History of Triangle Weavers
It all started with a Festival of Weaving held at the Wesley Foundation in Chapel Hill in April 1972. This event, organized by Pauline Kopec, included a lecture, workshops and an exhibit by local weavers. In May people interested in weaving held an organizational meeting, and in June 1972 Triangle Weavers began holding regular meetings. The first dues ($5) were collected in August, and the first Yearbook was issued in October. A Newsletter was started in 1974.
Meetings were initially held in homes of members, alternating between mornings and evenings. Programs were frequently given by members of The Chapel Hill Handweavers Guild. As membership grew we met in church halls and bank meeting rooms, and in 1977 we began to hold all meetings at the NC Botanical Garden. The membership grew to 104 in 1980. The move to the Chapel Hill Senior Center took place in 1992, and soon after this, with daytime meeting places scarce, and many members working full time, all meetings became evening events.
A second Festival of Weaving was held at the Wesley Foundation in 1973, and then Festivals were held annually at the Horace Williams House in Chapel Hill until 1988. The 17th Festival was held at the Art Center in Carrboro in 1989, and the 18th at the Burwell School in Hillsborough in 1991. There was no Festival of Weaving in 1990. The Festival of Weaving was always open to all weavers in the state, whether they were accomplished weavers or were showing their first piece. There were usually over 100 items on display, and of the 300 to 400 visitors annually, a significant number were from out of town or out of state. The Festival was also visited by local school groups, for whom special demonstrations and tours were arranged.
Separate juried shows began after some members questioned the quality of work entered in the Festivals. The Exhibition Committee was formed in 1978. They planned a jurying process, and for several years organized shows in various parts of the state. Festivals of Weaving remained open to all weavers.
Workshops and Study Groups have been a constant, and constantly changing, feature of TW since the beginning. One, two and three day workshops have featured local and national teachers, with subjects including spinning, pattern weaving of many kinds, dyeing (natural and chemical), off loom weaving, basket making, tapestries, clothing, paper making and surface design.
In 1974 three books were purchased for use by members. When Sue Chase died in 1979 her books and equipment were donated to TW. Our library has grown exponentially since then, with purchased and donated books. In 1973 a loom, spinning wheel and a carder were bought, and our rental equipment grew with the addition of two looms from Sue Chase. Over the years some equipment was sold and some added. The income from equipment sales and rentals went into the Sue Chase Fund, and was used for purchasing additional books and equipment.
After 35 years, TW is still a changing organization, trying to meet the interests and needs of an ever changing membership.
- Barbara Koch, March 2008
