The Koehler Tapestry Studio is located in Eldorado, a small community about fifteen miles southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico. James Koehler designs and weaves tapestries in his spacious, contemporary studio. Several apprentices and students also work there and weave on Cranbrook and Macomber looms. Visitors will see several tapestries in various stages of completion along with an extensive, vibrant display of the colorful wools and silks used in the weavings. All of the yarns are dyed on the premises and are available for sale to both students and visitors. Koehler tapestries can be found in museum, corporate and private collections and many of them are exhibited in the studio gallery.
The following classes are currently offered:
INTRODUCTION TO TAPESTRY TECHNIQUES
Working at the Loom
Participants in this workshop will weave a sampler to learn various tapestry techniques. Tapestry joins will be studied. Slit, dovetail and interlock joins with several variations will be included in the tapestry sampler. Participants will weave weft-faced angles and curves, and will learn techniques used in color gradation. A small-scale tapestry will be woven that incorporates the techniques learned during the five-day workshop. Some design principles will be presented along with instruction in the finishing process for the completed tapestries. The workshop is open to students with all levels of experience in weaving, including the beginner.
EXPLORATION OF TAPESTRY DESIGN AND TECHNIQUES
If you have ever wondered how various techniques work together to produce the beautiful images of tapestries then this workshop is for you. Participants will develop an image, idea or concept of their choosing into a tapestry design and cartoon. Using this cartoon, they will explore several technical possibilities and weave a detailed study for the tapestry. Much of the workshop time will be spent at the loom where participants will gain experience in weaving many techniques simultaneously including vertical joins, angles, curves and color gradation. The workshop is open to weavers with all levels of experience including the beginner.
COLOR AND DESIGN I
Participants in this workshop will explore various color and design principles and have the opportunity to weave up to four miniature tapestries. Exercises in design will be based on a study of proportional harmonies found in nature: golden relationships, dynamic forms, the Fibonacci sequence and symmetry. Color study will focus on the color theories of Johannes Itten and Josef Albers. Tapestry techniques will be demonstrated. This class is open to students with all levels of experience.
COLOR AND DESIGN II
This workshop is a continuation of study begun in Color and Design I. Exercises in design will include symbolism & the design principles of Form; grid structures, tilings & fractals; and the pliable plane. Color study will focus on the Goethe color system and various optical effects of color. There will be opportunity to weave up to three miniature tapestries based on the design and color exercises. Participants should have basic knowledge of tapestry weaving. Color and Design I is not necessarily a prerequisite.
Studio Class
COLOR AND DESIGN III
This workshop continues study completed in Color and Design I & II. Projects in this workshop pertain to form perception and generation and a study of perspective in space. Various modes of color perception and aesthetic color relationships are the focus of the study in color.
BAUHAUS DESIGN THEORY I
This is the first in a series of workshops where participants will explore Bauhaus design theory and its application to tapestry. Lectures will be presented on line, movement and rhythm in design composition based on the art and teaching of Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and Josef Albers. Participants will work on designs that relate to each lecture and have opportunity to weave studies for each of the exercises. This workshop is open to students with some experience in weaving tapestry.
HACHURE, HATCHING AND COLOR GRADATION for TAPESTRY
Participants will weave a sampler to learn various color gradation techniques and their uses in tapestry. Techniques taught in the workshop will include: hachure, hatching, the use of demi-duites, horizontal and vertical color gradation, and color mixing in weft bundles. A small-scale tapestry will be woven incorporating the various techniques.
Participants should have a basic knowledge of tapestry techniques.
STUDIO WORKSHOP
This class varies in length and involves students who are at more intermediate to advanced levels of tapestry technique and design.
Generally, students design a larger scale tapestry and weave it in the studio with assistance and direction from James.
DYE WORKSHOP
This workshop is limited to a single student who learns and is actively involved in the dye process. Often, students will dye yarn in a palette of colors for their own use.
SCHEDULE
Workshops are 5 days. The schedule is Saturday through Wednesday, 9 am until 5 pm each day. Cost is $150/day plus the cost of materials used in the workshop. Seminars are 1–4 days. Cost for seminars is $200/day. Workshops and seminars are scheduled with individual students throughout the year and time is usually available unless James is teaching in another location.
INDIVIDUAL STUDIO CLASSES
Available by appointment.