Five questions with Travis Meinolf
Get to know CCA alum Travis Meinolf (MFA Textiles 2008).
Travis Meinolf. Courtesy of the artist.
Travis Meinolf (they/them) grew up in a small valley in Marin, California, where they now live with their wife, Iris, and their son, Louie. In this tranquil forest oasis, they create weavings, tools, and programming designed to share the beauty and grounding satisfaction of the practice with anyone who finds them. Travis also runs Meinolf Weaving School, where they continue a lifelong project of connecting people and discovering new relationships to the process of weaving. Follow their instagram @actionweaver.
Travis Meinolf, small shelter, 2023. Courtesy of the Artist.
1. What is your current practice/business?
I teach weaving at the Richmond Art Center and at my own studio, Meinolf Weaving School, in San Anselmo. I also create commissioned weavings and take part in artist residencies and visiting artist programs, sharing my passion for the craft with the community.
2. Why did you choose CCA?
At the time, it seemed like the quickest path to achieving my goal of becoming a professor and teaching weaving in a university setting.
3. If you could share one piece of advice with current or future students, what would it be?
Weave your web – the connections you make and the network you build are everything. Whatever your practice, you need others to help co-create the context where your actions gain attention and receive support.
“Weave your web – the connections you make and the network you build are everything.”
(MFA Textiles 2008)
Students are having fun with back strap looms inside Meinolf Weaving School. Courtesy of the Artist.
4. What's your secret to staying inspired and creative?
Transparency and community. I work in a shared studio and make it a point to engage with people new to the craft each week. We are all nodes in a vast network, and when we connect, we gain and receive support.
5. What do you have coming up?
Running a community art studio means there’s always something going on—like the Marin Zine Club every Sunday evening (with vegan soup at 5 pm) and student show-and-tell every Saturday afternoon. I don’t have any retrospectives or group shows coming up right now, but I just confirmed fiscal sponsorship for the space. Follow our instagram @meinolfweavingschool.
