A SIG is the acronym for Special Interest Groups. PGHW is made up of members who are interested in all fiber arts. If a member has a special interest they want to pursue in the friendship of other members, they bring that suggestion to a board member who gets approval to put the group on the website and set a monthly date for the group to meet.

All members are invited and welcome to show up to any SIG. There are no requirements other than an interest in what the group is about. You do not need experience to join! This is what’s so special about these groups. They are welcoming and inviting. Some groups teach, some are just to practice your art among friends.

These groups are a great way to get to know other members in a friendly atmosphere where shared interests are enjoyed.

What is MAFA and HGA?

The MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA) was formed “to establish communication between guilds, and to maintain the communication with mutual exchange of ideas.” The mid Atlantic states that MAFA represents are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. 

On odd years MAFA holds a conference which brings together those interested in fiber arts by offering workshops, vendors, presentations, etc.

https://mafafiber.org/conferences/mafa2023/

Many guilds like ours belong to MAFA so our members automatically have MAFA memberships through membership to our guild. The conference is held at Millersville University, Millersville, PA. MAFA also holds a virtual event for those who want that option. MAFA also offers online movie nights via Zoom which are held throughout the year on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. (ET)

You can learn more about them at https://mafafiber.org/virtual/movies/

You can go to MAFA for the day and not attend any conferences. The Marketplace and Exhibits are open to the public. In addition, you are welcome to attend the Open Studio Tour on Saturday evening to see examples of the work that has been done over the weekend.

https://mafafiber.org/conferences/mafa2023/daytrippers/

On even years, the Handweavers Guild of America (HGA) holds their conference called Convergence. You are also a member of HGA though our guild. You can learn more about them here https://weavespindye.org. I recommend that you check out their free weekly Textile and Tea interviews with various fiber artists which are hosted on Zoom every Tuesday at 4 p.m. (ET).

https://weavespindye.org/textiles-and-tea/

The world is our oyster thanks to these organizations and our guild. So many have found pearls of wisdom and inspiration.

Dive in!

What is the Gazette?

The Gazette is our monthly newsletter that goes out to members. It has been in existance as long as the guild. It is now emailed but once was mailed to all members.

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