Who We Are
The Sandpoint Fiberarts Guild members are involved in a diversity of textile-related work at all levels of experience – from beginner to professional. Our members weave, spin, knit, quilt, bead, sew, embroider and crochet. We make rugs, jewelry, felt, paper, baskets, clothing, dolls and toys.
To learn more about some Guild members textile-related activities, see the Links page for links to members' fiber-related businesses, blogs, etc.
Meetings & Other Activities
The Guild meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Arts Alliance located at 518 Oak Street (red building at corner of Oak and 6th Streets) in Sandpoint. Informal socializing begins at 6:30 PM, and a short business meeting and/or the evening's program follows at 7:30 PM. Vistors are always welcome!
See photographs of guild activities.
In addition to the general meeting, there are also some special interest meetings:
- Weavers meet on the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM. The location of these meetings change monthly. See photographs of the weaving study group's activities and email Lorie Hartman for information about meeting locations.
- Handspinners meet informally each Thursday from noon until at least 2:00 pm at the Arts Alliance. These sessions are free and open to anyone who spins.
- Knitters and spinners gather informally on Sundays between at 11:00AM and 4:00 PM at Something Olde, Something New, in Foster's Crossing at 504 Oak Street, Sandpoint, ID
History
Sandpoint Fiberarts Guild was formed in 1984 by a small group of women who wanted contact and interaction with other fiber artists in the Sandpoint area. They determined what they wanted, as individuals and from an organization, and proceeded to build the Guild around that core of wishes.
Over the past years, the Fiberarts Guild has offered many workshops and classes open to the community as well as our members. Some have been taught by professional instructors and many have been taught by members of our organization. We have tried to keep a high community profile by having at least one public event each year in the form of a group show or offering public mini-workshops. Our members have also been very generous in volunteering their time and talents to expose the children of North Idaho to the world of fiber arts.
Kathy Cornachio Fund
Kathy Cornachio was a vibrant member of the Sandpoint Fiberarts Guild for many years. She was our "energy" in promoting public awareness of what the Guild was all about and was also a force in our continued quest for fiber-related knowledge. Kathy passed away in the spring of 1996 of pancreatic cancer, a devastating blow to everyone who knew her. Kathy was a member of Sandpoint's Community Assistance League and upon her death that organization presented the Guild with $1000.
That donation became the seed money for the Kathy Cornachio Fund, which allows the Guild to to carry on her passion for public awareness and educational workshops by renowned fiber artists. Activities that this fund has made possible include:
- Spinning workshops and public presentations by Judith MacKenzie McCuin in 1997 and 1998
- Splint Woven Basketry workshop and public presentation by Sosse Baker in 1999
- Fiber Fest in 2004 featuring tapestry weaver extraordinaire, Sarah Swett
- Workshop and public presentation on fiber techniques using wire and fire by artist Marilyn Moore in 2006