Hi! I've never attended Convergence before and found out about it quite late so the classes I am interested in are already filled. Do you think it is worth it to go for 2-3 days just for the seminars? I'm about 3.5 hours away by train and would also get a hotel.

Comments

Fri, 02/14/2014 - 22:33

sally orgren

Let's ignore the education/seminars for a moment, and talk about what else there might be for you at the conference.

You can attend the fashion show (Wed eve). A rare opportunity to see garments on bodies, moving. The following day, you can see the same garments mounted in the exhibit area. Sometimes garments that look great on the runway look completely differently up close. There are at least 3 juried exhibits + a leader exhibit, so about 200 items to view by my guess-timate of past conferences, and there may be other exhibits at galleries around town.

The vendor hall is a wealth of information. I am hoping the yarn vendors will be bringing sample cards for purchase—makes ordering from their websites easier if I have the sample card on hand. 

The vendor hall is also a great opportunity to check out books, tools, looms, software, and network with other weavers. I try and bring back info for my guildmates who cannot attend. There are informal shows in the vendor hall (fashion and rug are two categories), demos, and also special group meetings may happen at various times, like Twist (tablet weavers), Complex Weavers, Weavers Guild of Boston Tea Party, or scheduled meet ups via Weavo/Rav. There is usually one evening dedicated to "midnight madness" (shopping) and vendors are encouraged to offer coupons, drawings and door prizes. Oh and yes, there will be yarn — like any of us need a bigger stash?!

There will be a Navajo Rug Auction by Bruce Burnham, 5th generation trader from Sanders, Arizona. Meeting Bruce and his wife Virginia is an amazing experience. Seeing the weavings will also be a treat, even if you aren't bidding. Attending the auction and volunteering to walk the rugs was one of the highlights of my conference experience in 2012.

Sounds corny, but the keynote speakers have been very interesting selections. They are usually on topics I normally wouldn't seek out, but have proved to be memorable, and many times I end up sharing the information I learned with visitors at a historic site or while demoing. 

With the exception of the fashion show and keynote, all these activities can be accessed for typically a $10 day pass. If you decide that a few seminars look enticing and want to add in the fashion show, then the CVP package is likely the cheaper option.

The conference changes a bit each year, so I am basing my comments on what has happened at past conferences. (I have attended since '98.) 

So, if you decide to attend, let me know. It'd be great to meet you!

Sally

Fri, 02/14/2014 - 22:37

Queezle

I, too, have thought about going, but have not even looked at the web site.  For me, it would involve flying to RI, but I could combine with a visit to my mother.  Thank you, Sally, for the words of encouragement.

Fri, 02/14/2014 - 22:41

akire

cool thanks sally! you've also motivated me, im going to register!

Fri, 02/14/2014 - 23:13

tommye scanlin

Everything Sally mentioned about many things to do during Convergence is so accurate! I've gone to most since 1988 and almost always get a day pass to get into the vendor hall and some of the exhibits. Also, American Tapestry Alliance has an open meeting during the time-- here's the detail about that: ATA’s Biennial Meeting and Educational Forum, Creative Voices, will be held Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Room to be announced later. Creative Voices also includes the ever popular Digislam. Also-- Join us at the opening of UNTITLED/UNJURIED: small format tapestry 2014. It takes place Thursday July 17, 2014 from 5:00 – 9:00pm. The reception will be ATA’s Networking event for the 2014 Convergence. The unjuried show is open to anyone (deadline for entry to that show has passed, however). Tommye
Sat, 02/15/2014 - 00:21

MMs-and-OOs-Ha…

With a little planning you can maybe do a Weavolution meet up. It really is the only time to see a lot of equipment in one place, meet the makers etc. Fashion show is not an option!, must see.
Sat, 02/15/2014 - 00:27

debmcclintock

When I attend Convergence I use the short seminars to learn if I understand/like the teacher's style. If so I am willing to take a 3 or 4 day with the teacher in the future. I've taken long classes before that were not a good match for me. This helps me prequalify where I spend weaving $$s in the future.
Sat, 02/15/2014 - 00:27

sally orgren

I attended their Friday evening reception in New Mexico 2010, and I should mention that at Convergence 2012, a guildmate and I got to meet Tommye in person as she was doing a tapestry demo.

