PRESIDENT: Lynnette Silberschlag

CONFERENCE CHAIRMAN: Rebecca Fabos

Our the third conference in six years! President Lynn Silberschlag and Vice President (and Conference Chairman) Rebecca Fabos, both of Tucson Handweavers and Spinners Guild, no longer had to invent the wheel. Because he knew his way around, Becky handed the golf car keys to Past President Larry Coveney, telling him, "Site is yours." An international instructor staff was assembled and fifteen workshops were presented.

The campus at Central Arizona College at Coolidge had expanded. Matching classes needing a water source, i.e., batik, dyeing, basketry, and gourds, with classrooms calling for numerous outlets, i.e., sewing, computer design, etc. became a serious study. Somewhere in the middle were standard classrooms whose tables could be rearranged to accommodate weaving and spinning.

A Southwestern-colored palette was chosen. Past President Shelby Adams, Green Valley Guild, donated a tapestry featuring a Joshua tree silhouetted in an Arizona sunset. The tapestry was woven by Shelby, using yarns handspun and dyed by his late wife, Zoe Adams. A picture of the tapestry was then silk-screened onto canvas aprons and one was given to each registrant. The national Complex Weavers Guild added its own award. Lin Fife, Professor of Fine Art at Univ. of Colo., served as juror for the Juror’s Choice Show. Dr. Laurie Webster, noted textile consultant and author, presented the keynote address. Attendance grew. Registrants came from as far away as Virginia and seven other states besides Arizona.

As she welcomed all guests, instructors, and registrants, President Lynn Silberschlag remarked, "Little did we know back in 2000 that our conference would be so widely accepted and attended."