Category: Events

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Promo Code for Textile Alchemy Workshop

Textile Alchemy with Theda Sandiford
Saturday, March 8 + Saturday, March 15 with a midweek meetup

Take a virtual workshop with me. Learn new skills and techniques, get inspired, and find ways to apply what you learn to your current studio practice.

Receive 10% off when you register by December 15, 2024 with promo code EARLYBIRD

Interested in taking more than one workshop? Use code WORKSHOPS15 for 15% your total when you register for more than one workshop.

REGISTER NOW

Marine line and more

“Textile Alchemy” is an engaging and innovative workshop that combines the exploration of different environments—beaches, urban areas, and even our own closets—to source unique materials for textile art. Participants will learn how to source and creatively utilize found and upcycled materials from diverse environments to craft meaningful and sustainable textile pieces. The workshop emphasizes sustainability, resourcefulness, and innovation, encouraging participants to find artistic potential in the most unexpected places. By embracing a zero-waste philosophy, this workshop invites participants to turn what might be considered “waste” into “wonder.”

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Im Taking a Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque

Ghostly image of a weeping woman with long dark hair by a river flowing through a cemetery

I’ve always been fascinated by the paranormal, ever since I was a kid. Ghost stories, strange encounters, and unexplained events have a way of capturing my imagination, and soon, I’ll be diving into that world again during the Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque. As part of the American Folklore Society gathering, this tour feels like the perfect mix of history and the supernatural.

The tour will take place in Albuquerque’s Old Town, a place steeped in history. This area, with its adobe buildings and centuries-old streets, seems like the ideal setting for ghost stories. The fact that the city dates back to 1706 makes it feel even more like the kind of place where the past and present overlap, where you might just sense something from another time.

What excites me most is the opportunity to explore this part of the city through its haunted history. I’m eager to hear about the legendary La Llorona, and to learn about the spirits said to linger in the old buildings. There’s something captivating about the idea of walking through spaces that have witnessed so much life—and maybe even death. It feels like a way of connecting to the city on a deeper level, where history isn’t just something you read about, but something you might feel in the air.

I’m also really looking forward to experiencing Gabino Noriega’s storytelling. I’m sure his knowledge of local folklore will bring these tales to life in a way that lets us glimpse into Albuquerque’s ghostly past. It’s a chance to not just hear stories but to feel them, surrounded by the very streets and buildings where these legends were born.

For me, this isn’t just about ghost stories, though. It’s about how folklore gives us a way to engage with history, to connect with the past in a way that’s personal, even emotional. I can’t wait to see what Old Town has in store.

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Artist Talk Tonight: Last Chance to Register

Free Your Mind is a public textile art endeavor with the objective of gathering, showcasing, embedding, and liberating personal narratives surrounding microaggressions through a multi-sensory installation.

Join me on Zoom or in-person for a powerful and engaging artist talk about this project. This event is a unique opportunity to hear about the Free Your Mind art installation project at Touchstone. I will share the creative journey and insights related to the project.

Please Register in Advance for tonight’s 6:00pm ET Zoom Talk:

Register for SEPTEMBER 24

Please call Touchstone’s office at 724-329-1370 if you would like to attend the Artist Talk in person.

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Spinning and Weaving Week

The crafts of spinning, weaving, dyeing, and basket weaving are as ancient as our history; they are the threads that bind us to our ancestors and to each other. Our crafts know no national boundary. They are a part of the heritage of the world. The Spinning and Weaving Week celebration reflects the truly international membership of the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., and the international traditions of our crafts. Fiber artists from around the world are invited to join together in celebration of our common heritage.

Spinning and Weaving Week is celebrated every October during the first full week of the month (Monday-Sunday)

Spinning and Weaving Week 2024
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Unveil the Power of Stories with Theda Sandiford at Touchstone Center for Crafts

An Invitation to Reflect and Engage

Touchstone Center for Crafts invites you to the Free Your Mind Artist Talk with me, Theda Sandiford. Join us on d Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. for an enlightening experience, available both in-person and on Zoom.

Exploring Free Your Mind

Free Your Mind project is a public textile art installation that collects, showcases, and liberates personal narratives about microaggressions. This project not only highlights these experiences but also provides a platform for healing and awareness through art.

