Arrowmont Winter Pentaculum Residency

I was invited to participate in the prestigious, invitation-only Winter Pentaculum at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts—a weeklong residency that brings together artists across disciplines for immersive, self-directed studio work. During my time there, I created a series of three woven pieces in waffle weave, a structure historically tied to utilitarian textiles like towels and rags. Through this work, I explored themes of domestic labor, gender, and queer identity.

By enlarging and repeating the pattern, I aimed to elevate this humble weave into a form of beauty and critical reflection. The pieces incorporated indigo-dyed linen silk paper yarn made in collaboration with Puerto Rican women from Trama Antillana, grounding the work in ancestral tradition and shared labor. I also deepened my dyeing practice with madder root and indigo, expanding my material vocabulary while continuing to question the boundaries between craft and fine art.