Weavers and Spinners Guild

Purpose and Objectives

  • To encourage participation in the crafts of handweaving and spinning and related techniques.

  • To awaken public interest in and appreciation of handweaving and spinning and related techniques.

  • To improve the skill and artistry of those persons practising these crafts.

  • To assist those practising these crafts.

  • To hold juried exhibitions and sales.

Guild Activities

  • Monthly meeting programs may feature a guest speaker, slide show, demonstrations, hands-on activity or exchange ideas.

  • Workshops on specific topics relating to Spinning Weaving and Dying are held several times year.

  • Study groups meet during Open Studio times to explore chosen topics on an ongoing basis.

  • Studio looms, table looms and spinning wheels are available for use by Guild Members.

  • A Guild Library of books and Journals is available during monthly meetings.

  • The Guild belongs to the Ontario Handweavers & Spinners, the Ontario Craft Council, the Handweavers Guild of America, and the Textile Museum.

General Meetings

  • January through May - First Monday of the month at 7:15pm

  • June - First Monday of the month at 6:30pm

  • July and August - No Meetings

  • September - Second Monday of the month at 7:15

  • October and November - First Monday of the month at 7:15pm

  • December - First Monday of the month at 6:30pm 

All meetings are held in the Textile studio at the Burlington Art Centre. Visitors are always welcome.

Open Studio - Year Round!

  • Studio Afternoons - Each Wednesday and Thursday at 1:00pm.

  • Studio Evenings - Second and fourth Mondays at 7:30pm.

  • Studio Weekends - Saturdays at 10:00am unless a guild workshop is being held

 Drop in to see what we're working on! 

Exhibitions and Sales

  • February - Art Auction

  • April - Kaleidescope

  • May - Juried Show

  • June - Fine Arts and Craft Festival

  • November - Christmas Sale and Soup Bowl Event

Facility and Equipment

The main room of the textile studio has 1500 square feet, with a 50 foot wall of glass looking into a tropical green house.  An additional 300 sq. ft. provide a dye kitchen and storage. 
Equipment includes:
•    1 tapestry loom
•    16 4 shaft looms, width ranging from 22" to 120"
•    2 8 shaft looms (Louet Octado with mechanical dobby, LeClerc 60" with fly shuttle)
•    1 10 shaft, 1 16 shaft
•    4 table looms and 4 spinning wheels that members can rent and take home.
•    warping reels, boards, etc.

Membership

Individual..............$25.00 per year

Note: Guild Members must also be members of the Burlington Art Centre.

Contact Us

Our website: http://www.weavingworld.ca/ where you can also find our newsletter

Artist in Residence Program

The Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild (BHSG), with the encouragement of the Burlington Art Centre (BAC), invites applications to their Artist in Residence program for the fall of 2011. 

Our goal with this residency is to share our studio, and our collective knowledge, with someone who wants to grow and develop the art form we care so much about.  It will enable and assist a recent textile art graduate wishing to incorporate weaving and/or spinning in his/her work.  The combination of studio space, equipment, support and mentorship would allow the successful candidate to develop and build a body of work.

About the BHSG & Residency Program

BHSG was founded in 1958, and was a founding resident guild of the BAC.  Current membership is approximately 50, with experience ranging from Master Weavers to beginners. Regardless of our skill level, we each share a deep passion for our art form.  With its skilled membership, BHSG has much to offer a developing textile artist.

The guild has a well-equipped and maintained studio in the BAC.  The successful applicant will be offered a 6 month residency in the Bill and Louise Cooke Textile Studio.  The term would normally begin in early to mid September, but could vary to suit the needs of everyone involved.  A 3 to 6 month extension may be possible, based on the success of the relationship and the progress of work in the initial 6 months.  The artist will receive access to the weaving studio, including all equipment and the library.  There will be mentorship from graduates of the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Certificate Programs, and full access to guild education.  There will be opportunities to network, and possibly to teach and exhibit within the BAC.

The resident must be able to fulfill a program requirement of 20 hours per week spent in the weaving studio during BAC public hours.  Public hours are Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m., closed on statutory holidays.

The successful applicant will:

•    Be a graduate of a craft/design/fine art diploma or degree program
•    Have basic weaving knowledge
•    Have the ability to work cooperatively and contribute to a positive studio dynamic
•    Have the ability to work in a communal studio in view of the public
•    Be self-motivated

Requirements for the application are as follows:

In one complete package please send the following documents:
1.    Completed application form
2.    Two letters of recommendation
3.    A current Curriculum Vitae
4.    A one page artist statement describing your creative work, process, technique and conceptual development
5.    A one page description of your work or project to be completed while in the residence and why you should be awarded a residency at the BHS.
6.    Digital images on CD of ten (10) works. Each image should be numbered to match the image identification sheet provided.

Mail to:
Burlington Handweavers and Spinners Guild
Burlington Art Centre
1333 Lakeshore Road
Burlington, Ontario
L7S 1A9
 
Questions, or to notify us a package has been mailed: bhsair(at)gmail.com

At this time, we are unable to accept international applications. Applicants must be legal residents of Canada.

Application materials must be received by April 30 of each year

Application form .