Albuquerque, NM – The Handweaver’s Guild of America (HGA) is holding an international fiber arts conference titled Convergence 2010 at the Albuquerque Convention Center from July 21 – 25, 2010.
Thousands of fiber enthusiasts and hundreds of vendors from all over the world will exhibit and share their knowledge of weaving, spinning, dyeing, basketry, digital imagery, sewing, knitting, color and design, and much more at HGA’s biennial fiber arts conference. Register on-site (as available) or come as a Day Visitor to shop in the Vendor Hall and view the Convergence art exhibits.
The conference is expected to attract 2,400 attendees generating 3,000 room nights and more than $3.7 million in direct spending, according to the Visit Albuquerque.
HGA's Convergence features fiber art exhibits of embellished, dyed, and woven yardage; Fashion; and Small Expressions fiber art on a small scale. An incredible Vendor Hall features yarn, weaving and spinning equipment, demonstrations, book signings, and Art Sparks fiber classes. If you are interested in sewing, dyeing, spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, or embellishments, then Convergence is for you! Daily admission for the public is $10.
To accompany the conference, local galleries, cultural centers and museums have developed a program of exhibits and events throughout the region. Examples include:
- “Unraveling tradition” at 516 Arts
- “Weaving Generations Together: Evolving Creativity in the Maya of Chiapas” at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
- “The Bauhaus Tradition” at the Open Space Visitor Center
- “Dialogues: Tapestry and Human/Nature” at the South Broadway Cultural Center
- “Weavings by Connie Enzmann-Forneris and Jennifer Moore” at Sumner & Dene
- The Corrales Fiber Arts Show and Sale will display of the works of 13 fiber artists from around the country
For additional details on the gallery exhibits and events taking place throughout the region in conjunction with Convergence, visit www.ItsATrip.org/handweavers/.
In addition to the classes and exhibitions for interested fiber enthusiasts, the public is welcome to participate in the Walk in Beauty Fashion Show at 8pm on Wednesday, July 21st in the Kiva Auditorium. One of the other exciting events is a Navajo Rug Auction presented by R.B. Burnham & Company Native Auctions. It will take place on Saturday, July 24th at 5pm at the Convention Center. The gallery will be open for viewing the auction items from 1-5pm with the auction beginning at 5pm. Admission is $75 and proceeds will benefit the HGA’s Fiber Trust.
For more information on the conference, visit www.weavespindye.org.