|
|
|
||||||||
HISTORY
of the
Duluth Fiber Handcrafters Guild
History Index:
"History of the
Fiber Handcrafters Guild" by Janet
Meany
List of All Guild Presidents
"HISTORY OF THE FIBER HANDCRAFTERS GUILD"
(An article written by Janet commemorating the first ten years of the Guild.)
Written in 1983
by
Janet Meany
1973
Lila Nelson came to Duluth to teach a one-day workshop in off loom weaving
in the spring of 1973. At that time she suggested that it would be a good
idea to have a guild in Duluth. With this encouragement the Fiber Handcrafters
Guild had its beginning in August of the same year.
An ad was placed in the newspaper inviting anyone who was interested in spinning or weaving to come to a "Spin In" at a local farm. Seventeen people came to spend the day on a sunny hillside looking at a variety of spinning wheels and comparing notes on craft interests. From this group a board was formed and classes started at Endion Station Craft Shop in downtown Duluth.
Early classes included off loom and frame loom weaving, spinning, and workshops in vegetable dyeing. During those first years demonstrations were given on television, at women's groups, at schools, and at museums to promote the Guild. Basketry, pattern weaving, batik, knitting, and sculptural crochet were added to the class schedule in the fall and members brought their looms and spinning wheels to participate in an open house at the Chisholm Museum. The Guild began a long established tradition of taking part in the Duluth International Folk Festival at Leif Erickson Park each August. The spinning demonstrations at the steam show at Esko are another annual event.
1974
In 1974 the Guild moved its activities to the Duluth Art Institute at the
Depot where meetings were held and the loom room facilities (5 floor looms
and, later 8 table looms) utilized. An exhibition of members' works was
mounted in the gallery at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. A frame
loom program was begun and outside speakers were invited to lecture. Swedish
weaver Hans Krondahl and Robin Poyner from the University of Minnesota-Duluth
were among the early lecturers. Member-for-member workshops were begun with
one on "Fair Isle Knitting."
Throughout the years the Guild has had many fine speakers and workshop leaders from the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. Among them were: Marj Pohlmann, Ethel Pettingill, Charlotte Jirousek Miller, Cath MacDonald, Mary Temple, Adele Cahlander, Irene Wood, Lotus Stack and Lila Nelson who returned, as did others, for a second time. Also, in the early years, Marion Strawson and Sue Tooms came from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, to teach workshops in drafting and intermediate spinning.
1975
In 1975 classes and meetings were shifted to Glen Avon Church in Woodland.
Throughout the years newsletters have been sent to members two to four times a year. These have included class schedules, meeting dates, book reviews, and, sometimes, reports of workshops and special events.
The "Spin In" has become an annual event with the day spent out-of-doors whenever possible at various locations in the area. Often other guilds from the Iron Range have been invited to share the day's activities.
1976
In September 1976 the Guild participated in the "Spirit of '76 Festival
of the Arts" which was held at Spirit Mountain for seven days and evenings.
The demonstrations, performed in costume, were: weaving on an antique rug
loom, the whole process of flax preparation using replicas of antique tools,
wool and flax spinning, frame loom weaving, and inkle weaving. All of the
craft groups in the Duluth area were represented. Thousands of people -
groups of school children and the general public - attended the Festival
and observed our demonstrations.
1977
Classes with an emphasis on Floor Loom were again held at the Duluth Art
Institute in 1977. In the past the strongest programs had been in frame
loom and spinning. Now the floor loom program began to grow as more members
gained proficiency.
For four summers three-day workshops were offered on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Duluth in floor loom weaving, spinning and dyes. There was a special emphasis on two harness weaves especially suited to antique rug looms.
1978
In 1978 The Tweed Museum of Art displayed the coverlets from the Helen Louise
Allen Collections from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In conjunction
with this the Guild sponsored lectures by Otto Charles Thieme and an expertise
clinic for those who wished to bring their coverlets to be examined and
evaluated.
Another of the early projects of the Guild was a series of lectures and hands-on experiences for the Duluth teachers. A wide variety of classes were offered after school hours. The response was excellent. Many teachers took advantage of this opportunity to enhance their craft skills for use in the classroom.
