**Upcoming Meetings & Events (in addition to classes):**

Talk: Working with Wolf: Spinners and the Wolves of the International Wolf Center

Monday, February 22: 7PM-8:30PM CST

Spinners from the Weavers Guild of Minnesota have been working with wolf fiber, shed by the wolves at the International Wolf Center (IWC, www.wolf.org). But how did members from the Weavers Guild of Minnesota become involved in the creation of products made from wolf fiber? Join us for a presentation from a wolf care specialist from the International Wolf Center and WGM spinner, Chillon Leach. This will be a fascinating peek behind the scenes of this unusual collaboration. The presentation will be followed by Q and A.

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Talk: Flax to Linen with Andrea Myklebust

Saturday, January 16, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30pm CST via Zoom

For more than 30,000 years, flax has provided fiber for yarn and cordage. Yet, the millennia-old process of transforming flax into linen from seed to cloth is largely unknown today.

Join shepherd, spinner, and weaver Andrea Myklebust for a series of programs spotlighting the methods and tools used to grow and prepare flax plants, and spin flax fiber into luxurious linen yarn.

This program series is offered in partnership with Three Rivers Fibershed, an affiliate branch of Fibershed, which uplifts regional fiber systems that build soil and protect the health of our biosphere.

Talk: Helena Hernmarck: Weaving the Archive

Helena Hernmarck and Mae Colburn have embarked on a detailed archival overview of the artist’s career, conducting oral histories on each of the more than 270 tapestries Hernmarck has produced over the past 60 years. Since 2015, Colburn has worked alongside Hernmarck as a studio assistant and archivist.

This presentation by Mae Colburn will reflect on these oral histories, and illustrate the vital role of the archive in the artist’s life and work. From weaving recipes, to yarn samples, to charts documenting inches woven per day, to folders chronicling each commission, Hernmarck’s archive is a vast, creative endeavor that has evolved alongside her spectacular innovations on the loom. Informed by a distinctive sense of ‘woven time,’ it illustrates the essential, if often overlooked, relationship between our haptic, material passions and our broader sense of order, progress, sequence, and chronology.

Of special interest to weavers in Minnesota, Hernmarck donated the first several decades of her archive to the University of Minnesota in 2008. The collection is housed within the University’s Northwest Architectural Archives at the Elmer L. Andersen Library in Minneapolis, with a finding aid available online. This presentation will serve as an introduction to Hernmarck’s archive and an invitation to explore and inspire its many applications.

Virtual Presentation by Mae Colburn
Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 7-8:30 pm CST
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Talk: Lila Nelson: A Deeper Dive

Tuesday, December 15, 7:00 – 8:30pm CST, via Zoom

Lila Nelson’s tapestries reflected her irrepressible personality, her engagement with the natural world, her interest in mythology and poetry, and, not least, her political commentary. This slide-filled lecture, including rarely-seen works, is a detailed exploration of Lila’s artistic vision as well as her technical expertise. This holiday season is a perfect time to dive deeper into Lila’s amazing tapestry output—both to honor a singular artist and to remember a dear friend.

Virtual Presentation by Robbie LaFleur
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Talk: Flax in the Field with Andrea Myklebust

Saturday, December 12?2:00 – 3:30pm CST, via Zoom

For more than 30,000 years, flax has provided fiber for yarn and cordage. Yet, the millennia-old process of transforming flax into linen from seed to cloth is largely unknown today.

Join shepherd, spinner, and weaver Andrea Myklebust for a series of programs spotlighting the methods and tools used to grow and prepare flax plants, and spin flax fiber into luxurious linen yarn.

Member Meeting: Thursday December 10, 6:30pm via Zoom

Join us, Thursday December 10, for our winter social via Zoom. Yes, it will look a bit different this year! Instead of a potluck on-site, we’re inviting you to join in as we break into small groups to chat about our fiber interests. We’ll also have a drawing for a WGM gift certificate, and opportunities to share what you’ve been working on.

