DUNEDIN, Fla. — The delicate strands of the string might not look like much of anything yet, but with each knot and twist, it’s being crafted into a piece of art. 

It is a piece of art that class instructor Concepcion Poou Coy Tharin has been making since she was a young girl. She grew up in Guatemala, where she learned the art of back-strap weaving from her mother and sister. 

“When I was 8, they said ‘you’re ready to weave,’ so they set up a loom and I started that day,” she recalled. 

Growing up and learning this time-honored skill and art form is something she’s proud of. It’s something she brought to the U.S. with her when she moved here in 2007. She eventually went on to offer classes at the Dunedin Arts Center.  

Tharin is offering detailed classes where she gets into the history of back-strap weaving. This specific technique is one of the oldest forms of weaving. Historians found evidence that the style was used back in the Iron Age. It’s still practiced today in places like the highlands of Guatemala and in countries around the world, including Peru, China, Japan, and Mexico. 

It’s Tharin’s hope that in offering these classes, she’ll be able to inspire a new generation and keep the art of back strap weaving alive. 

“It means a lot to me that I can share this because I want people to know that indigenous people still live and still have this traditional type of weaving that’s been passed down through so many generations,” she said.

The Dunedin Arts Center offers a variety of unique classes. They also have a number of events they host throughout the year. For more information on the center and classes.