And, there are typically book signings happening at various times, so if you have a favorite book or author, you might get the chance to meet them in person. (Inky and I got to meet Anne Dixon & Kate, from Ashford Looms, when the first copies of Anne's Inkle Pattern book were released.)

Fri, 02/28/2014 - 04:04

WeavesToo (not verified)

I'm registered and going and really looking forward to it!  It was fun to read the comments about what all goes on.  I do have a full schedule of workshops/classes.

I lived in Rhode Island for three years (moons ago).  It is a beautiful place so take a tour if you can.

Fri, 02/28/2014 - 17:43

sally orgren

Let's see if we have any sessions together!

Thu, 03/20/2014 - 12:43

CraftinSusan

Hi!  This Convergence will be my third one.  With the first two I only went for three days.  With the first one I filled those days with seminars and a workshop leaving little time for shopping.  The second time I went I left more time to shop the venders althouh I did take a couple of workshops.  Just shopping in the vender area is an experience!  This Convergence is the first time I am taking workshops all week and two seminars at the end of the week.  It would be nice if we could all do a meet up!
Fri, 03/21/2014 - 22:23

Joanne Hall

I have been to 9, if I I have not forgotten one or two, and they are always a good experience.  One can really learn a lot.   I am teaching a workshop on patterned band weaving and two seminars, one on warping tools and one on the countermarch, plus I am giving a demonstration on the countermarch at our loom in the vendor hall.  I am really looking forward to this and I hope to see you there. 

Joanne

Sat, 03/22/2014 - 00:05

CraftinSusan

I signed up for the Countermarch seminar.  Are you the teacher?  I am interested in the Julia 4S Countermarch loom and wanted to get more information on countermarch looms espeically on how to set one up and warp it.

Sat, 03/22/2014 - 00:06

CraftinSusan

I signed up for the Countermarch seminar.  Are you the teacher?  I am interested in the Julia 4S Countermarch loom and wanted to get more information on countermarch looms espeically on how to set one up and warp it.

Sat, 03/22/2014 - 00:59

Joanne Hall

Probably.  I did not read through all the classes, but I did not see than anyone else was teaching this.  It is Friday morning at 9.

Joanne

Sat, 03/22/2014 - 12:50

CraftinSusan

Yes, that is the one I registered for.  See you there!
Sat, 03/22/2014 - 12:50

CraftinSusan

Yes, that is the one I registered for.  See you there!
Sun, 06/08/2014 - 16:07

sally orgren

It's finally approaching! 

I have heard two different people tell me they are planning their exhibit strategy and route, and I know there are still a few folks seeking roommates because until recently, I was one of them. It sounds like the exhibit in Lowell is worth trekking to—gotta look that one up...

Me? I am watching the list of vendors! I plot the vendors with their booth spaces on the convention floor map so I'll have a plan when I get there.

My other favorite thing is the informal fashion show, usually on Friday at noon. I am hoping to see some projects that folks have posted here at Weavo in person, or at the very least, to meet some of the Weavo members in the audience. I will have my avatar on my nametag, so if you don't recognize my face, you'll at least know the image of all those colorful spools!

Sun, 06/08/2014 - 19:10

debmcclintock

Sally, see if the Lowell librarian is working the day you go to the exhibit. Her hours had been cut back last I knew. The Lowell textile libeary collection was awesome. Not sure what the budget cuts have done to accessibility.
Sun, 06/08/2014 - 21:49

Ludmilla (not verified)

I think it is great that all you folks are going to Convergence but the one I went to was a disappointment. IMHO, the regional conference in Durange does a much better job with a weaving conference than Convergence. I decided not to go to the one in Rhode Island because I do not think it is worth the money and the time. I hope the Convergence's improve over time but I was very disappointed in HGA's management and attitude.

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 01:46

sally orgren

Ludmilla, When you attended Convergence, what did you take? What is it about the other conference you like?
Mon, 06/09/2014 - 02:13

akire

i'll be there as well! it'll be my first attendance. i didnt know i should plan out my vendor list for shopping!

Mon, 06/09/2014 - 19:01

sally orgren

The juried shows at the Convention Center are easy to access, but I was hearing about the ATA exhibit today at my guild meeting.

I think I need to get a map and plot out this trip a bit. Note the times and evenings the museums are open, to maximize the experience. This is a once-every-two-year opportunity to see a LOT of handwovens in a concentrated area. I allocated one full day for the vendor hall and exhibits. Gee, I hope that was enough!

