Syvilla Tweed Bolson
Syvilla Bolson (1928-)
"Flower Garden (Blomsterbed) "
Weaving, ca. 1980
LFAC #1996:03:01
Biography
Syvilla Bolson was born on August 8,1928, on a farm near Joice, Iowa. After graduating from Luther College with a degree in religion and elementary education in 1949, she took some graduate courses at the University of Iowa. She also completed coursework offered by the Keystone Education Agency. She has studied with several well-known fiber artists at Vesterheim, the Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, and also traveled to Norway to observe and study weaving techniques from professional weavers.
Bolson taught public school in Forest City, IA, and was associated with the PAVE program (Program Alternatives in Vocational Education), a cooperative project by the Keystone AEA and Northeast Iowa Technical Institute (now Northeast Iowa Community College). Married since 1951, she has made her home in Decorah. She served as a substitute teacher in the Decorah Community Schools from 1961-1992. She has also volunteered in the primary art program. Bolson offers workshops, is a demonstrator of weaving and provides private instruction to students about the craft.
Bolson has had a strong interest in the American Association of University Women, Decorah branch, serving in various capacities within that organization. She was the recipient of a “Named Gift” award from AAUW in 1978. She has had been heavily involved in the arts in the Decorah area, working with the Decorah Arts Council and the Decorah Community Concert Association.
Syvilla Bolson (1928-)
"Windows of Learning"
Weaving, 1989
LFAC #783
Bolson began spinning and weaving in 1973. She learned the craft originally from her father who created wheel rugs. During her career, Bolson accepted numerous commissions for her weavings from businesses, educational institutions, and churches. She founded Tweeds and Fleece, a mail-order business for her fiber art. Her weaving studio houses four looms of which two are Swedish while the others are American-made. She uses Norwegian Raumagarn and Roros-Tweed, special yarns imported from Norway. She has been inspired in her designs by Scandinavian folk art, especially that found in Norway. She uses primarily Scandinavian techniques in her weaving.
Since 1980, Bolson has exhibited in several invitational solo shows as well as two-person and group exhibits. She has received awards for her weaving at Nordic Fest and from area organizations.
Bolson had two weavings in the Fine Arts Collection. Windows of Learning was commissioned in 1989 by Luther College for the newly renovated Koren building. Bolson spent five months weaving the piece with colors that are harmonious with the building. The weaving involves “the rya technique, a Scandinavian specialty dating back to ancient times. This technique is produced by knotting bunches of yarn to the warp threads on the loom.” The other weaving In the Fine Arts Collection, Flower Garden (Blomsterbed) was purchased by the Nursing Department at Luther College. It was constructed using the Vestfoldteknikk, which features inlay designs in geometric patterns in a variety of colors. It has eight green horizontal color bands and 3 horizontal bands of red, green, black and gold flowers on white ground. It has been missing since 1996.
Ref: College Chips. 106:20 (April 27, 1989); College Chips. 113:20 (April 25, 1996); "New Weavers Use Old Techniques," The Folk Life of the Upper Midwest. 3:1 (Spring 1987); Fine Arts Collection files
Updated
03/11/2009
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