About

I grew up in New York City, went to high school in northern New Jersey and then left Yankeeland for college, never to return. In the ensuing years I married, raised three wonderful children, had three successful careers (journalist, full-time mom, and professor and dean) and finally at the age of 70 retired happily to Asheville, North Carolina. Being the A-type personality, however, I knew I had to find another career. My mother had been a well-known and respected artist and, although I never thought I had inherited any of her artistic genes, nevertheless I decided to use my retirement to do something I had always wanted to do—weave.

I started attending workshops well before I retired as a dean; I said I was “in training for retirement.” When the day came was I ready? No! I soon discovered how unprepared I was. I had much, much more to learn. Workshops were not getting me where I wanted to be in terms of having the confidence and artistic vision for which I was striving. Fortunately, I discovered Haywood Community College close by with a two-year program in professional crafts and with an outstanding fiber studio. I still have much to learn and I know I’ll keep learning for the rest of my life, but now, more often than not, I have the skills needed to express my ideas through design and weaving.

Because weaving is boundless with infinite numbers of weave structures, techniques, and designs, I found myself wanting to narrow my focus so as to be able to delve more deeply into one technique and thus become skilled in a single area. Through personal experiences, I became interested in ecclesiastical weaving because these products have great meaning for me and for those who acquire them. People choose a special tallit for a bar or bat mitzvah or to mark other significant life passages—renew­ing a commitment, completing professional training, returning from a life-changing journey. Sometimes people will commission religious weaving to honor someone special or to recognize spiritual growth. I receive considerable fulfillment from working with clients to produce their vision of beauty and I know it will have as much meaning for them as it does for me.

Contact:
Catherine Alter
(828) 335-1282
caalter@du.edu