HoursFriday 10am-8pmSaturday 10am-6pmSunday 10am-6pmCity ParkKingston, ON

a r t f e s t k i n g s t o n . c om

2016 SHOW GUIDE

K I N G S T O N

a r t f e s t k i n g s t o n . c om

Canada Day Weekend

July 1-3

150Artists & Artisans

Live MusicCraft Beer Tent

Artfest KidsOutdoor Theatre

Art WorkshopsGourmet Food

ParticPAINTPAINT-a-Table

Easel Invasionand more!

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Welcome to Artfest Kingston 2016

Ontario Festivals Visited Nomad Report on Artfest KingstonWritten by Gary McWilliams www.ontariofestivalsvisited.ca“THERE IT IS!” I shouted. All along the edge of the trees was a long multi-coloured wall! We walked closer to it and saw that it contained hundreds of paintings! Both Judi and I stared at it in amazement. I tried to picture all the people who had taken the time to express themselves through art on the wall.I shouldn’t really have been surprised; after all, we were at Artfest Kingston, the “Home of the ParticiPaint Art Wall.” Artfest Kingston, organized by Lory MacDonald, is one of the best art and craft events in Ontario. It truly can be described as a full art festival.What impresses me is the variety of art offered and how it seems to mesh together.

Also, it’s hard to imagine how Lory and her group has managed to attract 150 talented “artists and artisans. ”I know that Lory, a gifted artist herself, makes sure that each Artfest participant knows how much she cares and how much she appreciates their talents and participation.The show, set in Kingston’s beautiful City Park, reflects Lory’s commitment to offering visitors the best experience possible!As Judi and I walk down each tree-lined path, we feel the excitement that comes from a “well run” event. Live music, art, crafts, giant puppets, poetry, art workshops, and more are going on all around us. There is something for everyone at Artfest and all the activities are FREE!

Artfest Kingston runs from July 1–3, 2016 (Canada Day Weekend) in the City that is the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Now isn’t that “Poetic.”“A Canada Day event, in the home of Canada’s first Prime Minister, planned and managed by a person named MacDonald!”Perfect!Make sure you visit this year’s “awesome” Artfest Kingston and look for this year’s themed “multi-coloured” Explore and Discover Art Wall and the 150 exhibiting artists from all over Ontario and Quebec. Oh, I almost forgot. This year there will be a craft beer and wine tent as a new feature. It just keeps getting better!Visit www.artfestontario.com

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City Park, located at the corner of King St. East and Barrie Streets, a few blocks from City Hall and close to the Lake Ontario, is the perfect setting for Artfest Kingston with its expansive space and meandering paths. Beautiful mature shade trees provide cooling shelter for the arts programming and the exhibiting artists. A children’s splash pad and playground are on site. The Park is home to the famous Sir John A MacDonald Statue. Open Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

Artfest Information TentTwo ATMs On-siteAccessible WashroomsSecurity On-siteFirst Aid AttendantFood AreaCraft Beer, Wine and Cider TentRest AreasSeniors TentBicycle Valet Parking Area

Show Guide Contents 3 Ontario Festivals Visited Festival Nomad Report

5 Cycle Kingston Provides Free Parking at Artfest

7 Woodcrafting: A Leader in the Slow Craft Movement

7 Art Stars Program Grows with Kingston Arts Council

8 Artfest Kids and Family Art Activities

10 New Craft Beer, Wine and Cider Feature at Artfest

11 Live Music at Artfest

12 Passion for Jewellery

13 Artists Embrace Nature As Their Inspiration

14 Artists Advantage: The Power of Numbers

14 Insider Tips on Buying Art

15 Poets @ Artfest II

15 Love of Weaving Is Rekindled

Help*Learn*Volunteer!

