Appalachian macramé workshop planned for November 16

ISSUED: 9 November 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: Dana Costa

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - A special program exploring the art of Appalachian macramé will take place Wednesday, November 16, from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Scarborough Library Reading Room. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Shepherd University Office of Diversity and Equity, Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities, Art Education Program, and Shepherdstown Middle School.

Art Education major Rebecca Kandalis of Shepherdstown has been working with teacher Katie MacKinnon's art classes at Shepherdstown Middle School on the macramé project. Members from the campus and community donated about 400 recycled T-shirts that are cut into loops so they can be woven together. Kandalis and other art education majors worked with MacKinnon's middle school students to create small round rugs or wall hangings using hula-hoops as looms.

During the event at Shepherd, MacKinnon will give a presentation about Appalachian macramé and Kandalis will demonstrate how it's done. Participants will then be given pre-cut T-shirt loops and hula-hoops so they can experience weaving.

Kandalis is a junior whose goal is to work with high school students teaching them to express themselves through art and creating a safe place in her classroom for self-expression and learning. MacKinnon has taught visual arts in Jefferson County Schools for seven years. She earned her master's degree in curriculum and instruction at Shepherd.

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