Straight out of weft field
Talent looms large at latest Weaving Guilds of Oregon show
By Linda Turner Griepentrog
For the TODAY
Over one, under one — that’s the weaving process until it’s done. Well, maybe not quite that simple for some of the more complex designs, like those showcased in the “Filaments” Traveling Show exhibit at the Lincoln City Cultural Center.
The 49-piece display is sponsored by the Weaving Guilds of Oregon (WeGO) and features pieces from 24 different artists.
WeGO is a non-profit organization of weavers, spinners, dyers and fiber artists from throughout Oregon who are members of 16 different guilds. The group was founded in 1982 with the purpose of sharing information and resources, education and promotion of the fiber arts throughout the state. According to Marlene Lloyd, workshop and education coordinator, the group creates a traveling exhibit every five years.
“It’s totally organized by volunteers,” she said, “so it takes about three years to pull it all together.”
The theme varies with each show and this year’s exhibit will log about 1,200 miles during the year.
Previously staged in Umpqua Valley Arts Center in Roseburg, after leaving Lincoln City on May 21, it will travel to Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City, then Maude Kerns Art Center in Eugene, Barber Library in Bend, and finally to Willamette Heritage Center in Salem where it will end on January 31, 2024.
Lloyd said entries for the show come from both beginner weavers and those who have been mastering their craft for many years. Hopefuls may submit up to three projects each and pieces are then juried by a well-recognized weaver for potential inclusion into the exhibit.
Handwoven award ribbons and medallions are given to entrants judged in multiple categories, like Best of Show, Best Use of Color and Design, Best Technical Excellence, Best Innovative Work and Complex Weaving. One entry is chosen for the prestigious Handweavers Guild of America award.
When asked to choose the most unusual of this year’s entries, Lloyd quickly replied with the “Treasures from Trash” wall hanging, woven by artist Dee Potter. The heavy black warp threads are interlaced with plastic trash bags in myriad colors. Definitely not the usual medium for traditional weaving projects.
Another somewhat unusual art piece showcases intertwined copper wire cables with colorful threads at the junctions and a bit of “fraying” at the cable ends.
All of this year’s entries were woven on floor looms, with multiple harnesses creating complex weave structures. Exhibited pieces include table runners, blankets, scarves, shawls and wraps, wall hangings and a show-stopping coat, the favorite of this writer. The coat, called “Wild Colors” was created by Ashland weaver Lucy DeFranco and features hand-painted cotton/bamboo warp threads and black wool weft. The jewel-tone variegated colored fabric was tailored into the coat by the artist as well.
If you’re interested in learning more about weaving, the closest WeGO guild is the Salem Fiber Arts group, though there are also guilds in Astoria and North Bend. The group offers workshops and educational events throughout the year, many via Zoom, and June 11 through 18 the Association of Northwest Weavers’ Guilds will hold its convention in Bend. Locally, the Lincoln City Cultural Center has a Fiber Arts Studio Gallery with looms and available volunteers to help visitors learn more about the work. In addition, there are frequent fiber-related shows during the year. The next exhibit, “Rose Convert Fiber Sculptures and Basketry,” debuts May 26 with an opening reception.
The “Filaments” 2023 Traveling Show is on show through May 21 in the Chessman Gallery of the Lincoln City Cultural Center, located at 540 NE Hwy. 101 and open Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and by appointment. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org. For more details on the Weaving Guilds of Oregon, go to wegoregon.org.