22 Dec Senya
Natural fiber artist and keeper of earth-based practices, Senya, belongs to the Oregon coast, born and raised within the convergence of coastal wetlands and dense coniferous forest. Believing that the regeneration and restoration of the land flows naturally from being intimately connected with place and rooted in community, she is passionate about connecting others with skills that allow for co-creation with one’s local ecosystem. Through these skills, she facilitates pathways for people to develop deep, embodied connections to themselves, each other, and the living Earth, moving from extraction to reciprocity and from consumer to co-creator.
Her main craft is wet feltmaking, a practice she traces back through her Armenian lineage, where the ancient tradition of working with wool and natural fibers has been passed down through generations. This craft is only possible with the combined gifts and efforts of sheep, their caregivers, the lands that support their lives, and the creative energy that moves through the artist. Together in relationship, there is co-creation.
Feltmaking is a skill that has sustained human communities for thousands of years and represents one of our oldest textile traditions. Senya’s teaching approach honors the deep lineage of this craft, while making it accessible and relevant for those seeking to reconnect with ancestral ways of making. Students gain the knowledge and confidence to continue feltmaking independently, including the complete wet felting process, how to source and assess local wool, the history of feltmaking across cultures, and how to integrate this craft into daily life. Senya is honored to carry this work forward, feeling the profound responsibility of keeping these skills alive and accessible for future generations.
Senya will be offering wet feltmaking classes in both short and extended formats. Students will learn to create functional pieces like hats, small bags, and water bottle holders.