PHG has supported the weaving community for over 80 years. Our history of attracting well-known artists and supporting new and veteran weavers has been evident since 1942.
In 1942, Mildred Stockwell Fuerst invited Ruth and Jennie Ripey, Alice Berleman and Clara Wight to her home to discuss weaving. They concluded they could really help each other if they met regularly. The ladies found these meetings to be educational as well as relaxing during the war.
By September 1945, the group had grown to twenty members, were organized formally and adopted the name Portland Handweavers, which was registered with the Secretary of State. A design by member Garnet West was adopted as the symbol. Deciding to be democratic and non-elective, the only requirements for membership were an interest in weaving, a desire to exchange ideas, and $1 in dues.
By 1946, PHG had moved to the YWCA as they outgrew member homes. Early that same year $30 was given to the public library to buy weaving books and establish a PHG library. Joyce Gibson and Winifred Jones helped accumulate many books and periodicals and catalog them.
The first PHG guest speaker was Annabelle Carstens of Hughes Fawcett Linen Co. Since then, members have profited by lectures, films and exhibits by noted weavers, artists and craftsmen. Our own local teachers, artists, craftsmen and business men & women have been generous with their time and knowledge. Travelers from foreign lands with marvelous samples of weaving have delighted and inspired us. One of our most outstanding members was Martha Ebener, an artist and craftsman of distinction who gave generously of her time and talents.
Study groups began organizing around 1952 and operated well in spite of predictions to the contrary. Through Margaret Hastay and Hazel Edon it was possible to buy yarn from Jantzen Inc Yarns, which were difficult to find. A yarn shop was established in 1954 and operated by and for members until 1960, when other sources became available.
In 1956 PHG used the Mt Scott Community Center. The membership was highest at 200 during the years of the yarn shop. Membership was 166, in 1970 and in 1975 membership was up to 236.
In 1961, Pat Harris put together an exhibit of articles woven by PHG members that was exhibited at Meier & Frank at the Lloyd Center. These photos were also sent on the road as a slide show exchange with other guilds through the US and Canada.
PHG has taken part in local art festivals and exhibits as well as donated to the Ticker-Maxon Oral School and Portland Children’s Center. In 1965, PHG was host to the 2nd Pacific Northwest Weavers Conference, with 400 attendees.
Our program schedule for some years has included the tea and sale in the fall, a party at Christmas, a style show in the spring and an exhibit of our own weaving in May and the related crafts.
We have sponsored workshops with well-known weavers such as Ted Hewitt, Kay Geary, Karin Melander, Nancy Kaneally, Polly Yori, Gay Garrett, Mary Snyder, Paula Simmons, Peter Collingwood, Hillary Chetwynd and Elsa Regensteiner to name a few. In more recent year’s we’ve hosted programs and workshops with Laura Fry, Daryl Lancaster, John Mullarkey, Dianne Totten, Debra Jarchow, Barbara J. Walker, and Linda Hendrickson.
What we have accomplished could not have been done without the loyalty and work contributed by each member and those members especially who accepted offices and gave of their time so unstintingly.
We pay homage to those who have gone, salute those who still carry on, and greet the new members with confidence that they will do likewise.
Timeline
1942 Mildred Stockwell Fuerst, Ruth & Jennie Ripey, Alice Berleman and Clara Wight meet to discuss weaving and then continue to meet.
1943 Dorothy Liebes comes to Portland and teaches a six week workshop at Portland Art Museum.
1945 Portland Handweavers organized formally and registered with Secretary of State. Dues were $1 per year!
1946 Meeting held at YWCA. Guild library began. $30 given to public library to buy weaving books.
1948 First guild exhibit held at Oregon Ceramic Studio (Contemporary Craft Gallery).
1949 Fashion show at YMCA. Guild had 99 members.
1950 Oregonian Hostess House exhibit 2 weeks in January and then Annual Fabric Show in October.
1965 PHG hosts second Northwest Weaver’s Conference at Masonic Temple. 400 in attendance. Theme: “Jewels in Nature”.
1983 PHG officially incorporated.
1984 PHG banner woven by Lilla Larsen and Heidi Waber. Frame made by Serena and Dale Johnston of “J Made”. Meeting place moved to Multnomah Art Center.
1985 Coverlet project: 16 members participate-all finish weaving by deadline. Tablecloth made for guild’s 40th anniversary celebration.
1996 Convergence ’96 “A Time Warp” held in Portland.
2015 The PHG Mannequin Project is born, with PHG members creating an Homage to the Théâtre de la Mode mannequins.
2022 PHG becomes a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit.
Read the full history in our booklet “Celebrating 60 Years: Portland Handweavers Guild, 1945 – 2005, A History”
See our list of Past Presidents