Event contact and link info: info@weaversguildmn.org

Member Listening Session

October 28, 6:30pm, via Zoom–email for link & code

Over the last year, the ramifications of Covid-10 have impacted WGM greatly. A new fiscal year began on September 1, but the challenges continue. The Listening Session is an opportunity for you to offer feedback on how WGM is adapting to the challenges of Covid-19. After a brief overview of the current strategy, programming efforts, and financial landscape of WGM, we will break into smaller groups so members can share their thoughts. Led by WGM’s Board of Directors, join us to talk about what makes WGM important to you. We hope you leave energized. This session is open to all members.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Join the Discussion! WGM Community Read:”The Golden Thread: How fabric changed history”

October 15, 6:30pm, via Zoom–email for link & code

Join us in October for our first book club meeting. The conversation will be gently guided by WGM’s Librarian, Mary Skoy. Mary also happens to be the one who nominated this book! We can’t wait to hear your take. What was new to you? What archeological fiber find blew you away? If you have questions or topics you’d like to discuss, email Mary. All members are welcome to join in the book club.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Interest & Study Group Mixer

September 17, 6:30pm on Zoom–email for link & code

Now that WGM’s groups are meeting on Zoom, there’s no reason not to join in the fun! Not sure which of WGM’s member-led groups are for you? Join us for a night of Interest and Study Group speed meeting. Each group will present a little bit of info about themselves, with time at the end for questions.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Annual Meeting

Thursday, June 25, 2020, 6pm on Zoom–email for link & code

Agenda: Hear from the FY21 Board of Director nominees; Board + staff review the current fiscal year and preview FY21.

If you are a member, please rsvp using the links provided in the Annual Meeting email to receive the Zoom meeting links and voting ballot info.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

“Weaving Techniques of Guatemala” presented by Karen Searle

Thursday, February 13; 6:30pm presentation; 5:30pm, social

At WGM, in the main classroom

Join fiber artist and expert Karen Searle for a presentation on the weaving techniques of Guatemala, with slides, discussion, and plenty of samples to peruse. This talk is presented in conjunction with “Looms, Belts and Hair Ribbons, Bags and Utility Cloths: Guatemalan Textiles from the Collection of Karen Searle” on view in WGM’s main classroom. Karen’s collection includes samples of backstrap weaving, crochet, embroidery, and brocade.

Karen has been traveling in South America and writing about, learning, and exploring South American textiles for four decades. Her books include “Finishes in the Ethnic Tradition” and “Latin American Brocades: Explorations in Supplementary Weft Techniques” (with Suzanne Baizerman). Karen teaches at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and the Textile Center; classes include inkle and card weaving, netting techniques, joomchi (papermaking) and scaffold weaving.

Join us for a night of colorful and captivating textiles! Free.

About: Karen Searle’s sculptures in fiber and mixed media using various needlework techniques have been exhibited in the US and abroad. She has lectured internationally, curated exhibitions, and judged textile design competitions. Karen began her teaching career at WGM in the 1970s and has taught at St. Catherine University, Canberra School of Art, and at numerous textile conferences. As a journalist, she covers the contemporary crafts field. She has mentored emerging artists through the Women’s Art Resources of Minnesota (WARM) Mentor Program since 1991.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Artist Talk & Book Signing with Margaret Stump, Pin Loom Weaver

Sunday, January 26: 1-2pm at WGM

Margaret Stump has been a pin loom weaver ever since her mother brought home two pin looms when she was 10 – quite a while ago. Over the years she has woven a few really ugly purses and cushion tops, a bunch of blankets that she is very proud of and too many hangings, scarves, boxes, pouches, soft sculptures and purses to count. Margaret has recently written three books– Pin Loom Weaving, Pin Loom Weaving To Go, and Adorable Beasts: 30 Pin Loom Woven Animals & 4 Playscapes. Adorable Beasts was just released in Fall 2019.

Please join us for a special artist talk and book signing with Margaret on Sunday, January 26 at 1pm. Margaret will highlight her work and discuss the joys and benefits of this portable, versatile textile artform!

