Notes from the Guild

CNCH Liaison Meeting – May, 2021

Background:

SCTAG and 30 other guilds in Northern CA and NV belong to an umbrella organization called CNCH (Conference of Northern California Handweavers) whose purpose is to organize annual regional conferences for spinners, weavers, dyers, basket makers, and related other pursuits. $5 of your guild dues goes to CNCH, and every few years we are expected to help organize a conference. CNCH provides the guild with $1 million in insurance liability coverage for all events, including regular meetings. It also provides a website for sharing info, and a quarterly newsletter.

This meeting:

As always, a financial report was made. CNCH is operating in the red due to the covid-related cancellations of conferences in both 2020 and 2021. Looking forward to income from the 2022 & 2023 gatherings, both in the works.

The report from Area 3, which is creating the 2022 conference:

All is on track for the conference, May 19-22, 2022 at the Marriott in San Mateo.The title is: “Spring: Creative Resilience” and the colors have been chosen. The remaining committee positions have been filled. Most of the teachers have been signed to contracts. The hotel is offering good room rates and free parking.

The fashion show at this event is a completely new concept. See the information included below. Instead of marching down the runway one at a time, each guild will come up with a “tableau”, and will come out together and strike a pose. The tableau topic will be kept secret until the show. There will be narration about the items shown. It could be really fun — see below** for more details.

The classes, teachers, vendors, and conference schedule will be revealed, as always, at the next Liaison meeting in September, which is a luncheon at the conference venue in San Mateo. That’s also when registration dates, cost, and info on scholarships (they call them grants) is introduced.

The meeting ended on that suspenseful note. If you are even slightly considering going to the conference, please book a room through the 2022 website here. You can cancel without charge up to 48 hours before the event, and due to the hotel contract, rooms can be taken away from the conference block if they are not booked.

–Joan Near

** Textile Tableaux.  No fear of walking on a runway and doing model turns.  All the excitement and creativity of showing beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind garments will be achieved by appearing as a group in a fun, informal and non-traditional way — a tableau.

Here’s how it works:

  • Each guild presents a themed tableau.

  • Coming onto stage one, two, three or all together to their own themed music, perhaps with props, they pose in their chosen tableau.

  • The introductory and descriptive narration begins.  Participants can be animated or hold a pose.

  • Concluding, the group exits the stage to be seated in the audience to enjoy the next tableau.

Choosing a Theme:

There are as many ideas as there are weavers.  Perhaps decide what you want to weave and then create a theme.  Or, create a theme and then plan the garments and accessories to be woven.  Think of an event or everyday scene and how that might form into a tableau.

Here’s one example: The theme is a picnic.  One or two models appear and spread a blanket onto the floor.  A small folding chair might be carried by another.  They may be wearing hats, scarves, sporty clothes, and carrying interesting bags or baskets.  The mystery unfolds as the tableau assembles while their chosen music plays. They pose while everyone views the clothing and accessories included in this tableau and the narration begins. Then the models exit and join the audience to enjoy the next tableaux.

A few more theme ideas:

  • Night Out                Casual to dressy

  • Chilly Stroll            Coats, shawls, jackets, warm socks

  • All About Color      Coordinated color theme of selected items

  • One Category          Just jackets; various vacation clothes, kimonos

  • It’s a Ball Game      Sportwear, hats, and seat cushioning (pillows)

  • May Day                 Parasols and pastels

  • The Bath                 Robes, mats, towels (shower caps optional)

Added Flexibility

Guilds can combine talents as accessories are encouraged and unlimited.  Basket makers can contribute hats and bags; spinners can wear knitted or felted clothing; tapestry weavers can carry tote bags; belts and woven jewelry can complete an outfit.  Also, any guild member can join or contribute something to another guild’s tableau (arranged with guild CNCH liaisons).  The garments will not be hung in the gallery.

Participation

Entry forms will be due in January 2022.  The tableau themes will be kept secret by a chosen few.  Keeping guild themes “under wraps” will add intrigue to the event as the tableau assembles and watchful eyes are wondering what it represents.

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