Andover Weaving: Rebirth and Renewal

Just as Andover was beginning to recover from the gas crisis of 2018, the global pandemic shuttered downtowns and small businesses across the country and catalyzed a social reckoning with the inequity and injustices of our social, economic, and political systems.

As we entered the spring of 2021, our community returned to the rebuilding efforts with a vision for a more resilient, equitable, and vibrant Andover. We hoped the weaving would be a tangible expression of that shared vision for residents, workers, and visitors in our downtown.

In partnership with the Andover Center for History & Culture, we created a large-scale woven public art mural along a 44-foot section of fence on Main Street in downtown Andover.

To celebrate the rebirth and renewal of Andover, our weaving illustrated life bursting forth after a period of darkness. We explored the concept that while the darkness of winter might be filled with feelings of sadness, isolation, and loss, it is really a period of transformation, a period during which things are let go of in order to make room for the beauty of spring’s new life.

We wove rope and other materials onto a 44-foot section of fence on Main Street, just outside the Andover Center for History & Culture. We installed the weaving in April 2021 and left it up through the summer.

We included a community engagement element on an additional 20-foot section of the fence. Modeled after the Scottish Clootie Tree, we invited community members to tie pieces of cloth to this section of the fence, representing a wish for good health and healing.

We also hosted a free weaving workshop, on May 16 from 12-1pm.

Participants both very young and quite old joined us at the Andover Center for History & Culture and learned more about the art of weaving, discovered it’s connection to Andover’s textile history, and made a simple weaving project they could take home.

We are immensely grateful to our supporters. Thank you!

Individuals
Susan and David McCready, Kara Ross, The Pecelli family, Rebecca Backman and Stephen Cotton, Andrea Enman, Leslie Seaton Malis and Andy Malis, Myra Jean Prelle, Anonymous, Kaitlin McCarthy, Andrew McQuide, Susan Stott, Leah Okimoto, Ann Ormond, Jessica and David Bunting, Elaine Clements and Bill Schneller, Susan Hunter-Jones, Jennifer King Maggio, Alex Krueger

Regional Companies
Todd Rogers Eyewear
Botanical Designs