Small Grant

My short-term goal with this project is to fine-tune my skills as a fiber artist through a mentorship with Asher Estrin-Haire. I would like to grow my finer sewing skills and learn more about apparel construction techniques and machine repair that I don't normally need - to utilize and grow as an artist in general. The big, long-term goal is to create a sustainable fashion line of clothing and accessories while also working with local businesses to give new life to scraps and close the loop on fast fashion. I know that 2 weeks is not enough time to complete this dream but I think it'll be a good start and an entrance point to learn the skills, machines, techniques, and make the community connections. I am mostly excited to soak up his knowledge but, I also believe this is the start to something really great. We want to eventually serve the community through sewing workshops, fashion shows, etc. But, for now, I just want the time and space to learn from him. At the end of this project, we should have a tangible line of recycled apparel, accessories, and community ties with local businesses to collect scraps as raw materials. I will also have new knowledge and experience that will be very apparent in my work. Another goal of mine in this work is to learn from Asher about machine repair which is going to be immensely helpful in my work going forward. So, I will have new skills, connections, knowledge, and outreach potential going forward. Any new skills will be a success but I have no doubt that 2 weeks' worth of learning from Asher will have long-term and rippling effects on my artistic career. Curating this relationship with him will also make our impact on the community more concrete. I'm excited to see how this will blossom and show up in the Twin Ports community.