Show Location

Published by Artfest Ontario

Story, Editing, Design and Photo ContributorsLory MacDonald, Al Hearn, Marianne Lepa, Gary McWilliams, and Don Graves Photos Steve Veale, Melanie Vollick Lory MacDonald

For your ConvenienceThe Glass HouseLynda MacRae991 Sydenham RdKingston, ON

www.theglasshouse.ca

T: 613-384-5330

kingston school of art 647a Princess @ Victoria St, Kingston

613-549-1528 ksoa@kingston.net

www.ksoa.info

Children’s PA Days, March Break &

Summer Art Camps

Art Classes, Workshops for

Adults / Youth / Children of all skill levels

Cycle Kingston Provides Free Parking at Artfest KingstonSummer is a beautiful time in Kingston, and Kingston is a great city for cycling. Why not ride your bicycle to Artfest this year? It’s good for your health, and good for the environment. And you won’t have to worry about where to park your car – you can ride your bicycle right onto the Artfest grounds and take advantage of secure valet bicycle parking provided by volunteers with Cycle Kingston.Cycle Kingston is a charity that has operated in Kingston for the past decade, and has offered valet bicycle parking at Artfest for three years now. Their mission is to encourage cycling by providing education, information and outreach. Last year, their Cycling Ambassadors (summer students) reached over 2000 children and youth through school and class presentations. They also attend community festivals and public events, and make presentations to service clubs and businesses. Last year, they launched the Pedal and Paddle summer day camp, a unique human-powered camp that gave youth aged 12-15 the skills to cycle safely, and the skills needed for safe canoeing.Cycle Kingston works with many partners in the community, including the City of Kingston, the KFL&A Health Unit, Immigrant Services, and more to find ways to teach Kingstonians of all ages the skills and knowledge they need to have confidence and competence to choose cycling as a way to get around for transportation, for recreation, and for fun.We are pleased to have Cycle Kingston as a partner at Artfest. Please view the location of the Cycle Kingston valet bicycle parking on the enclosed site map on page 3. Cycle Kingston provides the service for free, but invites donations to help fund their many safe cycling education programs. www.cyclekingston.ca

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Join our Artfest Kingston team as a volunteer! There are many opportunities to help out. Show off your skills or learn new ones. Artfest needs help with show set up, the Information Tent, the Arts Programming Centre, Music Stage, Bike Valet Parking Area, the Food Area, and more. Contact: Lory MacDonald T: 705-293-2787E: lorymacdonald@gmail.com

veracouture.etsy.comveracouture@yahoo.ca

(705) 505-0188

Veracouture

Artfest OntarioArtfest Ontario organizes four annual outdoor art and craft festivals: in Port Credit Memorial Park, Toronto at the Historic Distillery District in May and September and in Kingston, ON on Canada Day weekend. Our team is a group of diverse and talented individuals that work under the leadership of Artfest Ontario President, Lory MacDonald

Woodcrafts remain a steadfast and valued favorite at art and craft shows. In fact there has been a major surge of re-engagement in the handcrafted sector in general. With the strain on our environment becoming a daily topic of concern, Canadians are moving away from purchasing mass produced items. The discovery and awareness of the true cost of manufacturing and moving these products around the world has affected great change in our society. Any consumer decision to stop buying a product can ultimately and substantially influence corporate strategies. New trends in the fast food industry’s offerings are one example of the marketplace’s responsiveness to consumers’ willingness to walk away, the revolt against plastic bottles another.

A few years ago, many of us were worried that the crafter’s vocation was going to completely die out. A generation of emerging youth has grown up witnessing the strains on our landfills and has chosen craft making as a career, hence the resurgence of the slow craft movement. Colleges have been bursting at the seams in the craft sector, setting a trend for career makers. Etsy, an online platform for artists and artisans to sell their work around the world, facilitated $2.4 billion in handmade craft sales in 2015. As a lifetime crafter myself, it is with a sigh of relief that I see this trend in a major upswing.

