The North Suburban Center for the Arts in Fridley, Minnesota, is hosting Weaving the North in collaboration with the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. I recently visited, and these are some of the works displayed. The breadth of styles shown is exciting, and the work is beautiful.

The pin loom is the tool that is used to make the above piece. The modern version is the Zoom Loom, made by Schacht Spindle Company. These are examples of its predecessor; this version is a Weave-It. Probably the oldest one pictured is the one in the brown box; likely Bakelite. The small one is wood, and the one displayed in the open box is plastic. Read more about this little loom on eLoomaNation, including lots of instructions for different weaves.

Chiaki O’Brien is the local SAORI instructor who taught the weaving class I took at a local public library, and from whom I purchased my SAORI loom. Prior to seeing this exhibition, I had been contemplating a multi-panel weaving incorporating land and sky and trees, for display on a large stone fireplace. I love that one of my thoughts for execution has elements like these. From teacher to student!

Weaving the North is on view until April 23. From the exhibition website, “the goal of this exhibition is to educate community members on different weaving techniques and connect visitors to the history of weaving.” In my opinion, it meets that goal. Go and enjoy!