Baby Blanket, Elements

The Elements series of blankets were designed by then student, now Weaving Manager Emerson Croft ’21, to break free from conventionally gendered pink and blue baby blankets through creative exploration of color and concept. The classical elements of water, fire, earth, and air were once used to explain the complexity of the material world in terms of simple substances. These elements were used in each design to conceptualize the spectrum of experiences beyond the gender binary. Each element is connected to a local natural landmark: water to Silver Creek, earth to Brushy Fork, fire to Burnt Ridge, and air to the Pinnacles. Our Fifth and Sixth Great Commitments to the kinship of all people and to gender equality are foundational influences on this series, as they are a moral framework for our campus community. In this way, the Elements series acknowledges and honors our roots while moving us forward to a more equitable future.