Another pressure influencing behavior is the desire to slow down, get off the computer and actually do something with our hands rather than typing on a keyboard. Humans are makers. It has been key to our survival since we inhabited caves. We love working with our hands and the most abundant resource we have in Canada is wood from our forests. Every tree and piece of wood sports “personality” created by its life’s story of

weather and environmental stress. Spalting, burls, odd shapes, and insects make each piece unique. Woodcrafters love wood and all its anomalies. Unlike many materials in the jewellery sector, wood is affordable.

Artfest has several talented woodcrafting artisans who are making functional and decorative pieces: peppermills, coffee grinders, end-grain cutting boards, gorgeous sculptures, turned bowls, trays, art pieces from reclaimed wood, and much more. These are great items for gift giving, loft and condo decorating, and everyday use.

One of the most difficult aspects of beginning a career in the arts is finding a place to exhibit your work and connect with other artists. With this in mind, Artfest, in partnership with the Kingston Arts Council (KAC), is expanding the Art Stars program in 2016! Art Stars, a juried section of the Artfest show, is open to emerging artists ages 16-30. KAC and Artfest will provide tents and tables for each artist to display. Plus, the cost to our Art Stars is just $125! With eight exhibition spaces available, it is a great opportunity for young artists and makers to show new work and to meet peers and regional art collectors.

But that’s not all…The KAC will jury the 8 Art Stars onsite during the Artfest event, July 1-3, 2016. Based on artistic merit, creative vision, and innovative booth display, the Art Stars jury will select one artist to exhibit in 2017, waiving the full exhibition cost. The Kingston Arts Council is excited to support an emerging artist at the beginning

of their career, offering a chance for the Art Stars exhibitor to share their unique voice with thousands of Artfest visitors. Submit your application at www.artfestontario.com/art-stars/

Supporting Artists and Fostering Arts Appreciation in Kingston In the Kingston arts community, the KAC plays the role of funder, champion, advocate, and expert. The KAC recently went through a strategic planning process that included community consultations with close to 100 individuals. The key takeaways were that the KAC needs to take a more proactive role to act as a communications hub, create more opportunities for young emerging artists, foster appreciation for the arts, professional development, funding, presentation, and networking. This partnership with Artfest is one of many ways that the KAC is moving towards this mandate. Follow Kingston Arts Council online at www.artskingston.ca, on Twitter @artsking or, at www.facebook.com/artskingston.

Woodcrafting~ A Leader in the Slow Craft Movement715

Artfest Artists- HighlightsArt Stars Program Grows with Kingston

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Artfest Families Create & LearnFamilies, grab your map and magnifying glass. We are getting ready to Explore and Discover!

Artfest KidsKids love art and Artfest loves kids! Join artists Heather Kushum Sheedy and Sabrina Parrish, your guides for creative fun. Kids can drop in anytime to experience new art activities all weekend long. Make a kite, do a crazy character warp drawing, try origami, stamping, painting, and printing. Artfest kids will become our future creative thinkers. Start them young!

Paint-a-TableArtfest families will once again have the chance to participate in our picnic table project. This event was such a hit last year that we’re bringing it back- Bigger and Better! Twenty large picnic tables will be ready to act as our canvases for the weekend. Stop by for a few minutes or spend the afternoon painting with your family and friends. Each table will feature a different theme based on the places and things we explore and discover for example; hidden treasure, coral reef, ancient Egypt, black holes, the lost and found, new planets, a pirate map, the worlds greatest inventions, the secret garden, Canadian landscapes, in the clouds, robots, around the world, under the microscope, the mad scientist, or deep in the jungle. You can bid on your table in the silent auction with the proceeds going to support Artfest Kids and Family Arts Education Inc. non-profit.

The Easel InvasionGet ready! The Easel Invasion is back! Stand back and watch, or jump in and experience painting en plein air in City Park. Each afternoon from 1-4 pm, 22 art easels will be set up for visitors to paint and create. Led by one of the talented artists from Art Noise, Kingston’s new artist supply store, you will be guided through a step-by-step lesson on composing your masterpiece using top quality artists paints provided by Tri-Art Inc. Take it home or donate it to the Artfest Kids and Family Arts Education Inc. silent auction.