Tue, 06/10/2014 - 13:55

tommye scanlin

The ATA small format exhibit opens on July 17; Janet Austin, who organized the small format exhibit for ATA has written about it at her blog:  http://www.austintapestry.blogspot.com/2014/05/untitledunjuried-small-format-tapestry.html.  And there's a meeting and forum for ATA members and others interested on July 19 at the Convention Center. No charge for the forum although one would have to have a day pass to get in to the Convention Center, I presume.  One of the fun features of the forum is "digislam"--a visual treat of images from tapestry folks all over the world.  There will also be presentations by two of the people who will be leading ATA workshops following the close of Convergence--Marcel Marois and Susan Martin Maffei.  

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 13:40

Ludmilla (not verified)

I attended the Convergence in Albuquerque. I was glad I lived there and did not spend a lot of money getting there.  I did not think that it was well managed, and this is not a reflection of the guild there, which I belong to. The national group did not want much input from the local people which is fine. But I expected that they would run the event much better. I also attended the HGA meeting and was not happy with the attitude and remarks of the HGA staff there.

In contrast, I have attended 4 of the regional conferences in Durango. I find them well run and the staff are all great.

 

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 17:18

sally orgren

I think that was the year where the model fell right before the fashion show and broke her arm, correct? So the order of the garments was disrupted. And due to rain, the "human kumihimo" got moved at the last minute, and I missed it. I remember!

Did you take any classes, or just come with a day pass?

In 2010 I took the workshop in Rio Grand weaving with Karen Martinez. It was really the only way I would ever get a chance to weave for several days on the walking loom and I loved it! And, I came home with a beautifully woven and finished rug. (I suppose that would be similar to this year for folks outside the Northeast, when they can take advantage of the proximity of RISD for some jacquard loom offerings.)

I have to admit, my favorites are the exhibits, fashion show, informal fashion show, and the vendor hall. Even if I took no classes, those activities usually keep me going for quite a while after the conference is over. Some of the keynotes have left lasting impressions on me too, which I didn't expect.

When I go, I try and make sure I have empty looms. I don't want to be impeded by having to weave off a bazillion yards of something that becomes boring after the conference when I have new ideas percolating.

I think my regional conference is very good, too. I like the intimacy of that venue, it hovers at just about 125 attendees with concentrated, hands on instruction. But Convergence is on a different scale for me, and I appreciate the biennial opportunity to network, see new products and information that I can bring back to my guild, and meet weavers outside my region.

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 19:48

tien (not verified)

Woot!! I am going to Convergence after all. Google bought my startup for $500 million on Tuesday (8th-largest acquisition in Google history!) and while I won't retire on the proceeds, I will most likely finally be able to afford a jacquard loom. So I am going to spend three days in the vendor hall taking the TC-2 through its paces. The Digital Weaving Norway folks have generously offered to show me how to use the loom and let me weave on it (when they don't need it to demo for other customers) so I will be in the vendor hall from Thursday through Saturday. Stop by the Digital Weaving Norway/TC-2 booth and say hi!

Sally and others - if you haven't seen my wedding dress yet and want to, it's at the American Textile History Museum, which is in Lowell. If you email me I can get in touch with the curator and ask her to give you a private viewing. (I'm tempted to hop over there myself, just to say hi and make sure it's happy in its new home. ;-) )

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 20:42

sally orgren

Fiberart International 2013, opening July 11th at the ATHM. (So yes, getting up to Lowell is on my agenda!) Too much to see, too little time. Looks like museum hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 10-5. $8 Adults, $6 seniors. www.athm.org/exhibitions/future_exhibitions/

Deb, If I run out of time in July, want to make a date for the fall? The exhibit runs through Oct 26th and could be combined with a Rhinebeck trip, right? ;-) 

Fri, 06/13/2014 - 22:37

tien (not verified)

Sally, is there any chance we could go together for the trip? I won't have a car but would really like to get to the museum. I have nothing on my schedule between Thursday and Saturday, so could go any time.

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 03:04

sally orgren

I am still working on my Convergence schedule. I am trying to schedule a side trip to a historical society on the RI/MA border early in the week, which means if I get to Lowell, it would be Wed a.m. and then I would head down to Providence by noon. Still working on the details, all might fall through, so I will keep you in mind!

