Susi Reinink on the future of the Guild and fibre arts.

Susi Reinink on the future of the Guild and fibre arts.

July 05, 2021

© Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners

Shaelagh Cull

Susi Reinink

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It has changed quite a bit in the focus. I mean, at this point, it's still called the Handloom Weavers and Spinners Guild, right, but an awful lot of other techniques have been introduced, like, well, dyeing, of course, was part of spinning, mainly spinning. And now it's a lot of felting, braiding, basketry. So again, probably to open it up to more people and not be so specific with only the weaving and the spinning. I think the future fiber arts has, it has a future, which is always good. I mean, I think that more people, I mean, more people have time, in a way, in their retirement, to do something creative. I think, to be creative is such a satisfaction rather than to sit in front of a TV and let it happen to you rather than participate in something. Some people like to watch games like hockey games or curling or whatever, I like to participate in. And I think with the fiber arts, through the Guilds, that we can reach out and give that satisfaction to people that have now the time to do it. People are retiring earlier and earlier it seems it definitely has a future. And I'm glad about that. If you get bitten by the bug and you advance and learn more, I think it's such a huge satisfaction for people to be with, as I mentioned before, like minded people that inspire each other.