Adult WorkshopsKaren Peperkorn, Kingston’s favourite community arts ambassador, will lead daily workshops for adults. Choose from painting, mixed media, powered graphite, printmaking, and graphic art. See class schedules at www.artfestkingston.com

Creative Fun For the Whole FamilySponsored by Tri-Art Inc. and Atkinson’s Home Hardware

Art StudioSpiral

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heatherkushum@gmail.com

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Summer Art Classes9:3O am - 4:30 pm - weekly

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Ages 6 -12 and Ages 11- 15Class maximum size of 6$195 + tax per student - all materials included - Interested- please visit website/email/call

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EASEL INVASION

ArtfestThe Artfest music program continues to be a big draw for visitors to the festival. Each year, show producer Lory MacDonald looks for exciting musical talent to perform on the stage bringing together both local and touring bands. Bruce Kauffman is involved in the local music scene and has a good pulse on excellent local talent. He always brings great acts to Artfest. Live music creates an atmosphere that entices people to stay at the event all day long. Visitors can tour the artists and artisans exhibit booths, then take a break, listen to some tunes and have refreshments at our new Craft Beer & Wine tent located right by the stage and food area.

The festival theme for Artfest 2016 is Explore and Discover. Artfest has booked the music entertainment around this idea starting with a Canada Day celebration on July 1st featuring Songs from the Canadian Song Book with the band Trilogy. Friday from 4pm-8pm dance, sing along, or just tap your feet to Baker Street Station, one of Kingston’s premier bands playing all your classic favourites from the 1950’s on.

Saturday focuses on the World Music genre and Sunday grooves with Francophone, Celtic and First Nations performers. It will be a nice mix of music selected to please a wide range of audience tastes. Come and join us for three days of awesome tunes: Friday 11am-8pm and 11am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday! Stay tuned…the full line up will be announced shortly on our website www.artfestkingston.com

Contributed by Al HearnI love beer. That’s why I’m excited that Artfest Kingston will be adding a craft beer and wine tent this year. However, I don’t love just any beer. There are many that I just like and some that I don’t like. This is why I’m equally excited that the beer tent will offer interesting, high quality local craft beers and wines.Barley Days and McKinnon Brothers have been selected as our beer suppliers. Barley Days from Picton, Ontario offers an interesting selection of beers made in small batches. From their Cherry Porter to their Oyster Stout and Wind and Sail Dark Ale, they have something to excite any beer aficionado. McKinnon Brothers from Bath Ontario have become a popular brewery with their Crosscut Canadian Ale and 8 Man English Pale Ale. I’m looking forward to trying their Wild Peppermint Stout. Our wine and cider

suppliers have yet to be announced, so I guess you will just have to come to the show to find out.The modern day craft beer tradition in Canada has exploded in the last three decades from virtual nonexistence in 1980 to 6% of all beer consumed in 2015. There are over 130 independent breweries in Ontario alone. There are also 40 contract beer makers who make their product at licensed breweries, most often building toward opening their own operations in the future. According to the Ontario Craft Brewers Association, craft beer continues to be the fastest growing segment within the LCBO’s beer category, growing at anywhere from 20 to 30% per year. There are over 450 different craft beers brewed in Ontario. The industry employs over 1,400 people with around $290,000,000 in sales in 2014!The Artfest beer and wine area will be located right in front of the music stage with a large tent and an outdoor area for

your enjoyment no matter what happens with the weather. The Artfest food area will also be close by so you won’t have to go far to satisfy any food cravings while enjoying a

beer. Anyone under the legal drinking age in Ontario will need to be accompanied by an adult, but are welcome to visit and enjoy the music. Come on down to Artfest in City Park and enjoy a refreshing beverage!

