Fiber Art Retreat | Weaving in Morocco

Dimensional Fiber Art: Contemporary Weaving + Pom Pom Appliqué with Jen Smith Marrakech, Morocco | November 6 - 13, 2026

Marrakech has long been one of our favourite destinations—a city rich in ancient artistry that still flourishes today, sustained by the craftspeople of the souks and the vibrant creative communities around them. Join contemporary weaving artist Jen Smith for a week-long playful and immersive exploration of contemporary fiber art inspired by the color, texture, and craft traditions of Morocco.

Together, we’ll explore the many facets of weaving culture in Marrakech. We begin with a guided visit through the historic souks of the Medina, where shops overflow with rugs stacked from floor to ceiling and merchants share their deep knowledge of regional weaving traditions such as Beni Ourain, Azilal, and Boujad carpets. We’ll also visit the yarn-dyeing souk, where you’ll have the opportunity to dye your own yarn to use in future fiber projects. With the Atlas Mountains rising in the distance, we’ll travel toward a rural weaving village to learn about large-loom carpet weaving. There, you’ll explore traditional techniques in a hands-on workshop led by a local rug weaver. Beyond the markets and mountain villages, Marrakech is also home to contemporary studios and textile cooperatives. It’s a unique place to discover designers collaborating with traditional weavers to create new interpretations of Moroccan carpets and textiles.

Jen will guide the group through a series of fiber-art–focused, hands-on workshops where you’ll learn the foundational techniques of small-loom weaving while building confidence with dimensional embellishment inspired by the visual richness of Marrakech. Known for her bold, colorful pom-pom work, Jen will share her technical knowledge of the craft, teaching you how to make your own pom-poms and how to appliqué them onto your own woven pieces and local market baskets. In Morocco, pom-poms and tassels are more than decorative accents. They are deeply rooted in Amazigh (Berber) textile traditions, where they carry symbolic, cultural, and aesthetic significance. These playful, sculptural forms appear across clothing, home textiles, and ceremonial objects, connecting everyday life with centuries of craft heritage. You’ll leave the experience with woven wall hangings, a series of mini rug-inspired pieces, and a hand-embellished Moroccan market basket—along with a deeper understanding of texture, color, and material experimentation.

This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all creative skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.