The Umpqua Weavers and Spinners Guild sponsors
a number of activities in Roseburg and surrounding
Douglas county to promote handspinning and handweaving.
Our goal is to educate the public as well as
to increase the knowledge of our members. The
Umpqua Weavers and Spinners Guild started in
the 1940s when members met informally in each
others homes to share their love and enthusiasm
for spinning and weaving. In 1974 the group
participated in the first Umpqua Valley Arts
Festival where members demonstrated spinning
while seated in a field of sheep. This marked
the movement of the group into a more formal
Guild which has continued to the present.
Guild membership is open to anyone interested
in the fiber arts. Membership fees are $20/
per year. The Guild's calendar year begins in
September when fees are due. The Guild maintains
an extensive library collection and has an assortment
of looms, wheels and other equipment available
for members' use. The Guild also stocks a yarn
sales area with fiber available to members at
cost. Booth spaces at the Umpqua Valley Arts
Summer Festival and the Douglas County Christmas
Fair are rented for members to sell their handwoven
and handspun items. Guild Sales Guidelines apply
and are available on request. In addition Guild
members are automatically members of WeGO (
The Weaving Guilds of Oregon) and ANWG ( Association
of Northwest Weaving Guilds).
Our members come from the southern area of
Oregon, with 23 members. Our meeting is the
fourth Friday of the month Sept through July,
except Dec. and June, which is the third Friday
of the month at the Umpqua Valley Arts Center,
Roseburg, The Umpqua Valley Arts Association
provide a forum for sharing projects, problems
and ideas. The Guild frequently sponsors workshops
and lectures by nationally known weavers and
spinners. A demonstration of spinning and weaving
is provided each year at the County Fair in
August and for one day at the State Fair in
Salem. Wheels and looms are made available for
the public to use at these events. The Guild
entertains requests to demonstrate at other
community activities - Pioneer Days ( Canyonville),
Arts Festival, etc. - and frequently is invited
to local schools.
There are many opportunities to exhibit handwoven
and handspun projects. The Guild has participated
in shows at Mercy Medical Center Gallery and
the Douglas County Library. Participating in
the fiber arts entries at the Douglas County
Fair and the State Fair is encouraged. In addition
to the competitive nature of these exhibits,
the entries increase public awareness of weaving
and spinning and provide a means to display
items difficult to exhibit at other shows (
skeins of yarn, small pieces).
The Fiber Arts competition at the annual Douglas
County Lamb Show is sponsored by the Umpqua
Weavers and Spinners Guild. A spin-in and sheep
to shawl demonstration are featured. Traditionally,
the shawl woven during the day has been auctioned
before the evening lamb sale and the proceeds
donated to the 4-H scholarship fund. Annually,
the Jean Esche Award of $100 is made to a qualified
4-H applicant interested in raising a wool breed
of sheep, the money to be used in purchasing
a suitable ewe. In addition, premiums are donated
to the Fleece Judging at the Douglas County
Lamb Show.
For guild membership or activity information
contact
Colleen McLean-Bowen email
3790 Old Melrose Road
Roseburg, OR 97470
phone: 541 673 0827
Anwg Rep and newsletter editor:
Debra Waldron e-mail
1224 NE Walnut #193
Roseburg, OR 97470
phone: 541 672 849