mackinnonbrewing.com1915 County Rd 22, Bath, ON

New Craft Beer, Wine and Cider Feature at Artfest This Year! Music10 11

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I have a confession to make: I love buying and receiving handmade artisan jewellery as gifts. My loved ones know this well, hence my large unique collection lovingly built over the past 40 years. Admittedly, styles come and go and I have retired a few pieces, but I still have many timeless favorites. Art and craft shows have become known as a hub for jewellery shopping. With the recent resurgence of the craft industry in general, the number of jewellers has burgeoned; making jury selection for art and craft shows a difficult task. Craft categories go in and out of popularity in waves. Right now pottery, woodcrafts and weaving are experiencing an upward swing, and glass is heading down after a long stretch of being on top. Jewellery artisans pretty much always sell well at shows. The criteria for Artfest jewellery are: uniqueness of materials and design, craftsmanship and presentation. You will find a wide

variety at our shows and in most cases different artisans at each of Artfest’s four events. Some repetition happens with crowd favourites, but generally we like to give as many artists as possible an opportunity to exhibit. Jewellery can be made from just about anything you can imagine and many new materials are being added to the mix. Currently there is a movement away from traditional gold and silver, making room for brass, copper, clay and recycled materials. This is partly a cost consideration, as up and coming designers do not have the resources to invest in precious metals. Young designers are also exploring ways to have a lower impact on our environment and are

repurposing materials in their work: antique buttons, charms and beads, stripped electrical wire, and natural seeds are all candidates. Whitney Haynes Designs jewellery will accentuate any wardrobe piece. Her nature inspired Fallen Birch Line includes leather and

birch wrist wraps, resin and birch earrings, pendants, rings, belt buckles, and cufflinks. All fallen birch bark is gathered by Whitney, unless a client has requested to use

pieces from their own property to make a sentimental statement. The Art Inspired Line includes images of Canadian fine artist Heather Haynes’ Tree Series. (Above) Truly works of art. The Inspirational leather and sterling wraps are one of a kind, funky everyday wrist wear; one of these may end up being your favourite piece.A Slice of the North is the creation of Wendy Stanwick. Using the natural materials found around the tiny town of Matachewan, ON, Wendy has created a unique, made in Canada-of Canada mini work of Art. The local miners provide her with the raw materials - diamond drilled core samples (cylinders of rock analyzed to

determine an area’s mineral make up) that ultimately become the jewellery for A Slice of the North. Each piece is embellished with hand painted trees and grasses to create a true Canadian landscape. Her natural colour palette is stunning and perfect for adding to my summer collection. Hint. Hint.

Passion for Jewellery12

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Have you ever noticed that artists tend to have a deep connection with our natural world? Perhaps it stems from noticing the minuscule details of our environment or possessing incredible curiosity about just about everything. Seeing through creative eyes and appreciating beauty truly inspires a plethora of artwork. It makes sense really, considering how beautiful our planet truly is. Artfest also appreciates beautiful scenery, hence the wonderful event locations we choose, like City Park Kingston, ON. Painters, photographers, sculptors, textile artists, jewellers, candle makers, potters, gourmet food makers, and home décor creators are some of the Artfest Kingston exhibitors that embrace nature in their work, then transform it into something unique and memorable. George Gill Fine Art Photography is an outstanding example of an artist capturing a snippet of nature and transforming it into

a beautiful work of art. Primarily self taught, George discovered that there were multiple disciplines required to take his photography to a level worthy of being recognized as art. Each of these disciplines requires a keen understanding and practice to take an idea from fruition to something he would be proud to produce. George offers his collectors a journey inclusive of every step of his complex process: from the initial concept and photography experience, followed by a meticulous post production process, through to the museum level archival grade printing and finishing. His images fuse together nature and comment on our relationship with it. Rogue Goat is a husband and wife team who collaborate on their artwork. Josh and Allison Hill create award winning mixed media interpretations of Canadian landscape. Using live edge wood, Josh cuts freehand with a scroll saw to form the base of each piece. Allison paints her distinct landscape style

of soft hues on the top portion and finishes the entire piece in clear resin. The results are beautiful and their artwork is in high demand.Recycled Granite Serving Stones, from Guelph, ON, was inspired to create grilling stones, cocktail chillers, table runners, and lazy Susans after finding out about how much granite waste there was in the countertop industry. Recycled granite is created using left over slab granite countertop material from granite stone fabricators. It is a post-consumer waste product that Green Stone Granite diverts from local landfill sites. They use custom machinery to transform the scrap granite into various products. All of

their products are 100% recycled, therefore preventing tens of thousands of pounds of waste from entering landfills each year.

