A Short History of the Triangle Weavers Guild
|
based on a blog post by Paula Baumann
|
Triangle Weavers, Inc. was started on a strong foundation of people helping other people learn the art and craft of weaving and other fiber arts. In the early 1970’s, the Chapel Hill Weavers Guild guided our founders through the process of organizing and writing by-laws and a constitution. Triangle Weavers, Inc. continues with this tradition of helping both members and non-members alike to this day. The guild’s constitution, as written in the 1975-76 yearbook, states that “the purpose of this organization of handweavers shall be to learn, to share knowledge and to promote high standards of workmanship in the handweaving arts.” The basic premise was, and still is, to give assistance, to support, and to save (for instance, from a troublesome warp, or a recalcitrant loom) those who were or aspired to be handweavers.
|
Providing small groups for the purpose of exploring specific topics has ben one of the basic ways Triangle Weavers Guild (TWG) and its members enjoy their weaving efforts and help each other in the process. The first Study Groups noted showed up in the 1975-76 yearbook. These groups included tapestry, dyeing, woven clothing, exploration in double weave and spinning. Members in these small groups shared skills, experiences, feedback, and worked together on problem solving.
During the next year, in 1976-77, the Spinning and Woven Clothing groups continued, a non-loom study group was started, the tapestry group changed its name to “Cross Pollination,” and the double weave group morphed into Independent Explorations, a group with an “unclassified” format and direction that included show ‘n tell, weaving appreciation, and exchange of information and knowledge.
|
"The purpose of this organization of handweavers shall be to learn, to share knowledge and to promote high standards of workmanship in the handweaving arts." |
The documented number of groups over the years has varied from as few as three, to the large number (13-16) available today. The focus of these groups remains to help and inspire one another, and enjoy the time together, as weaving can be such a solo activity.
One on one mentoring, either formally or informally, has also been a hallmark of the Guild’s activities, advancing its purpose. For a while the Guild promoted a “bring a new member to a general meeting” initiative, helping ease the weaving-curious into the weaving world. Members are always willing to advise and help, and the beginner is never left lost in the weaving woods. Learning the ropes through a relationship helps new weavers and new members alike achieve confidence in their new pursuit.
To accomplish all this, Triangle Weavers Guild has sought and received grants, starting in 1979-80, when the Festival of Weaving, an exhibition at the Carol Woods Retirement Community Center, and a workshop by a professional photographer/teacher to help members photograph their work for gallery and designer applications, was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts program with $493. The amount seems small by today’s standard, but it provided seed money for the Exhibition Committee as well as rental fees for a building at the Botanical Garden for monthly meetings.
Community arts grants were also pivotal in starting the Triangle Fiber Arts Center (TFAC) at Shared Visions. Both the Orange County Arts Council and The Woolery provided much needed grant funds for equipment and materials as our group found a permanent home for classes, workshops, the library, drop-ins, study groups and meetings in 2014. In addition, during 2021, MAFA (Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association) granted us funds to purchase video and lighting equipment for TFAC classrooms.
In 2022 the Triangle Weavers Guild celebrated its 50th Anniversary. It also completed a Listening Project to hear from the entire membership in order to develop vision for the future and best serve weavers and other fiber artists in the Triangle area of North Carolina and beyond.
One on one mentoring, either formally or informally, has also been a hallmark of the Guild’s activities, advancing its purpose. For a while the Guild promoted a “bring a new member to a general meeting” initiative, helping ease the weaving-curious into the weaving world. Members are always willing to advise and help, and the beginner is never left lost in the weaving woods. Learning the ropes through a relationship helps new weavers and new members alike achieve confidence in their new pursuit.
To accomplish all this, Triangle Weavers Guild has sought and received grants, starting in 1979-80, when the Festival of Weaving, an exhibition at the Carol Woods Retirement Community Center, and a workshop by a professional photographer/teacher to help members photograph their work for gallery and designer applications, was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council’s Grassroots Arts program with $493. The amount seems small by today’s standard, but it provided seed money for the Exhibition Committee as well as rental fees for a building at the Botanical Garden for monthly meetings.
Community arts grants were also pivotal in starting the Triangle Fiber Arts Center (TFAC) at Shared Visions. Both the Orange County Arts Council and The Woolery provided much needed grant funds for equipment and materials as our group found a permanent home for classes, workshops, the library, drop-ins, study groups and meetings in 2014. In addition, during 2021, MAFA (Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association) granted us funds to purchase video and lighting equipment for TFAC classrooms.
In 2022 the Triangle Weavers Guild celebrated its 50th Anniversary. It also completed a Listening Project to hear from the entire membership in order to develop vision for the future and best serve weavers and other fiber artists in the Triangle area of North Carolina and beyond.