About

Artme Studio is a project inspired by the challenge of finding meaningful arts engagement during the COVID-19 global pandemic and resulting shift to online environments in learning, working, and entertainment people have been contending with. Weaving kits can be purchased here and private in-person weaving sessions can be booked with fiber artist Dia Bassett.

Dia Bassett has been teaching art since 1999 at organizations such as: Point Loma Art Camp, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, City Tree Christian Elementary School, San Diego State University, and CoTA (Collaborations: Teachers and Artists). Her approach focuses on the art process while supporting a deeper exploration into subject matter. The end result is richly layered, mixed-media artworks students take pride in having created.

Artme Studio began as an arts initiative focused on a hands-on weaving project, Weave Through It, that people of all ages (7+ recommended) can enjoy independently or collaboratively. Educators and parents can also access educational resources, such as recommended texts and weaving projects for grades 2-8, that can be paired with the weaving loom kit from this site. Each recommended text and project can supplement a variety of California, Common Core, and Next Generation Science standards at various grade levels.

The weaving loom comes with all the pieces needed to produce a weaving: frame loom with warp string attached, up-cycled yarn and fabric, plastic needle, and a downloadable instruction booklet. Weavers make their own choices about which color to use and when. More advanced weavers can create their own patterns. The project focuses on open-ended learning, which enhances imagination, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. You have likely engaged in open-ended learning yourself or with your child/student already if you have played with blocks, legos, costumes, or any art activity. Open-ended learning promotes and develops higher-order thinking, promotes designing, building, creating, and story-telling, provides opportunities for creativity, and teaches learners to formulate their own questions.

A sample of recommended texts featuring weaving themes: Abuela’s Weave, I See A Pattern Here, The Weaver, The Spider Weave: A Legend of Kente Cloth, and Rainbow Weaver/Tejedora de Arcoiris.