Pat Boutin-Wald was in Duluth to present a workshop on unusual fibers and spinning techniques and Richard Nelson, a photographer, discussed his exhibition of Latin American textiles and conducted a workshop with back strap looms which had been constructed and warped in Guatemala.
1979-83
In recent years other members of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota have come
with a variety of offerings. Jan Carter taught a color "correspondence"
course and a workshop on Navajo weaving. Ruth Arnold, Linda Madden, and
Susan Brock were also guest instructors. Nancy Butsick from Ely came for
a day to teach pine needle basketry.
A floor loom study group was formed reflecting the changing interests of Guild members.
Several members helped to catalog the Chisholm Museum collection of baskets in preparation for a major exhibition.
Trips to The Twin Cities were made both to visit the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and the Wool Growers Association and to tour yarn shops.
Two looms were purchased for use of members and for demonstrations and a fiber source committee was formed for group orders.
An especially memorable workshop was one where Black Ash logs were pounded to obtain the flat strips to weave baskets. This was held on the shores of Lake Superior at Knife River.
Two well known weavers to come to the Duluth area were Peter Collingwood and Ken Weaver. Collingwood presented two workshops: "Rug Weaving" at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and "Card Weaving" at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Weaver conducted a "Commission Weaving Workshop" at the University of Minnesota-Duluth during which a large wall piece was woven for the new School of Business and Economics at the University.
For programing the Guild has utilized the HGA slide collections as well as the Duluth Public Library's free movie rentals with a sizable collection which has grown through donation and special purchase. This is available to members upon request.
Looking Ahead to 1984 and beyond
As a tenth anniversary event the Guild will install an exhibit in the display
window of the Depot in June of 1984 and the Floor Loom Study Group will
embark on a study of fine setts. A "Friendship Coverlet" project
was completed this year with fourteen persons weaving squares.
With continuation of classes, the regular influx of guest lecturers and meetings at the Depot, participation in the Minnesota Federation of Weavers Guilds and Fiber Artists, and in Midwest '84, it is hoped that the second ten years will be fruitful and inspiring for all of the membership.
The End
Go To: "History of the Fiber Handcrafters
Guild" by Janet Meany
List of All Guild Presidents
HURRAH!
for past and present Guild Presidents
and all of their hard work!!!
2006-2007 Rita Nimz
2005-2006 Christine Hensholt
2004-2005 Chris Jenkins
2003-2004 Sara Mustonen
2002-2003 Dave Kortier
2001-2002 Denise Perry
*2000-2001
Lauri Cushing
1999-2000 Lauri Cushing
1998-1999 Jan Ringer
1997-1998 Karen Sather
1996-1997 Debbie Cooter
1995-1996 Karleen Tjepkema
1994-1995 Marlys Johnson
1993-1994 Marlys Johnson
1992-1993 Beverly Martin
1991-1992 Beverly Martin
*1990-1991
Kim Squillace
1989-1990 Kim Squillace
1988-1989 Patricia St. Onge
1987-1989 Patricia St. Onge
1986-1987 Susan Gustafson
1985-1986 Karleen Tjepkema
1984-1985 Karleen Tjepkema
1983-1984 Janet Meany
1982-1983 Janet Meany
1981-1982 Janet Meany
*1980-1981
Janet Meany
1979-1980 Susan Gustafson
1978-1979 Susan Gustafson
1977-1978 Jan (Stinson) Hartley
1976-1977 Jan (Stinson) Hartley
1975-1976 Judy Blanck
1974-1975 Janet Meany
1973-1974 Janet Meany
* MN Federation hosted by The Duluth Fiber Handcrafters Guild
Go Back Up To: "History of the Fiber Handcrafters Guild" by Janet Meany
List of All Guild Presidents
Return to Guild Index Page Home Page
Newsletter NUMBER
1
was dated September 1973 and called "The
Twister and Thrower." It began:
GREETINGS:
A new guild for HANDCRAFTERS is being formed for all those who work with needle, spinning wheel, loom, hook and spindle.
