Why Here?

The Story of the Looms

Affordable studio space is scarce in our region, making it difficult for artists and makers to find a dedicated place to work. While organizations like The Dalles Art Center and Columbia Gorge Community College offer classes, students often lose access to the tools and space needed to continue practicing once the course ends. Even those with room at home may struggle to afford the necessary equipment.

A prime example of this challenge is the story of the unused looms in our community. Three floor looms were donated to The Dalles Art Center, but due to space limitations, they were transferred to the college. With no dedicated classroom, the looms sat in storage until a teacher was found—only for them to be placed in a locked room, inaccessible outside of class time. Without open access, the looms remain unused, highlighting the need for a space where creative tools can be available to all.

We believe The Makerspace 97058 can be the solution—a dedicated, community-driven space where people have the time, tools, and resources to bring their creative ideas to life. And hopefully, those looms will finally find a home here!

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Last year, I was unexpectedly hit by an inspiration to weave rugs from natural, unspun sheeps wool. I think it stemmed from the realization that sheep farming has been an important part of the history of both places I call home - The Dalles, Oregon and Öland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. I had never experienced such a strong motivating inspiration before, and followed it by taking a basic weaving course and talking to a few of the many wonderful weavers in The Gorge.

I spend winters in Sweden, and this year I had reached out to friends to connect with weavers on Öland. I found a group of farmer's wives who are life-long weavers and get together in a historic weaving cabin in a village not far from my house. They took me in with amazing grace and patience. They had set up a loom for me for a practice rag weave, which I was able to complete within a few weeks - super fun! Along with learning to weave, I loved taking part of the island wisdom and gossip. Once I had finished the practice piece to their satisfaction, I found out that one of them had the very material I had been dreaming about working in - unspun sheeps wool. She was happy to let me work with it, they suggested to use it in combination with a rag weave, in a 3 pedal weaving structure. I've been working on this larger and more complex rug for a few weeks now, it's been a delight. Once I got used to this weave, they even gave me a key to the weaving cabin so I could come and weave at any time, even when they're not there - a great honor. I'm in the weaving cabin most every day now, working hard to complete the rug by the time I leave to come back to the US.

I can't wait to get a loom upon my return to the US, and am hoping that Makerspace in The Dalles may be the place I can set it up.

Philip Mascher