Brief Historical Summary of the Olympia Weaver’s Guild
In 1944-1945, Grace Wilder proposed the formation of a weaving study group in Olympia, Washington under the Home Economics Department of American Association of University Women (AAUW). The object of the organization “was not for social gathering but to help each other in learning and doing the art of weaving”. There were nine charter members.
In 1949 the group left the auspices of AAUW and became an independent group called Thurston County Weavers’ Guild. So few belonged, that the offices of president and secretary were rotated like musical chairs. In 1951 the guild name was changed to Southwest Washington Weavers’ Guild and changed again in 1968 to our present name of Olympia Weavers Guild (OWG). More history of the guild can be found in OWG History.
The OWG is registered under IRS code 501(c)(3). Members may apply for educational grants.
Our Mission
From those nine women, the for non-profit Olympia Weavers Guild has grown to over 100 active weavers and fiber artists – both woman and men. Together we work to fulfill our mission:
“To share information, knowledge and techniques and to provide guidance, encouragement and inspiration to those interested in the craft of handweaving”.
The guild holds monthly meetings from September through June. Our meetings typically have an educational program – often by an invited guest speaker – and time for Show and Tell where members can inspire each other with their completed works. We also have study groups which meet independently of the monthly meeting; their activities are shared at the monthly guild meetings.
OWG participates at the Thurston County Fair with demonstrations, and the Sheep to Shawl at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. At the Sheep to Shawl, an item starts with the fleece and ends with a complete finished project. There are opportunities to participate through events sponsored by Handweavers Guild of America, (HGA) or the Association of Northwest Weavers Guild (ANWG). OWG has an event at the local library in Lacey with lots of finished items to show, demonstrations and a lot of educational opportunities for the people that come thru to check it all out. We have even done demonstrations at a local preschool. Kids are never to young to get excited about finger weaving, Kumihimo or the looms. For us our mission is not just a statement to be read, rather an opportunity to teach and share the opportunities that this craft is about.
If you are interested in attending a few meetings to see if this guild could be a fit for your interests, please send an email to info@olympiaweaversguild.org for more information on meeting details.
Visitors are welcome at the regular guild meetings. You may attend up to three meetings, as a guest, before joining the guild. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are on the:
- third Friday of the month,
- September through May.
Our next regular monthly meeting will be held on Friday, March 17th. The doors open at 9:30 and the meeting starts at 10:00 am. We meet at:
Gull Harbor Lutheran Church – Google Maps link
4610 Boston Harbor Rd. NE
Olympia, WA.