Patterns: The Weaving of Mathematics

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For over a thousand years, Coast Salish weavers in the Pacific Northwest have used customary techniques on three-bar looms, transforming wool and plant materials into intricate textiles that reflect deep cultural narratives, symbolism, and the enduring legacy of their communities. This program integrates Coast Salish wool weaving with mathematics through hands-on practice, pattern analysis, and research into indigenous art from various cultures. By examining patterns in Coast Salish textiles, mathematics, and nature, students will deepen their understanding of shapes, symbols, and symmetry, culminating in a final woven work.

In Paimarire, the fiber arts studio, students will learn to weave on a Coast Salish loom, mastering techniques such as warp and weft, pattern creation, and finishing methods. This hands-on experience honors the cultural heritage and artistic integrity of Salish weaving practices.

Students will explore the intersection of mathematical principles and artistic patterns, building confidence in problem-solving, pattern recognition, and interdisciplinary applications of math. They will produce a portfolio of pattern designs while engaging with math as a creative, community-driven act.

By researching a culture, its art, and the underlying patterns, students will demonstrate the synthesis of weaving with mathematical principles.

This 12-credit program emphasizes open thinking, cultural sensitivity, and creative expression. Through scholarly discourse and practical skills, students will gain a holistic appreciation of Coast Salish wool weaving, its cultural significance, and the broader connections between mathematics and art. No prior college math experience is required, and we welcome students who have had challenging experiences with math in the past and want to create positive ones.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies

4 – Coast Salish Wool Weaving: Theory and Practice

4 – Math for the Liberal Arts: Patterns and Symmetry

4 – Student Research Project: Cultures, Patterns and Math