A Nigerian master dyer, in residence at Penn Center, now a conference center where the 2005 meeting was held, and originally the first school for freed slaves in South Carolina. Photo by Adrienne Sloane.

A historic Gullah house of worship on St. Helena Island. Photo by Adrienne Sloane.

Board member Deborah Brandon, retiring board member Hope Thomas and board member Adrienne Sloane enjoy the scenery on St. Helena Island.


WARP’s 2012 Annual Meeting Celebrates 20th Year!

WARP was founded in 1992 because Deborah Chandler, then working for Pueblo to People, wanted to "have her own conference," to gather together people to "listen, share ideas, learn from each other, see how we can take some next steps together. The general subject is weavers here," she wrote, "weavers in developing countries, other craftswomen (and men), starting projects, etc." Deborah did, in fact, organize such a gathering at Convergence 1992 in Washington, DC.

That original group decided to meet again in August to talk some more. We met at Elizabeth Harvat's cabin in the mountains north of Denver, and decided that getting together once a year, while fabulous, wasn't enough. WARP was born.

The annual meeting is still one of the most important functions of the organization and realizes several of WARP’s core values:

  • Networking and sharing information [to] create an environment for constructive action
  • Making connections among textile artisans worldwide [to] promote positive social change
  • Interacting with people who have similar values [to] enrich our lives.

The 2012 meeting promises to be another great opportunity to meet these goals. Reflection and Renewal, WARP's 20th Anniversary Meeting, will take place May 17th through 20th in Boulder, CO, at the Outlook Hotel and Conference Center. Click here for registration form.

This conference will strive to meet specific requests made by members over the last several years. The general requests have been less driving, in a city, in Colorado for the 20th anniversary, more time, and with a focus on networking within the membership.

In order to fulfill these requests the conference for this year will have a registration fee of $125, while members will be responsible for their lodging and majority of meals. The Outlook Hotel, has agreed to charge $89.00 per room with two double beds, and includes breakfast. The hotel is centrally located in Boulder. Please contact me if you have questions, laircowgirl@msn.com.

The opportunity arose to partner with the Colorado Weavers' Day, since at least two of our members were coming to speak. It simply made sense to include this dynamic program for our conference attendees. The speakers include Deborah Chandler, Sarah Saulson, Anita Luvera Mayer, and Edwina Bringle. You must register separately at the weaver's guild website to attend Weavers' Day. The cost is $45.00 if you register before March 1, 2012, $50 after this date. The registration fee includes lunch. Registration opens January 1, 2012. Check out their website for special events surrounding Colorado Weavers' Day.

Optional activities during the conference include visiting Schacht Spindle Company for a tour; shopping at Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins, at Bead for Life shop/headquarters in Boulder, and at MomentuM, a wonderful fair trade shop, and possibly having dinner at the Dushanbe Tea House, a stunning gift to the City of Boulder from the City of Dushanbe, Tashikistan. All of these are conveniently located within 10 minutes of the hotel. Philis Alvic is handling the requests for presentation of members' projects. Please read a description of the proposal process by clicking here. We would like to hear from you and there will be plenty of time for discussion. The marketplace, auction, and seeing wonderful friends will also be included at this spectacular 20th anniversary meeting in Boulder, CO. Please join us in celebrating our organization.

Reflection and Renewal

2012 WARP Annual Meeting - May 17th-20th, 2012 - Boulder, CO

Thursday

  • Tour: Schacht Spindle Co
  • Shop: Shuttles, Spindles, and Skeins, Bead for Life, MomentuM
  • Dushanbe Tea House
  • Introductions

Friday

  • Presentations and Discussions about your projects
  • (Contact Philis Alvic)

Saturday

  • Colorado Weaver's Day (separate registration) www.rmweaversguild.org
  • $45 before March 1, 2012; $50 on or after March 1, 2012. Registration includes lunch.
  • Speakers: Deborah Chandler, Sarah Saulson, Anita Luvera Mayer, Edwina Bringle

Sunday

  • WARP Annual Business Meeting

Boulder Outlook Hotel

Book your room now at www.boulderoutlook.com at a special rate $89.00 per room, breakfast included.


Alice Brown Memorial Scholarship

Each year WARP awards Alice Brown Memorial Scholarships for students to attend our annual meeting. The scholarship covers the meeting registration fee, hotel, and a small food stipend. The recipients should be 35 years old or under and be pursuing a career path related to textiles. The ideal candidates should be either a full or part-time student, or a recent graduate. The committee will also consider applicants pursuing non-traditional career paths. Interested professors and students can also e-mail Sarah Saulson with questions or to receive the application (sfsaulson@twcny.rr.com). The application deadline is March 1, 2012. Please click here for the scholarship application. For the 2012 Annual meeting, the application is due March 1, and should be sent to Sarah Saulson at sfsaulson@twcny.rr.com. Also contact Sarah if you have questions about the process.

Past WARP Annual Meetings:

    1992 Convergence '92, Washington DC
    1993 Ellizabeth Harvat's cabin high in the Rockies near Kremmling, CO
    1994 Stonehaven Ranch, San Marcos, TX
    1995 Stonehaven Ranch
    1996 Windswept, Berea, KY
    1997 Casey Conference Center, Whidbey Island, WA
    1998 New Windsor Conference Center (SERRV International), New Windsor, MD
    1999 Grailville, Loveland, OH
    2000 Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM
    2001 Sargent Camp, Hancock, NH
    2002 Black Forest Camp, Colorado Springs, CO
    2003 YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC
    2004 The Presentation Center, Los Gatos, CA
    2005 Penn Center, St Helena Island, SC
    2006 north of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
    2007 Panajachel, Guatemala
    2008 Casey Conference Center, Whidby Island, WA
    2009 Mennonite Central Committee Offices, Akron, PA
    2010 Spirit in the Desert, Carefree, Arizona
    2011 YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, Black Mountain, NC