About Me
I’m Patricia Kinsella, a textile artist and educator with over forty years of experience in weaving, design, and teaching. For much of my career, I was based in Florence, Italy, where I coordinated the Fashion Program and taught at Kent State University’s Florence campus. I also ran workshops at The Weaving Factory, my studio at Tessilarte. I continue to work with Tuscan textile mills, creating fabric prototypes for industrial production.
My work has been exhibited across Europe and the United States in museums such as the Cooper Hewitt and American Craft Museums in New York City. I’ve also had the privilege of curating textile shows for the Textile Museum of Prato.
I hold a BFA in Textile Arts from the California College of Arts and Crafts and an MFA in Fiber from Cranbrook Academy of Art. I have been the recipient of both the National Endowment for the Arts Award and the New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship.
Where We Are
The Studio
We are located in an 18th C building that once housed a convent. The studio is equipped with 4, 8 and 16 shaft floor and table looms, warping boards, a warping reel, a spinning wheel, electric bobbin and ball winders, weaving tools and accessories, a library of weaving books, and a wide assortment of yarns. There is also a kitchen and a lounge area.
Guardistallo
Guardistallo is a charming medieval village located in the province of Pisa, in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. Set on a gentle hillside about 10 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, it offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and coastline.
The village still preserves much of its medieval character. Visitors walking through its narrow cobbled streets can admire stone houses, small squares, and sections of the old defensive walls.
Guardistallo is not only a place of historical interest but also one of vibrant local culture. The town hosts numerous festivals, concerts, and culinary events throughout the year, celebrating the values of community, heritage, and Tuscan gastronomy.
Accommodations
In the village, there are B&Bs, airbnb rentals, and a residence hotel. Farm stay residences, holiday villas, campgrounds and bungalows are available in the surrounding area.
Upon request, we can assist participants to find accommodations most suited to their needs.