Talk will be held in the Weavers Guild’s main classroom. Please enter through Textile Center’s main entrance on University Ave. Visit the Weavers Guild website for parking information.

Event contact: education@weaversguildmn.org

Winter Social & Potluck

December 12, 6pm, in the Textile Center Auditorium

Join us for our Winter Social and Potluck! The December member meeting offers a chance to gather with Weavers Guild members and discuss your creative journey over the last year. The evening will kickoff with a potluck at 6pm, with setup beginning at 5 and room to gather and socialize before eating. Please note the earlier start time of 6pm, which allows us a full evening of refreshment and reflection before heading home in the growing dark.

The evening will feature live music, door prizes and drawings. For your drawing entry, please think about the following and bring your response to the meeting: What do you want to know about WGM history?

Please bring a dish to share, with a serving utensil if needed, and an index card with the dish name and allergy information (i.e., gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian). We will meet at WGM. Guests welcome.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Building a Norwegian Sailboat with Martha Brummitt

Thursday, November 14 at 6:30pm, in the Textile Center Auditorium

In 2019, Martha Brummitt received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to weave a wool sail and build a wooden Norwegian pram with the help of two mentors and many volunteers. Her project aims to recover the craft of weaving wool sails and to learn traditional boat building techniques. Come see the sail and a photographic presentation at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota on November 14, 2019 at 6:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Member Meet up: Navajo Textiles at Mia

Thursday, October 17 at 6pm, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave S, Minneapolis

Join Weavers Guild members Jan Hayman and Arlene Monk for a group viewing and discussion of the exhibit, Hózh??, Manifesting Beauty: Navajo Textiles from the Cahn Collections.

This is not a docent guided tour, rather a sharing of impressions of this rare collection of Navajo tapestries. We’ll use the following statement from the exhibit overview as a basis for exploring and reflecting on our experiences: “Hózh?? is a foundational concept in the Navajo world, encompassing ideas of beauty, harmony, balance, order, grace, health, and happiness. It is a state of being, thinking, and acting. Navajo artists embody hózh?? as they weave, and textiles are imbued with and become works of hózh??.”

The exhibition is free. Meet Jan and Arlene at the tables outside the first floor cafe at 6, then walk to the exhibition together. For those arriving after 6:15, head directly to Galleries 262 and 275 to find the meet up. Please RSVP on Facebook.

event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Member Meeting: Open Fiber Night

Thursday, October 10, 6-8pm in the Textile Center Auditorium;

We invite all members and their guests to join us for a casual night of fiber craft and conversation! We’ll set up chairs and a few tables in the Textile Center auditorium, and leave plenty of space for you to work on the project of your choice while chatting with other attendees in a low-key way. Grab a portable project and swing by between 6-8pm for this casual, drop-in event. Friends (and non-members) welcome! Free, no rsvp needed.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Volunteer Appreciation Reception

Thursday, September 12: 4-6:30pm at the home of WGM’s outgoing Board President

Join us for our annual celebration of our wonderful volunteers! If you have set up for a meeting, demo’d at an event, priced donated goods, volunteered in the office, worked on a committee, served on the Board (and so, so much more): Let us appreciate you! We’ll be gathering at the home of outgoing Board member Susan Larson-Fleming in the Prospect Park neighborhood. (Members: the address will be posted in the Draft). After socializing, please return to WGM for a special talk on tapestry with weaver Susan Iverson, who will be at WGM for a weekend workshop on pulled warp tapestry. Please note: In appreciation for your hard work of the last year, the event will be catered, and WGM’s Board will be providing dessert and beverages.

Event contact: info@weaversguildmn.org

Artist talk: Susan Iverson “Enduring Obsessions”

Thursday, September 12: 6:30pm in the Textile Center Auditorium

Join us for a talk with tapestry artist and weaver Susan Iverson on Thursday, September 12. She’ll pull back the curtain and reflect with us on her long career, sharing influences and discussing the evolution and development of the many series of works she has created. This talk is free and open to the public. No RSVP needed.

Event contact: education@weaversguildmn.org