In Woven Dogs, children encounter a tale about loss and the grounding sense of safety within the act of creating – and how feelings of sorrow and safety can exist side by side. The project emphasizes creating a sense of being held through collective care in a school environment. It also supports early reading, writing and literacy through embodied storytelling and fine motor skills developed  through weaving.

A mother loses her dog, and out of her sorrow she begins to weave new dogs – cuddly and chubby, long, colorful, and entirely her own.

Through the story, brought to life with woven dog figures, children are invited into a world where sorrow can be transformed into play and new expressions. After the story, they get to weave their own dogs from fabric strips – leftovers from the tale – and discover how color, form, and hands can speak when words are not enough.

The project combines oral storytelling and textile creation in a shared experience. It shows how art can carry emotions, spark imagination, and create community, even in difficult times.