Two-Year Anniversary
September 2nd, 2025 marked the two year anniversary of The Big Rug exhibit. Since the exhibit opened, we have loved watching the reactions of visitors when they round the corner and see this textile in person: The gasps. The hands to the chest. The open mouths. Photos don’t do justice to the magnificence of this rug. It needs to be experienced in person.
Care of The Big Rug
In order to make sure generations to come can enjoy this exhibit, we follow a care and conservation plan put together by our weaving consultant, Mary Walker of Gallup’s Weaving in Beauty. She, along with co-consultant Tammy Martin, an accomplished Diné weaver, textile conservator, and dye master, were on hand to oversee our annual maintenance of The Big Rug.
The maintenance plan includes monthly inspections of the exhibit for any kind of insects or stress. Over the two years, we have found no issues that would put the rug at risk.
Annually, we do an inspection of both sides of the rug, including a full vacuuming, and rotation on the exhibit to prevent stress points.
Dismantling The Big Rug Exhibit
The exhibit was designed in a vertical fashion so the viewer can better see the patterns of the weaving, without putting undo stress on the rug by hanging it. From the exhibit advisement report:
Mary Walker
The characteristics that make The Big Rug impressive make it challenging to display. The size and weight of the rug must be considered in any proposed solution. Any display that involves hanging or suspending the rug without adequate support will inevitably damage the rug because of the stress that would place on the warp threads and the end and side cords.”
Our solution was to design a tilt up wall that would support the rug, with struts to help give rigidity to the wall. First step of our maintenance involves disconnecting the supporting struts so we can lower the wall.
Once the supports are detached, the wall is lowered via an elaborate winch, designed and built by John Suttman, who also built the exhibit.
With the rug flat, the entire textile can be inspected front and back.
With gloves and booties on, a group of six people got on hands and knees and surveyed every inch of the rug, front and back.
Vacuuming
In August of 2023, in compliance with the conservation plan which recommended a thorough cleaning prior to installing the exhibit, the rug was vacuumed on both sides using the recommended low suction, brushless vacuum. A considerable amount of dirt came out of the rug. We continued vacuuming until little dirt filled the canister.
On the two year anniversary, as part of the annual maintenance plan, the rug was again vacuumed on both sides (September 2025). Unlike the first vacuuming, very little dirt filled the canister.
The Inspection Conclusion
Overall, we were pleased with the functionality of the exhibit, as well as the condition of the rug.
Our inspection found the rug in stable condition, with no new observed damage. The recommended program of maintenance, which eliminated years of accumulated soil, has improved the appearance of the rug. Removing the rug from folded storage has lessened pressure on the warps and will help ensure the long-term preservation of the textile. The conservators present all participated in the rotation of the rug and noted that it felt structurally sound during the process. Julia, Lillie, and the Greasewood community wove this rug to last.
Mary Walker
A couple of other things to share on this two-year anniversary: a collaboration with Greasewood, and a name change.
The Greasewood Chapter House Visit
In mid-June, we had a visit from Linda S. Yazzie from the Greasewood Chapter house, along with her sister Susie. We talked about a collaboration to make sure the people of Greasewood are familiar with the exhibit. We have designed a poster and brochures for the Chapter House, funded by the Winslow Arts Trust, and are working on plans to coordinate field trips to the exhibit. More on that as the plan progresses.
The Name
One other thing we did on the two-year anniversary, was to reevaluate the name. To better honor the origins of the rug, we are now calling the giant textile what the family has always called it: Diyogí Tsoh, The Big Rug. We are in the process of updating the exhibit materials to reflect that name.
Thank you
For all who have come to The Big Rug exhibit over the last two years, thank you. For those you have not, we welcome you to come see this incredible textile for yourself. If you would like to know more about the history, click the button below.
