Rochester Artist Builds Loom for Community Project

Molly Althoff is leading public weaving workdays to create a tapestry for a local support organization.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Needlework

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wooden loom with colorful woven threads, representing a community art project. — Artist Molly Althoff is leading public community weaving workshops to create a colorful tapestry for The Landing MN, a Rochester support services facility. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Artist Molly Althoff is spearheading a community weaving project at The Landing MN to decorate the facility hallway. Volunteers are contributing to the effort through a series of public workdays held at the Morph Creative Reuse studio.

Why it matters

The finished tapestry serves to add color and vibrancy to the office space and community area at The Landing MN, which provides essential support services for people experiencing homelessness.

Artist Molly Althoff constructed a 6-foot loom using reclaimed materials sourced from the Two Rivers Habitat ReStore. This custom apparatus is currently being used to produce a tapestry scheduled for completion and installation by the end of November.

The players

Molly Althoff

Molly Althoff is a Rochester-based artist known for coordinating collaborative community art projects.

The Landing MN

The Landing MN is a support organization in Rochester that provides resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Morph Creative Reuse

Morph Creative Reuse is a Rochester studio that provides space for community workshops and artistic projects.

Chris Armstrong

Chris Armstrong is a community volunteer who participated in the weaving project at the public workday.

The details

Althoff led a public workday on October 24 to begin weaving the piece with community volunteers. The project relies on participants to help weave the tapestry, which will eventually be mounted in the hallway connecting the office and community zones at The Landing MN.

October 24, 2026: Chris Armstrong participated in a public weaving workday.
October 30, 2026: A public weaving session is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
October 31, 2026: A public weaving session is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
November 2026: The finished tapestry is expected to be installed.
March 2025: Althoff previously displayed a community collage mural at Threshold Arts.

Culture Shift

This project follows the pattern set by The Landing MN's mission to support people experiencing homelessness by utilizing collaborative art to improve the physical environment of their service center. It reflects a growing trend of utilizing creative reuse and public art to foster community engagement in social support spaces.

Residents interested in participating can join the final public workdays at the Morph Creative Reuse studio on October 30 and 31. This provides an opportunity for locals to contribute directly to a long-term decorative improvement for a Rochester support center.

The takeaway

Collaborative art projects can provide meaningful aesthetic improvements to public and social service facilities. Residents can support these efforts by donating time during scheduled community workshops or sourcing materials from reuse stores.