Outreach
I think [the Guild] is amazing for the City as well because of the number of people it brings into Kingston. For our members it makes it a hub and I know that many of us contribute to the economic base for the City.
- Jackie Sylvester
The Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners actively participates in fibre arts events in Kingston and the surrounding area. Although the Guild has long been a fixture of the Kingston community, within the last thirty years, members have become increasingly involved in outreach activities related to fibre and the history of the city. Roberta McKinney explains why the Guild has become more active in the community since moving back into the Tett Centre:
Since 1988, the group has participated in the annual Kingston Sheep Dog Trials' Sheep-to-Shawl competition. During the event, teams compete to produce a shawl by shearing a sheep; skirting, carding, and spinning its wool; and weaving the wool on a pre-warped loom, all within four hours. KHWS teams take part in the competition each year and have had many successes at the event. Elaine Horemans, a frequent participant on the Guild's Sheep-to-Shawl team, describes her experience of the event. Esther Grav also shares her memory of Sheep to Shawl, and discusses the importance of the event not only for the Guild but also for the public:
As part of its mandate to educate the public about the fibre arts, KHWS is a fixture of Kingston's First Capital Day celebrations. An annual event in June, First Capital Day marks the anniversary of Kingston being named the capital city of the United Province of Canada in 1841. The capital was later moved to Toronto (1849-1851) and Québec (1851-1855 and 1859-1865) before Ottawa was made the official capital of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. During First Capital Day, cultural organizations in the city set up booths and demonstrations in City Park, recreating aspects of what life would have been like for the Kingstonians of 1841. Members of the Guild wear nineteenth-century dress and demonstrate spinning and weaving for audiences. Elaine Horemans talks about the spinners enjoying public demonstrations during the First Capital Day. Roberta McKinney describes the experience of demonstrating weaving for school groups.
Through their involvement with the public, the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners can clearly see their impact on the community. Nancy Bowman, President of the Guild from 2019-21, explains the tangible outcomes of the group's public outreach activities and how they translate into increased membership—and often spark a love for learning about the fibre arts:
Another big event for the Guild—and the Kingston community—has been the Annual Show and Sale. Held in November, "it's eagerly looked forward to with repeated customers"(Ruth Macleod). The Guild also welcomes public interest during regular studio hours. Sylvia Currie describes the Guild's active engagement with the public during studio hours and the annual sale: