Community

The Iceland Field School includes Concordia University students of all levels (BFA/BA/MFA/MA/PhD) who are oriented to place-based learning and have a willingness to begin or build a textile practice with workshops from local experts. Participants have varied and diverse artistic practices, which they further via the ‘residency’ model that this Field School adopts: offering freedom and focus in ‘place’. Students write a letter of intent that indicates the direction they want their personal creations/scholarship to take while here. Of course, what they produce can shift, depending on their experiences in Iceland. Admission is by online application to Concordia International in the fall before each iteration, and competitive, with more wanting to come than can be accommodated.

IFS particants 2024, in the Textile Lab, which offers digital resources (embroidery, knitting machine, TC2 looms) as well as other tools for textile making. Photo: Ragnheiður Björk Þórsdóttir
IFS participants 2022, outside the Kvennaskólinn, with Icelandic Textile Centre director Elsa Arnardóttir (far right) and mascot Lubbi, held centre. Photo: Kathleen Vaughan
IFS participants 2018, outside the natural dye shed and the tufting shed, for large-scale tufting works, weaving, and spinning lessons.

We are greatly indebted to our teachers, all renowned experts in their fields, who share their gifts with us and open our eyes to the pleasures and possibilities of spinning (Jóhanna Erla Palmadóttir), natural dyeing (Deborah Gray), and tapestry weaving (Ragnheiður Björk Þórsdóttir). Their generous sharing of their in-depth expertise makes our time here extra special.

You know the weather is particularly good when it is possible to spin outdoors! Jóhanna (foreground) demonstrates how it’s done. Also a sheep farmer and wool producer, Jóhanna has a bred-in-the-bone knowledge of Icelandic wool, which she willingly shares.
In the dye shed with Deborah (far left) beginning to understand the calculations that are necessary for successful dyeing.
Ragga (wearing the green floral print) explains the basics of tapestry weaving and then demonstrates hands-on. Our weavings feature images and impressions of place using locally produced materials.