett will lead a workshop to teach anyone of any level how to weave on a loom. The workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in the University Art Gallery. No experience is required.

The completed artwork is expected to be at least 9 feet square and will be revealed on Thursday, Feb. 26, when Garrett will give a guest lecture about the process.

The University Art Gallery will be open to accept clothing donations  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from Jan. 5 to Feb. 26.

For more information contact Marisa Sage at 575-646-6110 or misage@nmsu.edu.