An Exploration in TRADITIONAL Central Asian Feltmaking

The Felt Road is honored to partner with s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: House of Welcome Longhouse for an intensive workshop focused on Central Asian Traditional Feltmaking. This collaborative and exploratory class, guided by Janice Arnold and The Felt Road Team, honors Indigenous felting traditions. It offers a holistic, solid foundation for a deep understanding of this ancient art form through a mindful exploration that is process-based, rather than product or design-based. Students will engage in hands-on, traditional learning by listening to the voice of the fibers, exploring their origins, experimenting and finding new sources of inspiration.

Thanks to the Inspire Olympia grant and our partners at the s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: House of Welcome, we are thrilled to offer a low sliding scale fee for this high value, hands-on educational experience. This workshop is limited to 12 participants who will be selected at random. On May 21, emails will be sent out informing students of whether they were selected. Payment will be due in full by June 1.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Dates: Two Parts - June 19 - 21, 2026 and June 27 - 28, 2026

Cost : $250 - $450 (sliding scale)

Location: s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: House of Welcome Longhouse, Paimārire Fiber Arts Studio, The Evergreen State College Campus, Olympia, WA.

Workshop will include (but not limited to):

• Exploring the origins of Felt through history and as a universal philosophy.

• Understanding wool and Felt in from Deep Time to our current era..

• Considering and discussing ancient design inspirations, rituals, and the sacred nature of Felt.

• Learn the science of wool, and experience why wool felts, and discover how this can guide your creative process.

• Learn basic traditional feltmaking, understanding shrinkage, and how to listen to and collaborate with wool fibers. 

• Study the various Forms of Felt in detail, and learn how to interpret the material. 

• The benefits of creating samples as part of your art practice and how it helps inspire you and sharpens your skills. 

• How to document your work so you can build upon and expand everything you create. 

• Start a design concept notebook, and consider the steps to move from your vision to completed project.

• Will include presentations (Zoom and in person) by Indigenous Feltmakers from other countries, disciplines and other related professionals. 

Workshop Schedule

• Day 1 - June 19 (Fri) 6 - 9pm - Intro/Welcome Session

  Day 2 - June 20 (Sat) 10am - 5pm - Class

• Day 3 - June 21 (Sun) 10am - 5pm - Class

• Day 4 - June 27 (Sat) 10am - 5pm - Class

• Day 5 - June 28 (Sun)

  • 10am - 5pm - Class

  • 6 - 7:30pm - Celebration/Sharing Event

Please note: Lunch or snacks will be provided in each session

Questions?

Email us at info@thefeltroad.org

Bio of Workshop Guide

Janice Arnold is an internationally acclaimed visual artist who primarily works with wool and other natural fibers. She has made it her life's work to exploring Felt as both a functional and fine art form. Through research, travel, and working with Indigenous nomadic feltmakers of Central Asia and Mongolia, she has become fluent in the language of wool, embracing a playful and collaborative approach with the raw materials. Her large-scale, visionary, and monumental installations continue to push the boundaries of the medium.

Thanks to the City of Olympia for partially but generously supporting this workshop so we can offer this class on a sliding scale contribution to make it accessible for everyone. Please pay what you can.

To register, click here