Event Features

  • Direct from the Artist: Hear Theda Sandiford discuss the creative journey and the impactful stories behind Free Your Mind.
  • Engage in Dialogue: Participate in a thought-provoking conversation about the role of art in addressing social issues.
  • Flexibility in Attendance: Join the talk from anywhere by registering in advance for the Zoom session on September 24.

Be Part of the Experience

Join us for this meaningful event that blends art with powerful storytelling. Register for the Zoom talk on September 24 and prepare to be inspired.

[REGISTER FOR SEPTEMBER 24]

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Upcoming Presentations: Free Your Mind at Two Conferences

I am thrilled to share that I will be presenting Free Your Mind at two upcoming prestigious events this November!

American Folklore Society Annual Conference

Dates: November 6-9
Location: Albuquerque, NM

Attendees of the American Folklore Society Annual Conference will have an opportunity to participate in Free Your Mind interactive exhibition and explore their own implicit biases and release any microaggressions.   I am looking forward to opportunity to connect with folklorists to share insights and expanding my understanding diverse American folklore.

2024 Textile Society of America Symposium: “Shifts and Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles”

Dates: November 12-17
Location: Zoom

The second presentation will be at the 2024 Textile Society of America Symposium, titled “Shifts and Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles.” During this virtual event, I’ll be discussing how Free Your Mind uses textiles and memory to convey emotions, and create healing, thereby pushing the boundaries of traditional textile art.

I look forward to engaging with participants and sharing the journey of Free Your Mind with a broader audience.

Stay tuned for more updates as I prepare for these exciting events!

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Upcoming Travels: NY/NJ/PA Adventure

I’m excited to share that I will be in NY/NJ/PA from August 24 through September 29. My journey begins in New York and New Jersey, where I’ll be spending time looking after my parents, catching up with friends, and soaking up inspiration at The Armory Show.

After that, I’m heading back to Pennsylvania for a second two-week residency at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in the beautiful Allegany Mountains. During this time, my cell and Wi-Fi service will be limited, offering a blissful retreat from the digital world.

If you’d like to connect while I’m stateside, please send me a direct message. I’d love to schedule some time to catch up!

Looking forward to this inspiring and invigorating journey.

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Engage with Theda Sandiford’s Art at Touchstone Center for Crafts

A Journey Through Art and Emotion

I am excited to co-host the Free Your Mind Artist Talk fat Touchstone Center for Crafts. Set aside Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. for an enriching session, available both in-person and on Zoom.

About the Project

Free Your Mind, is a compelling textile art project that aims to gather and liberate personal stories of microaggressions. Through this multi-sensory installation, I am transforming these narratives into a powerful public art piece that invites introspection and dialogue.

Why You Should Attend

  • Insightful Discussions: Hear me share the creative and emotional process behind Free Your Mind.
  • Community Engagement: Participate in discussions that highlight the significance of addressing microaggressions through art.
  • Convenient Access: Whether you’re attending in person or via Zoom, make sure to register in advance for the online session on September 24.

Reserve Your Spot

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with art that speaks volumes. Register for the Zoom talk on September 24 and join us in celebrating the power of artistic expression.

[REGISTER FOR SEPTEMBER 24]

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Experience the Transformative Power of Art

Art with a Purpose

I am thrilled to invite you to the Free Your Mind Artist Talk at Touchstone Center for Crafts. Join me on Tuesday, September 24 at 6 p.m. to explore the profound impact of my work, either in person or through Zoom.

The Heart of Free Your Mind

Free Your Mind project is more than just art; it is a public textile installation that captures and liberates personal stories of microaggressions. This powerful work uses the medium of textile to weave together narratives that resonate on a deeply emotional level.

Event Highlights

  • Artist’s Perspective: Learn directly from me about the journey and vision behind Free Your Mind.
  • Interactive Experience: Engage with the artist and other attendees in meaningful conversations about the artwork and its themes.
  • Accessible to All: Join us from anywhere via Zoom. Ensure you register in advance for the September 24 talk.

Join the Conversation

Be part of this extraordinary event that combines art, storytelling, and social commentary. Register for the Zoom talk on September 24 today, and prepare to embark on a journey of artistic liberation.

[REGISTER FOR SEPTEMBER 24]

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YAY! It’s Really Happening!

My talk proposal; Free Your Mind: A Social Justice Public Art Project was accepted for presentation at the 2024 Textile Society of America Symposium titled “Shifts and Strands: Rethinking the Possibilities and Potentials of Textiles”. The Symposium will be held virtually on Zoom from November 12-17, 2024.