Crystal Ball

 

my crystal ball is cloudy

The news went out yesterday - Olds College is cancelling Fibre Week and phasing out the diploma programs - Master Weaver and Master Spinner.

To my knowledge this was the only college level course in Canada that directly addressed learning these crafts to 'master' levels.  (There used to be a textile program at Capilano College in Vancouver, but not to the technical aspects the Olds program did - that I am aware of.)

This is a huge blow to the spinning/weaving community.

Fibre Week had a great vendor hall, which allowed Canadian vendors to meet and greet customers in person, a fleece judging event which allowed shepherds to showcase their best fibre/fleece, workshops in various aspects of textiles, a 'keynote' address, fashion show, the chance to meet other fibre folk and network.  Plus, of course, the five day master classes.  (They say that folk currently taking the first levels will be able to finish, but I suspect that will depend on how many people actually enroll to take a particular level?)

What will replace it?  WILL it be 'replaced'?

What is left?

I posted on my FB page for people to list Canadian events (because my focus right now is what is available to Canadians - there are still a large number of events in the US) and there has been a great response with people listing events they know about.

Mostly my concern is how people who want to learn more, dive deeper than, a weekend workshop will manage that.

Given the rise in on-line teaching, there are some things available.  And, while on-line isn't as 'good' as in person, until something else comes along, we are not bereft of options!

Personally I am doing 1 and 2 hour presentations via zoom.  My focus for the past few years (certainly since teaching for the Olds program) has been on the deep dive down the rabbit warrens of weaving.  So what you get from me is not the basic bare bones 'how to weave' but more about the physics and subtleties of the craft.

Frankly I began with a deep dive into wet finishing - still not understood by so many - and how essential it is to understand the process.  (Magic in the Water)

From there I launched into the subtle changes that the weaver can effect by understanding the relationship between their materials, their equipment, and how to work more ergonomically - which generally means more efficiently as wear and tear on one's body is reduced by using less effort for greater output.  (The Intentional Weaver)

Last year I went even further, detailing things that there was rarely time to look at during the Olds class.  An already jam-packed course just couldn't expand very far beyond the assigned curriculum.  (Stories from the Matrix)

And now?  Another book is in the pipeline.  My editor says she should have a 'final' copy to examine next week.  (A Thread Runs Through It)

Handwoven, Spin Off and Ply magazines are now doing fibre events.  Handwoven, of course, has online workshops based on the DVDs that were produced (including mine).

The Ontario Guild has a teaching program - a blend of in person and remote learning, as I understand it.  The Guild of Canadian Weavers has a testing program (I was the 27th person to achieve the master certificate.  The first was Mary Black - yes, that Mary Black.)

There are regional events - from Fibres West in BC to several in the Maritimes, and stops in between.  Even my small town now has a fibre event with vendors, but no classes (that I'm aware of).

In addition to School of Sweet Georgia, where I now have four classes available, Jane Stafford presents a thorough and methodical approach to learning about weaving.  The Handweaving Academy is building their course content.  And Franquemont University has spinning and Andean weaving (etc) content.

Just this morning I received a request to do a remote presentation for a guild on the other coast.  If anyone is interested in what my topics are, they are listed on my website.

I may be raising my fees this year - I've been told by several groups my prices are too low for what I am providing(!)

My books are available here

My next book, due out in February will be available on my ko-fi shop  It will be pdf only which will allow me to keep the price lower than offering it via blurb.

And, of course, this blog, where I look at various aspects of weaving (and life).

In the meantime, there are still regional conferences.  The next ANWG will be in WA, next year.  There are other gatherings in other US regions, and there are gatherings in other provinces.  

The Olds program was initially developed and sponsored by the Handweavers, Spinners and Dyers of Alberta.  At this point it is impossible to know if this program will go away or come back in a different format.

But in the meantime, we can still carry on, keeping this craft alive and teaching newcomers.  When I started weaving there were maybe a dozen or so 'standard' weaving texts.  Now we have dozens of titles, some of them very specific, some more general.  

It will be up to us, the hand weaving/spinning community to be creative and come up with something appropriate for the community now, in the 21st century.