The Gathering of the Guilds is an annual 3-day event at the Oregon Convention Center. Portland area guilds, with over 300 artists, come together to exhibit and sell art and functional products. Participating guilds include Pacific NW Glass Guild, Portland Bead Society, Portland Handweaver’s Guild, Guild of Oregon Woodworkers, and Creative Metal Arts Guild. The show partnered with the 40th annual Ceramic Showcase.
The event includes several live demonstrations. DFAS joined the fun demonstrating tapestry weaving on portable copper looms in the lobby. This was an ideal location. People on their way into the main exhibit hall stopped to check out what we were doing. They enjoyed being able to touch the small tapestries we had on display, to pick them up and to look at the back. The copper looms themselves were very much a hit! Seeing what we could weave with a small loom light enough to carry impressed our visitors. Everyone was very curious. The most common question we heard was, “How do you know where to change colors?” They wanted to know where our school is located and all about our classes. Damascus is tiny so we aren’t terribly surprised when they don’t know where it is.
Terry wove this tapestry that day!
Thank Phoebe for setting this up for us and Margaret, Kiki, Terry and JD for volunteering to demonstrate and share your love of tapestry. A special thanks to Portland Handweaver’s Guild for letting us share their space.