Photo: Chiaki O’Brien
A loom, a handful of colorful fibers and no rules: This is where Chiaki O’Brien found her artistic voice. While living in Japan in 1996, she discovered SAORI weaving, a philosophy-driven approach that celebrates individuality over perfection. Though she knew little about weaving at the time, the experience immediately resonated, and now she introduces weaving to students through her classes at the Lakeville Area Arts Center.
O’Brien’s passion centers on the belief that everyone carries an “inherited creative sense.” She encourages weavers to trust their instincts rather than copy patterns, emphasizing that art doesn’t require formal training or technical knowledge to be meaningful. The result is a welcoming environment where participants can fully be themselves and experiment with curiosity “like we are 5 years old again.”
Scarlett Larson is the recreation program coordinator for the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Explore more art at lakevilleareaartscenter.com.
