Convergence 2018

This week, the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. is presenting Convergence, their huge international fibre arts conference in Nevada, featuring 1,500 exhibitors. Over the course of one week, visitors will be able to see exciting exhibitions, fashion show, tours, workshops, seminars, lectures, and more.

In the summer of 1969, a small group of weavers got together and decided that the United States was in need of a guild dedicated to fibre arts. This became HGA, and by November it had over 1,000 members. In 1972, HGA held their first convention and called it Convergence. The event was a resounding success and has continued to be held each year in different locations in America.

This year's keynote speaker is Jason Collingwood, son of the master weaver Peter Collingwood. Jason has worked as a professional rug-weaver for over 30 years and produces custom-made rugs for corporate and individual clients all over the world. Jason also gives classes, teaching the specific block weave technique he uses.

Jason was first introduced to the loom when he was seven or eight years old. His mother led him into his father's workshop and helped him to weave a tie, which failed to inspire him. In the end, Jason began to weave rugs and help his father in the workshop at the age of adulthood, which got him out of paying rent. He has described the "sheer physicality" that weaving involves, especially when the width of a rug requires the weaver to constantly stretch out his arms.

“A rug is a functional, finished product directly as it comes off the loom. It’s ‘real’ work to weave a rug.”

 Blog post by Jessica Edney