Roberta McKinney talks about her experience planning the 2005 OHS Conference.

Roberta McKinney talks about her experience planning the 2005 OHS Conference.

June 22, 2021

© Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners

Shaelagh Cull

Roberta McKinney

Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning

There are two that really come to mind that I think are moments of significance within the Guild. One was our 50th anniversary, and we organized show a display of our work at the main Kingston Library. And, I think it was a nice way for the public to see exactly what we're doing. Because until things changed, and we came back into the Tett, and were more involved with the public, I don't think they really had a chance to find out what we were doing. And I really enjoyed that, we had a little reception one evening, and then it was on for the weekend. The second thing was helping to organize a conference for the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners. It was supposed to be in our region, and they asked Kingston if we would organize it and bring all the other guilds from the region in as part of it. That was I believe, in 2005. And it was wonderful being part of that. I think I learned an awful lot and gained a lot of experience at the same time. I was one of the co-chairs and the other lady was a great organizer, and I could talk to people, and the two of us made a great team. And it was, as far as I'm concerned, it was a very successful conference. The conference meant a lot because I have attended a lot of conferences and this was a chance to be on the inside see the inside workings of one. It was a question of organizing seminars, organizing workshops, contacting all of the the people who were going to give these things. We even had planned a field trip for anyone that was interested to go down to the Handweaving Museum in Clayton, New York. And at that time the border was fairly open, so we rented two limousines and loaded the ladies in and rolled them down to Clayton and they had a wonderful time. I didn't get to go, but it was seeing the work that goes on behind the scenes and I find that very gratifying. I love to be part of something not just participating but being behind the scenes and seeing what happens and that meant a lot to me.