As you walk around Artfest Kingston and take in the artist’s inspirations from our natural world, perhaps your own imagination will start racing!

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Artists Embrace Nature As Their Inspiration

George Gill Fine Art Photography

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The Artists Advantage membership association launched in November 2016 and artists have been joining every day! They love the discounts and service they are receiving. There are many associations in Canada, one for just about every profession you can think of. But there has never been a national program specifically designed for professional art and craft artists. Artist Advantage members receive discounts, benefits and resources for everything they use for their art and craft business. Because there are such a variety of resources required for artists of many disciplines, the breadth of services is vast and growing weekly.

How did it all start? Lory MacDonald, President of Artfest Ontario, was looking for a way to be helpful to the many artists who exhibit in the Artfest events. Artists were inquiring about where to get reasonably priced event liability insurance, deals on hotels, reliable suppliers, discounts on rentals, shipping etc. Al Hearn Ph.D., Artfest Ontario’s grant writer and business manager, proposed the concept of developing a membership program for artists. The light bulb went on! When we asked the artists if they liked the concept, they immediately replied, “Yes! Finally. What a great idea.”

After a year of research and planning, Artists Advantage was born. Other associations offer some discounts on services as well, however what sets the Artists Advantage apart is the “One Stop Shop” concept and the limitless spectrum of artists in Canada. Power is in the numbers. The more members, the better deals can be negotiated on the artist’s behalf. It is a win-win-win for the artists, suppliers and the association. The membership is very affordable at $99 per year. Artists also get access to the resource area for art business information and a networking forum. Other features are in the works, as members have made some great suggestions. Join today! www.artistsadvantage.ca

Contributed by Don GravesI’ve been painting landscapes for the past 20 years. Prior to that I served as the Dean of Art at Sheridan College and later as the Dean of Art and Business at George Brown College. Incongruous as that sounds, art is a business and business certainly includes art.My quick guide to buying art: if you see something that draws you in, something that “says something to you,” a piece that has triggered your imagination, then you’re establishing a relationship with an artist and their work. This isn’t fool proof, it just works for me. I buy art from the person who created it. Where can you see and purchase art? • An art gallery. Big, small, located in

major urban centres, nestled in seasonal tourist locations.

• The artist’s home studio and website.

• The auction—big time, fast paced, frenzied six-seven figure bidding down to small local silent auctions for good cause fundraising.

• The local art show: one of the best, informal sources for art in homes or offices.

I’ve done all of the above and here’s why the local art show is my go-to choice.

1. Artist cost: rent, paint, frames, brushes, website… and commission, some reach 50% and higher. (For an artist to recover $500.00, a gallery price hits at least $1000.00). Art shows charge a contained rental fee. Like most artists, I want to see my work on your walls and art shows make that

affordable for the artist and the buyer.2. I want to meet you, talk about my art,

listen to you, and perhaps even paint on-site. An informal atmosphere, maybe a coffee, is ideal.

3. What is art worth? In the final analysis its worth what someone will pay for it. A local art show offers the most purchase flexibility: prices not including jumbo-sized commissions, a reasonable price with payment terms.

4. “Damn, it’s sold.” What is it you want? Look for it…and act.” The art show is an ideal place for that. I’m not suggesting buy in haste, repent at leisure. I am saying, buying art is based on

relationship, what moves you, captures your imagination. A buyer needs to listen to their soul and act. I’ve had one buyer in 4 years come back to me saying they’d made a mistake. Do I want a painting on a wall where it is not wanted? I know few artists who do. I took the painting back and the buyer chose another piece.

