Sapphire Sea, Golden Threads, a workshop format conference, will celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Conference of Northern California Handweavers. It will be held May 4 -7, 2017 at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, California.
The Pacific Coast at Asilomar
The Asilomar location was built as a YWCA leadership camp on that site in 1913. Julia Morgan, early female architect, designed many of the original structures at the camp between 1913 and 1928. Thirteen of those original buildings remain and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They are the largest collection of Miss Morgan’s Arts & Crafts style architecture in one location and well worth the time to do the self-guided tour around the grounds. In 1956 the conference grounds and 91 acres of surrounding dunes and beach became a California State Park. Additional buildings, amenities and upgrades have been added over the years. Very recently all buildings were brought into compliance with ADA regulations.
At Asilomar, all meals are included in the cost of lodging. Everyone eats together in the open and airy Crocker dining hall at large round tables. This is an ideal place to socialize with the instructors and other students attending the conference. The food is delicious and they are able to accommodate special dietary needs.
An Historic Asilomar Building
In 2017, CNCH is encouraging attendees to bring along a spouse, relative or friend who can enjoy all that Asilomar has to offer while the textile artist spends time in the workshops. Asilomar Beach, on Monterey Bay, is steps away from the lodging. Activities as diverse as swimming in the outdoor heated pool or shooting pool on the tables in the central hall. Outdoor activities abound such as architectural or beach walks and tours, biking, hiking, kayaking, surfing, volleyball or just hanging out in a hammock. You may even want to book an extra day or two in order to enjoy both the conference and the venue.
Of course, the most important piece of a weaving conference is the instructors – and the program committee has found some extraordinary fiber artists to join us at Asilomar! There is something for everyone: Weaving, spinning, dyeing, basketry, kumihimo and design classes are offered.
Weaving instructors are Deanna Deeds, Elisabeth Hill, Giovanna Imperia, Robyn Spady, and Betty Vera:
Students in Deanna Deeds workshop will learn to incorporate sprang braided accents in their weaving.
Go “Off the Grid” with Elisabeth Hill to learn about structures that defy the parallel and perpendicular.
Ever been intrigued by unusual materials but not been able to figure out how to use them? Giovanna Imperia has just the workshop for you!
Betty Vera’s workshop concentrates on combining neutral colors skillfully—providing design effects ranging from intense drama to a soft mood.
Learn new weave structures in Robyn Spady’s Tied Up in a Magical Box – Tied Weaves and Tied Weave Threadings.
Spinning workshops will be led by Kate Larson and Beth Smith:
Learn to hand spin Spectacular Knitting Yarns with Kate Larson
Beth Smith will teach the ins and outs of 15 sheep breeds and how best to spin fabulous yarn from each of them in Princess Breeds – Turbo Charged.
Basketry workshops will be led by Annetta Kraayeveld and Lois Russell and are open to anyone with an interest in baskets:
Students will make two chase twill baskets with Annetta Kraayeveld.
Lois Russell’s workshop will focus on twining, an age-old technique to create sculptural pieces that challenge the definition of “basket” using colorful waxed linen thread.
Donna Sakamoto Crispin bridges all areas teaching Shifu Journey: Spinning and Weaving Mulberry Paper and More.
Barbara Setsu Pickett is bringing her Colorhue Instant Silk Dyeing and Printing class to us. Using a Tri-axial color scale the class will develop 21 colors from three primaries.
Kumihimo guru, Karen Huntoon will be leading the workshop, Kumihimo – Japanese Braiding, Beading and Beyond.
And for those who want to take their creativity to a new level: Mary Zicafoose will be teaching a workshop in design: Color, Content & Creativity: New Strategies for New Work in Cloth.
Registration opens November 12, 2016. This is sure to be a very popular conference so plan ahead and register early! Keep up with all the news about the conference on the CNCH website www.cnch.org and on the conference Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CNCH2017/. Teacher websites are listed at both sites. Guild Liaisons (from guilds which belong to CNCH) will have information about the conference – so find out who your liaison is – and ask them!