Artwork by weaver Cathy MacGregor of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, will be on display in ʔaʔkʷustəŋáw̕txʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse September 24 through November 21, 2019.
MacGregor is inspired to create knowing that she is doing what her ancestors did in their everyday lives.
“It connects me back to my heritage,” she said. “I go into a meditative state when I weave, and my mind can focus on the here and now. I don’t worry about the day to day stuff. It is really calming.”
MacGregor said when she moved to the area, she knew she could simply go outside to find materials to make useful items that her ancestors had made and used.
“It’s rewarding to know that you can go into the forest and harvest traditional materials,” she said. “When cooler times come you can go inside and weave. I love making things that are going to be used.”
MacGregor encourages other weavers to continually practice the craft and to find a mentor.
“I learned from people I respected as artists,” she said. “My mentor is Lisa Telford who is a Git’ans Git’anee Haida weaver.”
All are invited to a reception in ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning, Peninsula College Longhouse, to meet the artist and view the exhibit on Wednesday, October 2, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm in the Longhouse. This event is free and open to the public. Fall quarter Gallery hours are Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.
For more information or to schedule a tour, contact longhouse@pencol.edu or (360) 417-7992.