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 04:11

Weeweaver (not verified)

My friend Susan and I went to the textile museum and saw your lovely dress, Tien. What a nice touch to have a sample of the material so we could touch it! It really made my day to see the dress after reading all about it. I am so glad you decided to have it displayed where the "local yokels" could look at it. Thanks so much for that treasured memory!

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 12:22

tien (not verified)

Thanks, Sally. I won't be in Providence until Wednesday evening, so it looks like that timing won't work for me - but if your plans change, I'd love to hear!

I expect to have an odd time at Convergence - I am taking no classes and have absolutely no plans except to hang out at the Digital Weaving Norway booth. (Which will be an education unto itself!) I will probably go see the galleries, though...

Thu, 06/19/2014 - 12:25

tien (not verified)

I'm glad you got out to see it! I wanted to share it with a wider audience than just a few conferences, so the museum exhibit was perfect. And glad you enjoyed the swatches - I had some leftover fabric, so I made some touch swatches - I know I love to fondle fabric, and figured others might too!

Fri, 06/20/2014 - 15:36

sally orgren

This information was posted over at WeaveTech and I am sharing it here in case anyone was seeking details about this exhibit in conjunction with Convergence:-----------------------------Complexity at Brown University in the Cohen Gallery, Granoff Center (154 Angell St.) will be there from July 14-August 14. It is open from 8 am to 4 pm M-F plus July 19-20 from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.It is about a mile from the Convention Center (uphill). It is a straight easy walk past RISD if you can do hills.If you want to drive, parking during the summer is possible, mostly metered, so you will need to have quarters and you might need to drive around a bit to find a space along Thayer, Angell, Brown or Meeting Streets.There are buses that run from Kennedy Plaza (about a block from the convention center) thru a tunnel to Thayer St., one block from the gallery along Thayer St. The fare is $2 each way, or $1 if you can show a Medicare card. Number 40 and 42 bus go up the hill thru the tunnel which is about a 5 min. ride. You can check and print out the schedule at the bus website RIPTA

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 13:14

loomyladi (not verified)

The van will be packed and the journey will begin for us (Bruce & I) on Fri the 11th.  A visit with the kids and grands on the way, a stop at The Coverlet Museum in Bedford, PA to pick up their display (which will be in the Purrington Booth 120/221) and a detour to Shelbourne Village in VT (a major detour) AND be in Providence by Tues. noon.  Whew....I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  In the meantime, I have orders to get packed and a million other things... Hope to see you all there!

Thu, 07/10/2014 - 13:19

sally orgren

It is very exciting to see the list of vendors. Almost all of the loom and equipment companies will be there. Along with many of our favorite yarn companies, it also appears Silk City yarns will be in the marketplace, that is a first as long as I have been attending. I color coded the list into 5 general categories: equipment, yarns, organizations, publishers, and international / imported / ethnic extiles.
Thu, 07/10/2014 - 13:34

tommye scanlin

Hi Sally, 

Is this only available to folks who've registered for Convergence?  I'll be getting day passes for the time I'm there so maybe I'll be able to pick one up when I buy the pass--but if it's online, perhaps I can sneek a peek at what I want to target!

The ATA unjuried small format exhibit opening is on the 17th and I'll be going to that.  That event will be our "meet and greet" opportunity with folks--sort of like the one where I met you a few years back but with small tapestries hanging all around--over 200 of them!

The ATA meeting with presentations and the ever popular digi-slam is on the 19th.  That could be dropped into, I believe, if you want to see some of the things going on there.

Thu, 07/10/2014 - 15:35

La La

Well, as luck would have it, I am new to weaving (only about 1 year and a half) and hope to get to Providence for at least a day... I happen to live about an hour away, so this should be a good opportunity for me to check things out. I hope it happens because I am kind of tied up with things at home, but I will try. I will be watching out for nametags I recognize from Weavolution......
Fri, 07/11/2014 - 00:00

tien (not verified)

Tommye- where is the exhibit opening? I'm going to be in town that evening and would love to go.

Fri, 07/11/2014 - 00:37

weaver-dyer (not verified)

You can find the Convergence Gallery Guide (also includes the Vendors) at: http://www.weavespindye.org/gallery-guide

Janet 

Fri, 07/11/2014 - 13:45

sally orgren

You beat me to it!

I like to take a hardcopy of the gallery guide with me when looking at exhibits and make notes in the margins about the works and the artists. Then I can follow up later with web searches. Also, it helps me remember names. It is then fun when attending conferences or weaving events to meet someone whose name is familiar, sometimes because I had noted their woven works submitted to exhibits over the years or seen their work in articles or publications.

