The Guild's Yurt at the Grist Mill in 2022
The Desert Sage Guild is almost 50 years old. Located in the South Okanagan, the Guild has a membership of over sixty artists and crafters actively engaged in the fibre arts. For almost five decades the Guild was known as the Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers. The name was changed recently to Desert Sage Fibre Arts Guild, for in addition to spinning and weaving, members practice everything from knitting, felting, rug hooking, dyeing and crocheting to a variety of other fibre arts and crafts.
The Guild works to:
These goals are pursued throughout the year with workshops and classes on a wide range of fibre arts and crafts. Outreach is done through mini exhibitions and demonstrations in libraries and other public spaces. The Guild also has a booth at the annual Oliver Arts and Crafts Fair as well as displays in galleries to sell member’s pieces and increase our public profile.
Members come from communities throughout the Southern Okanagan and Similkameen, from Summerland to Osoyoos, Cawston and Keremeos. The Thursday Drop-ins take place in the Oliver Community Hall from September to June. During the summer, outdoor meetups, spin-ins and markets are arranged in an assortment of local parks, public spaces and heritage sites.
The Guild works to:
- Foster the growing interest in the fibre arts and crafts
- Support and further the work of its current members
- Provide instruction, discussion, inspiration, motivation, and companionship for its members
- Teach and encourage newcomers to the fibre arts
These goals are pursued throughout the year with workshops and classes on a wide range of fibre arts and crafts. Outreach is done through mini exhibitions and demonstrations in libraries and other public spaces. The Guild also has a booth at the annual Oliver Arts and Crafts Fair as well as displays in galleries to sell member’s pieces and increase our public profile.
Members come from communities throughout the Southern Okanagan and Similkameen, from Summerland to Osoyoos, Cawston and Keremeos. The Thursday Drop-ins take place in the Oliver Community Hall from September to June. During the summer, outdoor meetups, spin-ins and markets are arranged in an assortment of local parks, public spaces and heritage sites.
The Guild's show at the Art Gallery of Osoyoos in 2023
Library and Equipment
There are three floor looms used on Thursdays for Guild projects along with all the raddles, reeds, bobbin winders and everything else an active weaving studio might need. There is a spinning wheel for learners and new spinners, and items such as swifts, drum carders and cone winders can be used during the drop-ins where there are volunteers to demonstrate how everything is used. A lot of equipment like the table looms, rug cutters and fringe twisters can be borrowed for up to four weeks.
The books and magazines in the library are a great resource and cover a wide range of fibre arts and crafts. Members can check with the volunteer librarians, browse the shelves or check the catalogue which lists the approximately 250 books according to subject. Books may be borrowed for up to four weeks. The library also contains magazines, videos and CDs on spinning, weaving and the many other fibre arts.
There are three floor looms used on Thursdays for Guild projects along with all the raddles, reeds, bobbin winders and everything else an active weaving studio might need. There is a spinning wheel for learners and new spinners, and items such as swifts, drum carders and cone winders can be used during the drop-ins where there are volunteers to demonstrate how everything is used. A lot of equipment like the table looms, rug cutters and fringe twisters can be borrowed for up to four weeks.
The books and magazines in the library are a great resource and cover a wide range of fibre arts and crafts. Members can check with the volunteer librarians, browse the shelves or check the catalogue which lists the approximately 250 books according to subject. Books may be borrowed for up to four weeks. The library also contains magazines, videos and CDs on spinning, weaving and the many other fibre arts.
Admiring the tea towels selected for a Canada-wide tea towel exchange
Board and Committees
The Guild is a non-profit community organization run by the members. All executive positions and committees are staffed by volunteers. A monthly Guild meeting is held on the second Thursday of the month with an annual general meeting in May held to elect executive positions and approve the following year's budget.
Executive positions are elected for 2-year terms and consist of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There are committees for library, equipment, workshops, and membership. Ad hoc committees are struck for special projects, marketing, community outreach, exhibitions, etc.
As a community organization all members are expected to particpate in the many responsibilities of operating the Guild. These include: opening and closing the Hall each Thursday, preparing for soup days, social media, coordinating exhibitions and the group projects on the floor looms.
Governance
The Guild is a community-based not-for-profit operating under a constitution and bylaws. Click here to read the constitution and bylaws.
The Guild is a non-profit community organization run by the members. All executive positions and committees are staffed by volunteers. A monthly Guild meeting is held on the second Thursday of the month with an annual general meeting in May held to elect executive positions and approve the following year's budget.
Executive positions are elected for 2-year terms and consist of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There are committees for library, equipment, workshops, and membership. Ad hoc committees are struck for special projects, marketing, community outreach, exhibitions, etc.
As a community organization all members are expected to particpate in the many responsibilities of operating the Guild. These include: opening and closing the Hall each Thursday, preparing for soup days, social media, coordinating exhibitions and the group projects on the floor looms.
Governance
The Guild is a community-based not-for-profit operating under a constitution and bylaws. Click here to read the constitution and bylaws.
Banner photo: The Guild booth at the Oliver Arts and Crafts Fair in 2023
