History of the Fiber Arts Guild

SOUTHERN NEVADA HANDWEAVERS AND SPINNERS GUILD, INC. was founded as a non-profit corporation in November, 1967, for the purpose of promoting interest in and educating and uniting persons interested in spinning, weaving, and dyeing thru workshops, classes, exhibits, and demonstrations in the community. The organization was the inspiration of Paul Mercer, an avid crafter, and Edcil Zolla, a professional artist. In June, 1979, the name “FIBER ARTS GUILD” was added to encompass all of the fiber arts.

The Guild was almost immediately involved in national and international fiber events. In 1969, the Guild served as hosts for the Handweavers International Festival at the Stardust Hotel, which included workshops, dealer displays, speakers, and exhibits. This festival was the forerunner of Convergence. The Guild hosted the Interweavers Conference at the Alexis Park Hotel in 1993.

In 1970 the Guild received a grant from Channel 10 for a handweaving series and taught weaving classes in conjunction with the series. The Guild sponsored an award at the Jaycee State Fair for the winner in the weaving category from 1967-1972, and for the winner of the fiber category at the 1977 Clark County Art Roundup.

Community exhibits and demonstrations are central to our purpose of educating the public about the fiber arts. Over the years members have participated in demonstrations at the Jaycee State Fair (1969-1972), at the Old Mormon Fort, various conventions, shopping malls, schools, and at the Flamingo Library for National Spinning Week in 1985. In 1978 an exhibition was held at the Las Vegas Art Museum of works by members of the Guild. More recently the Guild has participated in the annual Farm Festival at Horseman’s Park, an exhibit and demonstration of farming techniques, animals, fibers and other agricultural activities for the elementary school children of the Clark County School District. The Guild hosted a knitting class in 1996 and crochet classes in 1997, both presented by The Knitting Guild of America at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center. In September of 1998, the Guild hosted a lecture and display by Park Bench Patterns at the Sahara West Library. The Guild is an annual participant in Festival in the Pines to benefit the Spring Mountains Volunteers Association.

In 1981, the Guild participated in Enchanted Threads a juried show at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center, Fiber Arrivals in 1980, Art Affair at the Flamingo Library in 1990. Fiber Then and Now in 1992 and Fiber and Clay in 1993, both fiber art shows featuring works by members of the Guild, were held at the Las Vegas Art Museum.

The Guild has been called on to provide fiber-related exhibits for the public libraries of Clark County. A fiber display at the Spring Valley Library Gallery for the Salute to the Fiber Arts in 1986, a weaving display at the Sahara West Library and, in 1999, a two-day trunk show of hand knit items featured in Vogue Knitting Magazine at the Sahara West Library were all prepared or hosted by the Guild.

From time to time the Guild sponsors events to promote the sale of its members creations. The Guild operated a shop at Old Nevada from April 1977 to April 1978. In 1995, the Guild had a booth at the Holiday Festival at the Charleston Heights Arts Center. The Guild had a booth at the Lobster Fair and Celebration of Nevada Arts and Crafts in October 2000.

In 1996 Guild members wove two blankets of Harrisville yarns. One was donated to the Intermountain Weavers Conference for their raffle, and the other was donated to the Festival of Trees and Lights for a raffle to benefit the Downs Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada. Many Guild members regularly attend the biennial Intermountain Weavers Conferences, and two of our members serve on its Board of Directors.