From Classroom to Community: Professor Carole Loeffler Thrives on a Packed Calendar

Carole Loeffler is busy. Between teaching several courses, serving as the assistant director of the Honors Program and as a faculty mentor to the women's softball team, finding time to work on her own personal projects, and oh yeah, being a mother of two, there's no other way to describe it. But she wouldn't have it any other way.

"My to-do list feels like it's miles long, but my life is very full." Loeffler explained. "It is full of joyful moments with students and members of my community where we connect, foster creativity, and inspire each other. There is always time for that!"

Currently, Loeffler's work is on display in an exhibition at InLiquid, a gallery in Philadelphia. The show, "The Voice of The People," invites the artists to share their perspective on the political choices we make, the systems we exist within, and portrayed security within our political environment. Loeffler chose to highlight voices of the unheard, with embroidered messages from historic women.

"My work utilizes found objects and textiles often donated by women across the United States and found in the 'buy by the pound' Goodwill bins and other charity shops," she said. "Through my hands, domestic textiles become imbued with the spirit of my imagined foremothers - emblazoned with positive affirmations - as if the spirit of the maker comes to life and offers solace and support."

Loeffler is also in the midst of a long-term project along the same lines of her work at InLiquid. She hopes to create 100 dresses, each a portrait of a woman throughout history. Each dress will be accompanied by information about that woman, giving visitors the chance to look and learn about history.

in nature, nothing exists alone: Rachel Carson, 2023, vintage dress, watercolor paint, embroidery floss, fake leavesfell, 2022, vintage dress, lace, satin ribbon, cardstockBelieve me, I loved you all: Gwendolyn Brooks

"I'm at the point in my career where I want to do these big projects and I want to dream bigger," she shared. "I've been working on this project for several years, and I think I only have like 30-something done. But, in the end, I hope that the project will help people see the complexity of women through history, the good and the bad, and all the in between."

In addition to her work outside of Arcadia, there is plenty on campus keeping Loeffler busy too. She teaches several courses, including First-Year and Honors Seminars. In Textiles Stories, a First-Year Seminar, students examine global and local historical examples of textiles, and then participate in several hands-on projects related to those examples, such as weaving, felting, and embroidery.

Craftivism (Craft + Activism), one of Loeffler's Honors Program courses, challenges students to refine their activist and artistic voice(s) to find a way to put ideas out into the world using traditional art and craft techniques and processes. Students utilize art and craft materials to create "gentle" protests against a variety of injustices and issues in the world today.

"Whether it's a First-Year Seminar or an Honors Program course, I love being able to bring art to students, the majority of whom are studying STEM subjects," Loeffler said. "The reason why I'm in higher education is because I love to learn and do new things, so I want to bring that to my students."

Coming up on her 20th year at Arcadia, Loeffler is still finding new ways to help students. This year is the first time that she is serving as a faculty/staff mentor in the Athletics Department. In this capacity, Loeffler works with the women's softball team to help the student-athletes balance their academic pursuits, career interests, and athletic commitments.

"One of my favorite quotes, which I include at the end of my email signature, is from Helen Keller: 'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.' That's why I like to stay busy."