Conferences are a great place to learn and grow your fiber family. Here’s some of the popular national and regional conferences you might want to keep in mind.
National Conferences
Convergence
Convergence is THE conference for weavers. It’s put on by the Handweavers Guild of America, and is held in even-numbered years. It moves around the country, with recent venues in Wichita, Knoxville, and Reno. https://weavespindye.org/convergence/
Complex Weavers
Complex Weavers may sound serious and difficult, but it’s really just a group of weavers looking to learn and grow. They also hold a biannual conference which is usually held around the same time/place as Convergence. https://www.complex-weavers.org
American Tapestry Alliance
The American Tapestry Alliance partners with the HGA by hosting a post-conference workshop known as the Members’ Retreat and presentations known as the Speakers’ Session. The Speakers’ Session features presentations from the instructors who are leading the Members’ Retreat and is open to any Convergence attendee, whether or not they are a member of ATA. https://www.americantapestryalliance.org/
National Baskety Organization
The National Basketry Organization is an inclusive community of makers and enthusiasts whose purpose is to promote awareness, inspire creativity and foster appreciation for the heritage and artistry of basketry. Founded in 1999, NBO has nearly 700 members reflecting the diversity of basket-making in America and extending beyond our borders. They hold biennial conferences in the odd-numbered years. https://nationalbasketry.org
Regional Conferences
There are several regional fiber organization that also hold conferences, often staggered to run on the years where there is no Convergence.
Association of Northwest Weavers’ Guilds (ANWG)
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds (ANWG) is an association of fiber arts guilds located within the Pacific Northwest United States and Western Canada. ANWG provides services and support to its Member Guilds with the idea that combining resources and providing an economy of scale, services can be provided that would not be possible for the individual guilds to provide on their own. Their conference happens in various locations in the region. Recent conferences have been held in Bend OR, Prince George BC, and Bellingham WA. ANWG is at https://northwestweavers.org. Their conference is at https://anwgconference.org.
Conference of Northern California Handweavers (CNCH)
The Conference of Northern California Handweavers, Inc. was founded in 1953 to further the art and appreciation of the craft of handweaving. Today the member Guilds of CNCH embrace all fiber arts associated with weaving. Our membership includes not only weavers, but also dyers, basketmakers, and spinners. The member Guilds of CNCH are from five Northern California and Northern Nevada areas. Northern California is one of the few areas of the country that still holds annual conferences related to the fiber arts. https://www.cnch.org
MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA)
The MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA) represents and supports a community of fiber arts guilds in the greater Mid-Atlantic region with the goal of promoting fiber arts education. Although MAFA is best known for its biennial conference, the all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization also provides ongoing financial grants, fellowships and scholarships, to promote education, development and public outreach in the fiber arts. https://mafafiber.org
Midwest Weavers Association and Midwest Weavers Conference
The Midwest Weavers Conference is generally held every two years in June, in odd-numbered years. In 2025, the Weavers’ Guild of St. Louis will be hosting it. https://midwestweavers.org
New England Weavers’ Seminar (NEWS)
NEWS is commonly held during July in odd-numbered years. They offer classes and workshops from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. https://www.newenglandweavers.org
Intermountain Weavers Conference (IWC)
IWC is a regional conference held in odd numbered years. Our region is New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nevada. The conference is managed by a volunteer board from these states. https://www.intermountainweavers.org
Florida Tropical Weavers Guild (FTWG)
Florida Tropical Weavers Guild is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to educate the public on the art and craft of weaving, spinning and basketry. Its membership consists of anyone who is interested in promoting opportunities for weavers of all skill levels to develop new skills, interests and expand their creative efforts in the fiber arts. FTWG holds an annual conference. https://ftwg.org
Contemporary Handweavers of Texas (CHT)
CHT is non-profit organization, founded in October 1949, that promotes interest in handweaving and related crafts. CHT supports individuals and guilds in Texas through education and networking of history, the craft, the art, fashion and innovation in weaving, spinning and related fiber arts techniques. https://weavetexas.org
Red Alder Retreat
Red Alder is a new fiber retreat in the tradition of a tried and true. Hosted in a boutique hotel in Tacoma, WA, they welcome crochet, dyeing, knitting, spinning, weaving, and more! https://redalderfiberarts.com