Purpose
The Olympia Weavers Guild is a group of active weavers meeting together to share information, knowledge, and techniques and to provide encouragement, guidance, and inspiration to those interested in the craft of handweaving. We draw on the resources of our members and on other weavers and fiber artists for our programs and for workshops.

History of the Guild
The first formal gathering of Olympia weavers took place in January, 1944, in conjunction with an AAUW Home Economics program. Called the Southwest Washington Weavers Guild for many years, it became the Olympia Weavers Guild in 1965. There are now over 75 active members.

Guild Meetings
Meetings are held on the third Friday of each month from January until June, September and October and the first Friday in December at the North Olympia Fire Station #7, 5046 Boston Harbor Road NE, Olympia, WA . Our meeting day schedule begins with the library opening at 9:00a.m. , the business meeting starting at 9:45a.m. followed by Showcase, a sharing of members' creative work. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. and an educational program at 12:30 p.m. about weaving or other fiber techniques. Guests are always welcome.

Membership Benefits
The Guild newsletter is mailed to all members prior to regular meetings. Members have the benefit of access to a well stocked library of textile-related materials, as well as rental of guild owned looms and equipment.

Study Groups
Interested members meet monthly to learn about and share weaving techniques. Our study groups currently focus on shibori, basketry, spinning, tapestry, structure and a Saturday group.

Grant Program
In 1991, the Hazel Pattison Memorial Grant Study Program was established to encourage in-depth development of specific fiber techniques by guild members. Applicants propose projects on which they will focus their efforts for one year. The grant recipient makes a presentation to the Guild following project completion.

Workshops
The Guild organizes workshops, which are open to members and other weavers. Workshops are taught by members or guest weavers who are experts in the techniques being shared.

Activities

Annual Show and Sale
Since 1983 the Guild has organized a display and sale of items crafted by its members. Our Show and Sale takes place on the third Friday and Saturday of November. Postcards and flyers are mailed and distributed to our sale mailing list. If you would like to be included please contact us at the information address listed at the bottom of this page.

Community Events, Education and Outreach
The Olympia Weavers Guild participates in community events and educational projects, presenting visual and hands-on displays at libraries, fairs and other public events. As one of its largest projects, the Guild mounted an extensive three-part exhibit of Washington's fiber heritage, Connecting Threads, for the Washington State Centennial. Most recently the Guild participated in teaching a beginning weaving class to local area Girl Scout troup members.

Associations and Conferences
The Guild is a member of the Association of Northwest Weavers' Guilds and the Handweavers Guild of America. The Guild exhibits at the biannual ANWG conferences.

Membership
Requirements for membership in the Olympia Weavers Guild are:

• an active interest in the craft of handweaving
• application for membership
• payment of yearly dues, currently $35

Membership Chairman for 2004-2005:

Tamie Heridge
360-352-4858.

Each member receives a copy of our directory and, prior to each scheduled meeting a copy of the Guild newsletter. To include articles or advertisements in the monthly newsletter, contact:

Joan Moyneur  email

For more information, contact:

Olympia Weavers Guild
P.O. Box 11903
Olympia, WA 98508-1903
or call 360-866-9622
email

Updated October 2007