Lecture in Los Angeles: Saturday, January 26, 2019, "Woven Treasures: a History of Tibetan Rugs and Current Production" with Steve Laska, Founder, Endless Knot Rug Company Petaluma, Ca., presented by Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Inc. The extremely high elevations of the Himalayan range was and is mostly suitable for herding wool-bearing herbivores, including sheep and yaks. As such, Tibet has been a source of wool production and rug weaving for many centuries, especially for furnishings for Buddhist monasteries, where monks sit on rows of square rugs, and tiger pelt patterns are used for ceremonies. a traditional 3 x 5 size was used by nomads for bedding, and saddle blankets were woven for horsemen. In 1959, during a massive Tibetan revolt against the Chinese occupiers who had invaded Tibet in 1949, the Dalai Lama was forced to escape to Dharma Sala in Northern India, along with much of the general population which fled on foot via the treacherous route over the Himalaya range into India and Nepal. Only a handful of Tibetans in Nepal knew the art of weaving rugs. During the late 1970’s, carpet appreciators began to notice the value of producing carpets in Nepal for the Western market, which was the case with American Steve Laska, who lived in Nepal for a time, and began his import business to the Us as a small sideline.  Eventually he created the Endless Knot Rug Company, which develops designs for the international market.  His talk will include the history and use of Tibetan rugs, and discuss the story of the company, showing the production process from design to final stretching, along with cultural aspects of Nepal and Tibet. Steve Laska graduated from Uc Santa Barbara.  He participated in a cultural exchange program in Nepal in 1972, where he became fascinated with the local culture and the Himalaya Mountains.  After this program, Steve decided to return to Nepal, but first learned about the import business by purchasing textiles in Guatemala and Mexico, where he also learned about weaving.  After getting an education and license in Marriage and Family Counseling, he practiced this profession while growing his carpet importing business.  Eventually he devoted his entire energy to managing his rug business, and by 2001, Endless Knot was the second largest importer of Tibetan rugs in the United States.  In November of 2017, he sold Endless Knot, but will continue to be involved with the business for the next 5 years. Steve invites Tma/sc members to bring new and antique examples of Tibetan rugs for show & tell. Saturday, January 26, 2019 ***note early start: 9:30 a.m. Refreshments 10:00 a.m. Program Luther Hall, Lower Level St. Bede’s Episcopal Church 3590 Grand View Blvd. Los Angeles, ca 90066-1904 Just south of the 10 freeway, and west of the 405, near the intersection of Centinela and Palms. Free parking. *Admission: Tma/sc Members Gratis . . . . . Guests $10 *No Reservations required More info: info@tmasc.org