Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving 

Many Hands, overspun shawl, 2025. Haʔməkwitən Kelly Sullivan (Port Gamble S’Klallam). Mountain goat wool, alder cones, red cortinarius mushroom, deer bone, and antler. Photo: Chris Snyder/Burke Museum
Many Hands, overspun shawl, 2025. Haʔməkwitən Kelly Sullivan (Port Gamble S’Klallam). Mountain goat wool, alder cones, red cortinarius mushroom, deer bone, and antler. Photo: Chris Snyder/Burke Museum
Special exhibition now open!

woven in wool entrance

 

Sept. 13, 2025 – Aug. 30, 2026
Floor 2, Special Exhibit Gallery

Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving showcases both historical and contemporary woven items, including blankets, tunics, hoods, and skirts. 

Journey through the seasonal cycle of weaving, from gathering materials and spinning wool to dyeing with natural ingredients and weaving intricate designs. Along the way, learn firsthand from weavers and gain insight into the deep cultural and scientific knowledge embedded in every strand.  

As you enter the exhibit, you’ll see baskets, tump lines, and raw materials — all part of the first phase of the weaving process: gathering. Ancestral weavings—some on loan and returning to Coast Salish territory for the first time in a century — are displayed alongside contemporary creations by the co-curators.  

Touchable replicas of spinning and weaving tools, alongside audio storytelling from weavers throughout the gallery, bring this living practice to life. Opportunities to try weaving and patternmaking invite all ages to try their hand at the skills needed to bring these creations to life! 

The Burke Museum is proud to collaborate with the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center, whose members are the lead curators for this exhibition.
Exhibit Sponsors
Kym Aughtry
Floyd and Delores Jones Endowed Fund for the Arts
Marrella Fund
Peach Foundation