Pottawatomi Spinners and Weavers Guild: 50 Years of Making in Grey and Bruce
The Pottawatomi Spinners and Weavers Guild marked its 50th anniversary in Owen Sound with a celebration of fibre arts, history, and community recognition.
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In 1975, our Guild began when Elinor Bartlett placed an ad in the paper and six people who shared a love of spinning and weaving replied, forming the Pottawatomi Spinners and Weavers Guild. Enthusiastic about sharing their love of fibres with the public, the Guild has prospered for over 50 years, often demonstrating and teaching at community events.
Our group consists of weavers, spinners, knitters, basket makers, lace makers, and dyers. We hosted a celebration to reunite former and current members, gathering at the New Life Centre, Owen Sound on April 8th, 2025.
The highlight of every monthly meeting is Show and Tell, where new projects are displayed and discussed. This 50th Anniversary celebration featured the Ultimate Show and Tell, showcasing new and old handmade items from members, and was narrated by Susan Reeve.
Dee Burnlees presented a brief history of the Guild, accompanied by displays of past events.
Former Guild President Harriet Boon received an Honorary Life Member award from Dorothy Hinchcliffe. Some highlights of Harriet’s career working with fibres include: interpreting pioneer crafts at the Grey Roots Museum, teaching Master Spinning programs at the Haliburton School of the Arts, judging sheep and wool at the Royal Winter Fair, and in the USA.
She also served as Guild president for two terms and was a member of the program committee.
One of the collaborative projects created by the Guild, under the leadership of Ruth Arnsberger, was the 8-panel woven tapestry. It was created over the course of a full year to commemorate our 10th anniversary in 1985.
In anticipation of our 50th anniversary celebration, Harriet Boon offered to snow clean the tapestry, using the traditional Scandinavian technique of spreading the piece in clean snow, allowing abundant snow to accumulate and finally, beating it with a willow rug beater.
You can view the Guild tapestry, Georgian Bay, at the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library Auditorium.