Acadian Spinning and Weaving
Melissa Weaver Dunning and Austin Clark
The earliest European settlers arrived in Maritime Canada beginning in 1632 and were known as Acadians. Caught in the political conflict between France and England, the Acadians were forcibly removed from their homeland in 1755 and many spent ten long years imprisoned or homeless before eventually settling in Louisiana - where they became known as Cajuns.
Two hundred and fifty years later, modern day Cajun weavers were still following the same weaving traditions as their Acadian foremothers. Melissa Weaver Dunning and Austin Clark will share this remarkable story and show us the beautiful fabrics created on simple two harness looms.
Melissa is a traditional hand-weaver and spinner with 36 years of experience working on antique equipment to produce 18th and 19th century style textiles. She began her traditional textile study with Scottish master weaver Norman Kennedy, and carries on this rich tradition in her own teaching. Melissa is an avid tartan and linen weaver and a lover of wool who loves sharing her passion for weaving and spinning with students.
redstoneglen.com/instructors/melissa-weaver-dunning
Austin Clark is a spinner, knitter, and weaver of traditional textiles using techniques of the 18th and 19th centuries with a focus on the Acadian textile tradition of Louisiana. He apprenticed with Elaine Bourque, a Louisiana Tradition Bearer, and has been awarded grants by Louisiana Folklife to reproduce Acadian textiles using traditional techniques. Austin has also received extensive mentoring from renowned spinner and weaver, Norman Kennedy. His work has been included in the Hillard Art Museum at the University of Louisiana exhibit “Acadian Brown Cotton: The Fabric of Acadiana”. Austin is also the Director of Music at Grace Episcopal Church of West Feliciana. theacadianweaver.com
