#textule

San Floro, Calabria, Italy

San Floro is a small village in Calabria, perched among olive groves, mulberry trees and hills overlooking the Ionian Sea. Despite its size, it holds a remarkable heritage — the ancient tradition of silk-making.

As far back as the Middle Ages, nearby Catanzaro was renowned across Europe for its fine silk fabrics. In San Floro, this art has been revived by young artisans who have brought back the cultivation of mulberry trees and the raising of silkworms, following natural and sustainable methods.

Today, the village stands as a symbol of rural revival, where silk is not just a product, but a reflection of identity, memory, and timeless beauty.

Photos by Terre Ioniche

Katie's Broom Bench design was selected for inclusion as part of the Renwick Gallery's State Fairs: Growing American Craft, Aug 22 - Sept 7, 2026

Katie led the construction of five of these benches to be available for use by guests to the museum.

“The bundles that create the Broom Bench 'Skirt' are made from Broomcorn, a variety of sorghum that is traditionally used for making brooms and brushes. This broomcorn is bound under tension to a wooden dowel which is used in affixing the bundle to the bench seat. Each Ash or Cherry seat has an average of 113 brush bundles. Hidden within the broomcorn skirt is a sturdy base that gives the bench the strength to be functional as a place to rest. The seat is textured with a carved pattern that creates visual interest and invites touch. Each handle is a bent lamination of 1/16 inch thick pieces of ash that are then rounded and shaped by hand. Broomcorn stalks are used to create the woven detail on the handles.”

ig: @bcstudentcraft