HANDWEAVING AND SPINNING ACTIVITIES IN NEW TECUMSETH

Today we often take cloth for grant but, for thousands of years, its production was an important part of daily life. Around the world, artistans produce unique yarns and fabrics using time-honoured traditions of hand spinning and hand weaving. Today its importance can still be seen in countries such as India, where thread and cloth production by hand is still part of a tradition passed down through generations.

Next week, from May 1 to 3, over a hundred spinners and weavers will be gathering at the Nottawasaga Inn for the bi-annual Ontari Handweavers and Spinners conference. This is the first time the conference has been held in New Tecumseth. Speakers, workshops and a juried show all will be part of this conference with the theme “Fibres Unleashed: Pushing the Limits”. Over a dozen vendors will take part with products ranging from spinning wheels and yarn to books and unique buttons. The public is invited to visit the vendors and see the juried show on Saturday, May 2 from 10am to 4pm. There is an admission of $5.

The keynote speaker for the conference is Dr. Skye Morrison, designer and folklorist. Skye works 6 months of the year in India with local artisans, helping them improve their products for market. Dr. Morrison is a recipient of the Chalmers Arts Fellowship this year and she is continuing research into stories told in textiles. She has also collected a number of embroideries by women’s groups which are the body of an exhibition titled Narratage: Visions of the Twenty-first Century Stitched by Indian Women. The show is on loan from the Museum of Costume and Textiles of Quebec and will be on display at the Gibson Centre during the month of May. The opening of the exhibition will be on April 30, 7-9pm. Admission is free.

We are also very lucky to have a special visitor to the New Tecumseth area during May. Chaman Premji Vankar, a master weaver from India will be visiting the conference, demonstrating weaving and spinning. He will also be holding workshops locally. The Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners are proud to be able to assist with this project, the result of a grant from the Ontario Arts Council. The visit will help to foster greater understanding of the second most populous country on earth, as well as a greater understanding of the work involved in producing cloth.

There will be several opportunities during May for everyone to learn more about spinning and weaving in India, following the example of Mahatma Gandhi. In addition, schools are invited to visit the Gibson Centre to learn about how stories may be told through textiles, and to learn about spinning and weaving. Contact at the Gibson Centre is Sue Hindle, 705-435-2828


Contact information for the conference and for this email is: Sandi Neményi, sandi.nemenyi@gmail.com, 705-435-1386