My teaching philosophy is a natural extension of my own work as a weaver, designer and textile/fiber artist. My goal as an academic is to provide instruction in basic and advanced techniques while helping students to apply and extend those same techniques into unknown and contemporary expression. I am dedicated to providing students with a historically based framework that also fosters the creative freedom that can lead to multiple layers of expression and meaning.

The strategies of research and studio work are central to my work. Looking at the coexisting worlds of art, design, craft and architecture, I am always delighted by the complexity of the textile discipline. I appreciate the opportunity to teach students of diverse backgrounds, including both graduate and undergraduate textile students as well as students from architecture, painting, printmaking, industrial design and craft mediums. I believe this variety is essential to experience fully the excitement in the art form and its uses in functional and nonfunctional objects.

My teaching is reflective and responsive to the life of the entire class, as well as to the creative development of its individual students. I begin with the goal of fusing material, color and pattern investigations by teaching the skills that will grant the student the ability to question the medium and discover new ideas. As an academic and artist, I work to encourage interest and critical thought by exposing students to the domains of the history and current practice in the textile field as well as architecture, art and design fields using a variety of films, discussions and presentations. My own education has been extremely rewarding and I strive to provide students with the same experience.