Elaine Duncan

As part of being a volunteer for the American Tapestry Alliance I was invited to Omaha, Nebraska by the directors of the board to attend their board meeting.  These are usually held every 18 months.  It gives the board an opportunity to meet face-to-face rather than our usual method of communication which is email.  ATA is a large organization and many people think that we have an office building, reception area, meeting rooms, etc.  In reality, we are a small volunteer board who dedicate many hours of our personal time communicating by way of computers to run a very active organization with many goals and commitments. 

This year we were invited by co-director, Mary Zicafoose, to Pahuk near Omaha, Nebraska.  Pahuk is a unique place, the fifth and most sacred of the Pawnee Indian holy sites.  It is the place where the Pawnee believed all creation sprang forth and also the Source it returned to.  Its many trails and walking paths wind through prairie, forest, bluffs and river front.  Mary believes there is a great creative energy associated with this land and the board members agree as we work through a new five year plan, review the membership surveys and think tanks.  Some of us arrived a day early in order to take in the sights and sounds of a vibrant arts and crafts community in Omaha.  With Mary as our guide, we spent the morning at the Jun Kaneko ceramic studio, workshop, warehouse and creativity center. After viewing the vision of  Jun and speaking with his staff we could hardly wait to get back to our studios and get ready to work.  The afternoon was spent at the Bemis Center where we viewed art in many forms and talked with a resident fibre artist.  We all agreed that Nebraska was very lucky to have such a wonderful facility.  The later part of the afternoon was spent at Mary Zicafoose’s studio where she shared her work and spoke of her plans for weaving.  We also enjoyed the extremes in weather getting to experience a tornado warning, lightning, thunder, hail and rain. all in one night;  but also walking the grounds and viewing the birds and foliage.  It was a most productive meeting spending long days going over business details but leaving with a feeling that the organization was on strong ground and cohesive consensus prevailing.  I have included some photos of our time in Nebraska.  I hope you enjoy!

The first morning waking up in Nebraska

Jun Kaneko Ceramics Studio

Apprentice hand building the very tall ceramic dongos

 

Finished product waiting to be shipped

Jun's assistant showing the board members of ATA around the studio

Bemis Center Building

Mary Zicafoose Studio

The grounds of Pahuk