A couple interesting details I saw in this year's guide:

Schiffer is having a book signing for Hex Weave (Thursday, July 17, 11 a.m.) and the Brown Book (Friday, July 18, 1 p.m.), at their booth in the marketplace. FYI, Schiffer also produced Susan Wilson's Crackle book, and the Bertha Gray Hayes Book. (Booth 221)

On Thursday eve "Gallery Night Providence" is providing an "artbus", which will visit member galleries featuring textile artists with local fiber artist Michelle Leavitt as a guide. The bus will depart from One Recency Plaza at starting at 5:30. (Visit gallerynight.org or call 401-490-2042 for more information.

Tien-the ATA Untitled/Unjuried small format tapestry exhibit is at the U of RI Feinsteirn Providence Campus Gallery, 80 Washington Street. Opening is Thursday July 17, 5-9, with catalogs available to purchase. (I visited their small format exhibit in Tampa, and it was spectacular.)

Now that Janet has provided the website to access the gallery guide, has anyone else seen any interesting tidbits?

Fri, 07/11/2014 - 16:03

justmekaybee

Hi La La,  I hope you do get a chance to go.  I live in California so I won't be there, but I go to our local CNCH conference every year and love it.  It is a great place for a new weaver to see all the tools, fabrics, yarns, and techniques available.   It will likely help you know what areas you'll want to focus on.   Enjoy!

Sat, 07/12/2014 - 17:26

sally orgren

Visiting the vendor hall is always one of my priorities at this conference. Only 5% of my guild attends any major conference in a given year, so this is a fantastic opportunity to bring back information for the members who can not attend, especially our influx of new weavers who are on the cusp of buying/upgrading equipment, tools, software, books, and other resources.

I will be on the lookout for yarn sample cards again this year. Some of my guildmates were just discussing that a notebook of current yarn sample cards from major vendors would be a valuable asset to have in our guild library to facilite future orders. 

Day passes are still $10, and I see in the gallery guide there are several ways to get admitted for FREE: ages 18-21, military + families, and on Saturday, July 19, HGA members can get in free, along with anyone who is a member of a museum, as long as you have your membership card with you. 
I will be on the lookout for unusual yarns (handpainted or made from unusual materials) and books not in my library. I carry my weaving library list on my cell phone to reduce redundant purchases, thanks to a previous suggestion on one of the forums!I am also curious if any of the vendors will be selling the book Echo and Iris? I like to crack the covers of the just-released weaving books and assemble my birthday and Christmas wish-lists at this conference. Also, I am hoping Vavstuga and Lone Star Loom Room will have a selection of Swedish weaving books on hand.FYI, for the Structo 240 fans, Glimakra has the perfectly-sized, low profile shuttles for these small and narrow-shed looms, and Serendipity still has bundles of the small heddles, last I checked in May. Jim Wilson, from Gowdey Reed, will be there too! I think he is a 3rd or 4th generation reed maker, so probably an interesting guy to meet.Anybody else have a marketplace strategy in mind? If you have never been, it will probably be a bit overwhelming — considering there are exhibits to see as part of your day pass well!

 

Sat, 07/12/2014 - 17:36

Joanne Hall

Hi Sally,

Glimakra will have sample cards for Swedish cotton, cottolin and linen.  Plus the owner of Glimakra will be there from Sweden, so this is your opportunity to meet him and ask questions.  His English is better than mine, and he can answer your questions about reeds, which have been made by the factory for about 90 years.  We will have a copy of the new edition of the Big Book of Weaving as well as recent issues of VAV magazine.  Yohannah, who teaches weaving in Texas will be with us and we will have her beautiful coverlet on display.  It is a double weave woven on a drawloom.  

I will be teaching the first day that the vendor hall is open, but I will be there the other days.  So, come by and introduce yourself. 

Joanne

Sat, 07/12/2014 - 22:33

sally orgren

Maybe I can practice my "Hej Hej".

Also, I am going to notify my guildmates who have Glimakras he will be there. That fact alone might make it worth it for them to come up on a day pass.

Yohannah and the mention of Texas lead me to visions of the workshop pictures Endorph posted a while back. I believe you traveled down there, am I correct? (That looked like an ambitious and impressive class!)

Safe travels—