Disability Hacks is a webinar series presented by Intertwine Arts and hosted by Ja’el Batyah and Chiaki O’Brien, that will explore the intersections of disabilities and the arts. Our speakers will draw from personal experiences to discuss supports that aid budding weavers with disabilities, as well as highlight the various chronic conditions that people commonly experience within a lifecycle. We will also talk about the creative process, and how it can be built to be accessible from the ground up, to promote everyone’s creativity.
SAORI Artist and studio owner Chiaki O’Brien will present with Ja’el, a weaving artist in the SAORI style to share experiences creating art with adult populations, highlighting the unique aesthetics and creation processes, as well as the adjustments made for the varied disabilities that appear within an adult audience.
Schedule:
Panel Talk: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Q & A & Discussion: 12:00pm – 12:30pm
About the Speakers:
Ja’el Batyah Hatch is an Israel-based weaver and instructor, whose artistic practice combines sculpture, performance, and poetry/prose. A native of Ontario, Canada, she moved to Israel 13 years ago. In 2012, she discovered SAORI weaving. In 2015 she founded Studio Tiferet HaYetsirah, to share her creativity, art, and experience with other weavers. Through her studio and rooted in her own experiences of disability, Ja’el advocates for fully accessible workshops, equipment, and studios. Ja’el was drawn from a young age to craft, such as woodworking and metalworking. She earned a BA in Geography, with a focus on urban planning, cultural geography, and landscapes in literature. Ja’el is also a dancer and a trained EMT.
Chiaki wants people to feel she’s a “Santa Claus” who brings JOY to people! Chiaki became a SAORI certified instructor in 2001 after studying at the head SAORI school in Osaka, Japan, where she learned from and worked alongside Misao Jo, the founder of SAORI. In 2004, Chiaki moved to Minnesota, where she founded Studio FUN in Bloomington, MN, where she teaches people of all ages and abilities. For her, SAORI is not just a weaving style, but a life philosophy. SAORI has opened up “life doors” for Chiaki, unlocking new skills and experiences to build confidence and joy, and instilling a belief that if you try hard, anything is possible. In addition to her weaving practice, Chiaki is also a Taiko (Japanese drumming) performer and instructor.
About Intertwine Arts:
We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring creativity, joy, and self-confidence through freestyle weaving for people of all ages with disabilities or chronic illness. Learn more about our work, get involved, and donate at intertwinearts.org.
Suggested donation: $10
Accessibility:
Captioned recordings will be sent to all registrants after the event. Please contact Danaleah at danah@intertwinearts.org for access questions or accommodation requests.
Image: Portrait images of Chiaki and Ja’el wearing woven clothes, with a multicolored purple-tinged woven background.
