(Reposted from Instagram. Follow me at @caterichardsart).

Wow. I was catching myself saying these previous weeks “I’ve got this broommaking workshop in KC, no biggie” thinking I’d be in, do my thing, and out. Regular grind amiright? Hell no! Never is! This weekend was my first big workshop as a traveling teaching artist and it was astonishing - I’ve made new friends, kept the old, and had important epiphanies about my teaching. Always a student, even when leading.

The condensed format of a two-day foundational class brought both classic and unique teaching considerations to the surface with speed and acuity. All these questions flooded my mind as I assessed my surroundings, curriculum, and tasks: As teaching artists and craftspeople, what traditions do we want to break with? What history do we want to teach? Do we care about capitalistic endeavors? How can, in our presence, we give back to students, the workspace, the neighborhoods we teach in, and the earth? How do we accommodate the functionality of all bodies and their individual histories? How do we teach “traditional” crafts with limited sources? How can we, when we teach young people, do good for the future? Is it too much, or never enough? It’s a lot, but it is a start. Attempts were made to confront these questions, and even more attempts will happen in the future.

I’m so proud of my first broommaking students - they excelled in executing new and difficult techniques and welcomed me in. We talked openly about mastery, vulnerability, passion, and goals. Their brooms are gorgeous and I am excited about what they will all do in the future with their new knowledge.

Thank you so much @formationfiber for the invite - @kctextileartscenter is a beautiful space, and I can’t wait to visit it again.

And a big thank you to @pleasesendword for the sun-drenched coffee, broom/pedagogical talk, and storysharing. How to see you again soon. Keep on keepin’ on. 🧹

@goowitch @reneespringerart @rebeccavaughanart @spinningknitting1