2025 Field Trip

2025 Guild Feild Trip Report 

Jennifer Marcus' Tapestry Studio and Damascus Fiber Arts School 

Four of us carpooled to the tapestry studio and home of Jennifer Marcus in SW Portland. We started in her woodshop where she builds her own unique design of tapestry looms. She also builds tapestry tables and custom orders. Jennifer was a warm and welcoming host. She taught woodworking for elementary school children for several decades. I am saving up for one of her looms. 

We went into her small home studio where she has displayed many of her tapestries. One of her own large looms has her current WIP, a gift for a recently married family member, a scene from their honeymoon in Japan. The marvel of the movement in the ocean swells and foam on the rocks is really impressive. The collection of her work ranges from geometrics and abstract forms to pictorial tapestries. She has another even larger loom on the balcony. Jennifer shared her favorite books and demonstrated a bit of weaving, then gave us a handout about her work. 

After an excellent lunch we drove to Damascus Fiber Arts School in (no kidding) Boring, Oregon. What a lovely afternoon! We spoke with many of the tapestry and Navajo-style weavers who were busy at their looms. You will likely see Bob (sorry I did not get his last name) demonstrating at fiber fairs. He is an expert in Navajo weaving and design. The school's revolving display was really impressive. Kiki Dembrow recently taught a class at Damascus on transparency tapestry technique. After a couple of hours of being wowed by the tapestries being created, we took advantage of the school's fiber shop. 

It was an interesting and inspiring field trip which we greatly enjoyed. Thank you to Rachael Foss for driving. 

Elizabeth Marker-al Habsi