ILWACO, Wash. — The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum will host two contemporary fiber exhibitions from Friday, Jan. 17 through Feb. 28.

“Threads to New Worlds: A Collection of Fiber Arts” is a traveling exhibition organized by WeGO – Weaving Guilds of Oregon, a statewide organization that promotes weaving, spinning and fiber-related work. Juried by nationally recognized weaver Nancy Arthur Hoskins of Eugene, “Threads to New Worlds” includes traditional materials and methods, as well as new fibers like bamboo and synthetics.

“New ideas and visions are sometimes combined with the traditions,” says the show’s organizers. “New technology enhances our threads and opens new fiber horizons.”

Accompanying the traveling show will be a special installation by the Clatsop Weavers and Spinning Guild, titled “Creative Hands Across the Columbia.” Pieces in this exhibition are all by members of the local guild, which spans the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River.

There will be an opening reception and demonstrations from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. Further demonstrations of weaving and spinning will take place on Free Thursdays during the exhibition.

Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is located at 115 S.E. Lake St. in Ilwaco, Wash. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free on Thursdays thanks to the Port of Ilwaco.

For more information, call 360-642-3446 or visit columbiapacificheriatgemuseum.org

Recently, the Tacoma Weavers Guild (TWG) was contacted by St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Tacoma: they had acquired the yarn stash of a deceased parishioner and needed help disposing of it.

TWG members carted way seven large cartons of yarn cones, which are now in Betty Bell’s garage in Milton.  Please help TWG (and Betty) distribute this treasure trove:  the yarn is available for a donation of $1 per cone (any size: cones range from nearly full 8-oz cones up to 5-lb cones), proceeds to go to St. Leo’s.  Fibers range from wool to acrylic, with some cotton, in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures.

Please call Betty at 253 926 1136 to arrange a time to look at the yarn and get directions.

The South Beach Arts Association of Westport, WA is holding a fiber arts retreat February 28, March 1 & 2. A retreat is an opportunity to work on a current or planned project undisturbed, in a tranquil setting (in this case, the historic Tokeland Hotel): the retreat also features demonstrations on kumihimo (including a mini-workshop), felting, and shibori.

If you are interested, download the fiber_arts_retreat_brochure.pdf.