A closing thought: An art show is a mix and mingle recipe. Couples, families, artists, location, fresh air, funky food…something special happens.

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Artists Advantage The Power of Numbers

Insider Tips-Buying Art

WWW.TAYLORSTUDIOS.CA

285 KING STREET EAST, KINGSTON ON K7L3B1p 613-541-1098 | e INFO@TAYLORSTUDIO.COM

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Considered the cream of literature: freshly churned. Or the essence of distilled maple syrup: every drop precious. Poetry’s allure has persisted for thousands of years, captivating our hearts and minds. Writing good poetry is a great challenge, using as few words as possible to create the biggest feeling. Artfest launched Poets @ Artfest last year as a pilot project and it was clearly acknowledged as a very popular feature. Bruce Kauffman initiated the project and he is returning again to guide us for Poets @ Artfest II.

Join us for three delightful days of sharing heartfelt creative poetry presented by sixty poets, some seasoned and others freshly served. Readings will take place all weekend in the Poetry Tent and will include performers from Toronto, Ottawa, Cobourg, Hamilton, Peterborough, Montreal, and other areas. Many local favourites will join in as well including Eric Folsom (former Kingston Poet Laureate) and Kingston Poet Laureate Helen Humphreys.

A free writing workshop facilitated by host Bruce Kauffman on July 1st will get your words flowing beginning at 9:00am. We encourage curious visitors to sign up and have some fun. Space may be limited so contact Bruce if you are interested. bruce.kauffman@hotmail.com with Poets @ Artfest

in the subject line.Later on Friday July 1st from 6:00pm-8:00pm, there will be an open mic opportunity for aspiring poets to share their compositions with an appreciative audience before heading downtown to take in the fireworks. The spacious poetry tent offers a place for guests to browse through a selection of books, chapbooks and zines. There will be poets and other writers on hand in the tent throughout the festival. Please join us for some literary love at Poets@ Artfest II. The complete schedule is available at www.artfestkingston.com/poets-artfest-ii

Artfest interviewed Dorothy Young from the The Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners (KHWS) guild, the very first craft organization in Ontario (started 68 years ago), and we learned many interesting things. Starting from humble beginnings, gathering in member’s homes for sharing weaving news and problem solving, the guild has blossomed into a vibrant hub in the prestigious Tett Centre. The new high profile studio has been good for the guild as its membership has burgeoned. Not surprising really, thanks to the Canada-wide rekindled interest and appreciation for the timeless craft. “There is something that is very calming and almost meditative about working the loom,” Dorothy shared.

Weaving is considered a Slow Craft. It certainly has all the ingredients including: hand dying the yarns; designing the weaving patterns; warping - which is the placing of lengthwise fabric threads under tension in preparation for weaving; the actual weaving of the yarns onto the warp; the finishing - turning the woven web into a cohesive fabric by washing, drycleaning or brushing; and adding details to the completed projects - such as fringes, hemming techniques, knotting, sewing into clothing etc. Certainly not for those lacking patience!The new weaving studio offers classes, demonstrations, a resource library, and most importantly, expert advice on projects. KHWS is known for its friendly atmosphere and its members welcome curious visitors anytime.

They will be exhibiting at Artfest Kingston for the first time this year showing products of their craft and giving demonstrations. Equipped with a sophisticated ventilation hood system and a dedicated dying kitchen, the KHWS studio is completely set up for any kind of weaving project. Several sizes of looms are in-house, including a 100” wide version suitable for any ambitious blanket maker. Looms are available for rent at the very low rate of $1 per hour. Asked about what she loved about the guild, Dorothy quickly answered “The people.” Any challenges for the guild? “ Space! Our membership has grown substantially since the new Tett Centre opening.”What message would you like to tell our readers? “Come to Artfest to try your hand at weaving and spinning. It’s very rewarding.”

Poets @ Artfest II

Love of Weaving Is Rekindled

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