On May 21, 2011 during Basking Ridge Charter Day and at the VSA Partners in the Arts Festival on June 1, 2011, our loom was open for public trials. On both these days I witnessed the spirit of SAORI inspiring pragmatic language, social learning, co-creation and leadership.
At Charter Day the loom was set with a warp 8 meters long by 10 cm wide. Community members joined us to weave "Wishes in the Wind". Each participant was invited to weave a multi colored and textured strip to embody his or her wishes and dreams. An artistic expression that could be adorned just about anywhere. Some weavers mentioned they would install their work in their yard or bedroom, while others said their work would be attached to a backpack or in their hair. Amar Bindra (age 12) Ria Bindra (age 8), and Hanaha Coral (age 10) joined Lorenzo and I in guiding new weavers at the loom. The new weavers transformed into leaders as they showed the following weavers how to load the shuttle, wind bobbins, or work the peddles. Emerging as leaders our community shined as they shared the SAORI spirit with one another.
On June 1, 2011, Susan from www.artsintertwined.com joined me at the VSA New Jersey VSANJ.org Partners in the Arts Festival at Middlesex County College. Throughout the day I was captivated by the attention and care that our High School Volunteers took to learn from and guide the participants of the day. After a brief personal exploration at the loom, our volunteers, Karthika, Johnny and Sam slipped in to the SAORI way. Through keen observational learning and social modeling they began to support new weavers. I noticed Karthika, Johnny and Sam would invite each new weaver to choice a color, begin at the loom and offer direction if someone needed to untangle a yarn or shared with students how to embed material into their work.
Similar my observations at Charter Day, leadership and learning from others quickly caught on at the VSA event. For example, after weaving on his own a weaver named Devon invited a reluctant friend to weave. The friend Jen was very cautious. Although she had been watching Devon weave, when Jen sat down, her body was still and it seemed to me as if she was having a difficult time starting. Jen's quiet and timid voice slowly whispered, " I need help." I responded, with a silent gesture for Jen to place her feet on the peddles and after I modeled how to slide the shuttle through the warp, Jen pulled back the beater bar. Although, my support was present, I believe it was Jen's friend Devon who inspired her to use the loom." Simultaneously as I was supporting Jen, with confidence Devon said " Jen push the peddles." Placing the shuttle through the threads Devon said, "Now you put it in." Next, Jen reached for the beater bar and pulled it toward herself. The two proceeded to work as co-creators. Devon would prompt Jen to press the pedals while she always pulled the bar. With a smile and a glow of leadership, Devon replied several times, " We are so good at this. Look, we are good" I turned to Deven and Jen's teacher and said, "Devon has emerged as a leader." With an gentle and glowing smile she shook her head Yes!
This is one example of how a SAORI loom and the SAORI spirit becomes an equalizer for individuals who otherwise would be labeled with a disability. SAORI offers a means for leadership and autonomy which I believe emerges into a positive sense of self and identity. When I witness this transformation I know SAORI is one experience where equality lives. For me this means that Weaving Connections has the potential to emerge as a haven for individuals with all abilities to co-create meaningful egalitarian relationships. By the end of both trial weaving events it was clear to me that the group SAORI experience truly embodies SAORI Principle # 2 "Let's learn from everyone in the group."