The name of the guild will be known as THE FIBER HANDCRAFTERS GUILD.
This guild will be a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote
an interest in weaving, spinning and fiber related areas:
To aid members through lectures, classes and workshops and the mutual exchange
of information: and
To develop in the members a pride in fine craftsmanship.
We will try to have several inspirational and educational meetings throughout the coming year.
We will have our meetings and workshops at the ENDION STATION CRAFT SHOP which will be our headquarters.
Below is the slate of officers who were elected at our first board meeting.
| PRESIDENT Janet Meany 10520 No. Shore Drive Duluth MN 55804"525-5778 |
Jan is a weaver and spinner. She has given demonstrations and lessons in both fields. She is now going into yarn dyeing. |
| VICE PRESIDENT Alison Goodell 1401 16th St. Cloquet MN 55720 879-5714 |
Alison is a spinner, weaver, and yarn dyer. She also gives lessons and demonstrations. |
| VICE PRESIDENT & SCHOOL COORDINATOR Pat Putzke Spencer % Endion Station Craft Shop 208-1/2 W. Superior St. Duluth MN 727-3534 |
Pat has taught weaving at UMD and U of Wisc. She does some independent fabric fiber teaching. She has exhibited in Canada and U.S.A. She also is a yarn dyer. |
| SECRETARY & SPINNING RESOURCES Tom and Peggy Gray Kettle River MN 273-4135 |
Peggy is a spinner and a wool dyer. She has given demonstrations on T.V. and in many schools. She gives small group or private lessons. Tom raises and shears sheep. He gives an interesting demonstration on what to look for in buying a good fleece. |
| TREASURER Pat Coleman ??? Stark Rd. Cloquet MN 55720 879-8840 |
Pat is doing and trying everything. She was a knitter first and has now branched out into weaving, spinning and vegetable dyeing. |
| RESOURCE DIRECTOR AND LIBRARIAN Sandra McCormick 9901 No. Shore Dr. Duluth MN 55804 525-2060 |
Sandy does needlework and is compiling a directory on sources of information on subjects you may be intersted in. |
For a new organization they had an ambitious schedule of lessons, workshops and meetings that first year. Summarizing:
OCTOBER: Spinning Lessons for 3 Monday evenings from 6:30-9:30 by Tom and Peggy Gray. A Workshop in Vegetable Dyeing on a Saturday afternoon from 1:00-4:00 by Pat Putzke Spencer.
NOVEMBER: Weaving Lessons (Finger, Frame, Inkle, Back Strap and Twining Looms) on 3 Monday nights from 6:30-9:30 by Pat Putzke Spencer and assisted by Janet Meany.
JANUARY: Spinning Workshop (wheel and drop spindle) on a Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00 by Tom and Peggy Gray
FEBRUARY: Pattern Weaving Workshop, The Overshot Pattern, on a Saturday from 10:00 - 4:00 by Bill Norton and assisted by Alison Goodell. Batik Workshop on two Saturday afternoons from 12:30-4:00 by Pat Putzke Spencer.
MARCH: Open House at Chisholm Museum on a Sunday from 2:30-5:00 which included demonstrations by members and a 1 day exhibit by members. Basket Weaving Workshop on a Saturday from 10:00-4:00 by Bill Norton.
APRIL: Knitting, Sculptural Crochet, Applique and Quilting Workshop on a Saturday from 1:00-4:00 with the instructors: Pat Coleman, Alison Goodell, Sandy McCormick, Bill Norton and Pat Putzke Spencer.
JUNE: Floor Loom Weaving Workshop for 5 days on warping, weaving, and finishing by Pat Putzke Spencer. Open Guild Meeting with a coffee hour, slide show and traveling exhibition on Inkle Weaving.
JULY: SPIN-IN '74
AUGUST: Folk Festival
That first year the annual dues were $3.00 single and $5.00 Family.
Return to Guild
Index Page Home
Page
Go Back Up to: "History of the Fiber Handcrafters
Guild" by Janet Meany
List of All Guild Presidents