Telar
A minimal computing framework for creating visual narrative exhibitions with IIIF images and scrollytelling.
Beta Release - v0.3.3-beta This release fixes a critical workflow bug. Version 0.3.2-beta added image sizing syntax for panel markdown and customizable index page. Version 0.3.1-beta fixed critical bugs with image and thumbnail loading.
What is Telar?
Telar (Spanish for “loom”) weaves together IIIF images, narrative text, and layered contextual information into interactive visual narrative exhibitions. It follows minimal computing principles: plain text authoring, static generation, and sustainable hosting.
Developed by Adelaida Ávila, Juan Cobo Betancourt, Santiago Muñoz, and students and scholars at the UCSB Archives, Memory, and Preservation Lab, the UT Archives, Mapping, and Preservation Lab, and Neogranadina.
Key Features
- IIIF Integration: Support for both local images (auto-generated tiles) and external IIIF resources from museums and libraries worldwide.
- Scrollytelling: Discrete step-based scrolling with support for multiple IIIF objects in a single story - each object preloaded in its own viewer card.
- Layered Panels: Progressive narratives with three content layers plus glossary for rich, contextual storytelling.
- Objects Gallery: See all the objects in the exhibition laid out in a grid. Clicking on an object provides further details about it.
- Minimal Computing: Plain text authoring, static generation, and sustainable GitHub Pages hosting.
- Google Sheets Integration: Manage content through a familiar spreadsheet interface - ideal for teams and non-technical users.
Get Started
Ready to build your exhibition? Choose your workflow: