Special Events

These events provide an opportunity for attendees to meet their peers in a fun and educational environment.

Special Events

Download Convergence Registration Book

All Special Events are Free with purchase of a CVP or Day Pass unless noted. Registration for ticketed special events opens October 9, 2023 to those who have have given $300 or more since January 1, 2023 to HGA and October 16 for those who have given $100 or more since January 1. General registration opens on October 23, 2023.

Cancellations: Convergence^® Day Passes and tickets purchased for Convergence^® Special Events (Fashion Show, Keynote Presentation, Juror’s Talks, etc.) are non-refundable.

Special events subject to change

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Advocates Reception: Celebrating Small Expressions (Invite Only)

Wednesday, July 10

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

In 2024 give $300 or more to HGA to receive an invitation

Advocates who have donated $300 or more in 2024 to HGA are invited to join the HGA Board for an exclusive reception celebrating the Small Expressions exhibit. The juror will give a talk about their decision process in selecting the works. Wine and light bites will be provided.

Click to Donate

Register to Attend

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Skein Competition & Exhibit, sponsored by Kromski North America (through Sunday, July 14)

Panel Session: Curating Excellent Exhibitions, sponsored by Karen Leckart

Thursday, July 11

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Curating Excellent Exhibitions

Sponsored by Karen I. Leckart

Panelists: Mandy Drumming, Mary Lee-McDonald, and Laurie Carlson Steger

How do the experts curate a beautiful exhibit? There are several elements that must be carefully considered: from height and spacing to the presentation of text, to budgeting, to the overall flow of an exhibit. Panelists will discuss how curators and jurors ensure an exhibit informs and enthralls an audience.

Purchase a Day Pass

Purchase a CVP

Juror’s Talk: Whirlwind of Fibers Basketry Exhibit ($)

Juror’s Talk: Explorers of Wind, Wagons, and Wheat Mixed Media Exhibit ($)

HGA Supporters Cocktail Reception & Early Access Seating (Invite Only)

Sunflowers to Sunsets Wearable Art Fashion Show, sponsored by Marcy Petrini and Terry Dwyer ($)

Thursday, July 11

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Sponsored by Marcy Petrini and Terry Dwyer

Tickets: $81 or Free with CVP, cash bar available

Join HGA for our most popular Convergence^® event, a spectacular Fashion Show featuring wearable art designed and handmade by fiber artists from around the world. Inspired by Sunflowers to Sunsets, these works are as colorful and breathtaking as a field of sunflowers. Like the breathtaking view of the sun setting on a warm summer day, these artists’ creativity and use of colors and textures will leave you in awe.

Register to Attend

Purchase a CVP

Friday, July 12, 2024

Juror’s Talk: Explorers of Wind, Wagons, and Wheat Mixed Media Exhibit

Panel Session: Shave 'Em to Save 'Em – How to Start Your Own, sponsored by MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA)

Friday, July 12

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Shave 'Em to Save 'Em – How to Start Your Own

Sponsored by MidAtlantic Fiber Association (MAFA)

Panelists: Sharon Barnes, Roy Clemes, and Callene Rapp

Learn about The Livestock Conservancy’s Shave 'em to Save 'em initiative to encourage the use of wool from endangered heritage sheep breeds by fiber artists. The program recognizes fiber artists who use the wool, connects shepherds with potential customers, and saves endangered breeds by giving them a job. Hear from our panelists about the opportunities to connect with fellow travelers on the heritage wool journey.

Purchase a Day Pass

Purchase a CVP

Breed Study, co-sponsored by Clemes & Clemes and The Natural Twist, LLC

Friday, July 12

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Co-sponsored by Clemes & Clemes and The Natural Twist, LLC

Tickets $65

Learn about 6 different types of wool from the ground up in this breed study! Starting with raw fleece, participants will get hands-on experience scouring and prepping the fiber, through spinning to finished samples. If you have never worked with raw fleece before, group support will provide encouragement and advice. If you routinely work with raw wool, you will likely take home some new-to-you breeds. This unique event, led by Study Coordinator, Sharon Barnes, will include one 2-hour on-site fleece, information, and Q&A session and three follow-up Zoom meetings (7:30 PM CT Tuesdays, Aug. 6 & 20, 2024 and Sept. 3, 2024). Participants should be available to participate in all four meetings and will be responsible for shipping their fleece home. Bystanders will be permitted to watch from a distance.

Register

Juror’s Talk: Sunflowers to Sunsets Wearable Art Exhibit ($)

Friday, July 12

5:15 PM – 6:45 PM

Tickets $35

Poised at the junction of art, craft, and fashion, artwear has both challenged and blurred cultural boundaries as works of art made to adorn the body. Take a walk through the wearable art exhibit with Juror Susan Lazear as she discusses the impact that color, design, fabric, and construction have in creating designer show pieces.

Register for Juror's Talk - Sold Out - Waitlist Available

Meet & Greet Networking Session

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Juror’s Talk: Whirlwind of Fibers Basketry Exhibit ($)

Panel Session: Weaving the Future – Sustainable and Ethical Fiber Art, sponsored by John C. Campbell Folk School

Saturday, July 13

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Weaving the Future – Sustainable and Ethical Fiber Art

sponsored by John C. Campbell Folk School

Panelists: Maren Beck, Bea Bonnano, David Heustess, and Deborah Kruger

Join us for a discussion on how to create sustainable and ethical fiber art. Sustainability means future-proofing our art form. Our panel of experts will share their insights on how to use eco-friendly materials, reduce or recycle waste, and support local communities while creating beautiful and meaningful textiles.

Purchase a Day Pass

Purchase a CVP

Open Portfolio - Sponsored by Fiberworks PCW ($)

sponsored by Fiberworks PCW

Saturday, July 12

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

To Present: $20

Students and emerging artists are invited to open their portfolios for critique and review by professors and professional fiber artists. These displays are free for Convergence^® attendees to admire the work and ask questions of the artists who have put their work on display. Complete guidelines are available online. Advance registration is required.

Register to Share Your Work

Juror’s Talk: Limitless Prairies, Limitless Sky Yardage Exhibit ($) - Nearly Full

Juror’s Talk: Sunflowers to Sunsets Wearable Art Exhibit ($)

Saturday, July 13

6:15 PM – 7:45 PM

Tickets $35

Register for Juror's Talk

Supporters Reception: Celebrating Philanthropy (Invite Only)

Saturday, July 13

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

In 2024 give $100 or more to HGA to receive an invitation

Supporters who have donated $100 or more in 2024 to HGA are invited to join the HGA Board for an informative and festive dessert reception. HGA will introduce the students who have benefitted from your support and share the news about the 2026 Convergence^®.

Click to Donate

Register to Attend

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Juror’s Talk: Limitless Prairies, Limitless Sky Yardage Exhibit ($)

Friend Luncheon with Nikyle Begay (Invite Only)

Panel Session: D.I.Y. Fiber Tour: How to Add Fiber to Your Travels, sponsored by Peters Valley School of Craft

Sunday, July 14

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM

D.I.Y. Fiber Tour: How to Add Fiber to Your Travels

sponsored by Peters Valley School of Craft

Panelists: Joan Namkoong, Sally Orgren, and Virginia Postrel

Wondering how to incorporate fiber into your travels? Maybe you're looking to make an all-fiber trip or just to add fiber to an existing travel plan. Panelists will share their tips for getting in touch with artists and guilds to forge new connections and weave fiber into your next vacation.

Handwoven Kitchen Towel Exchange, sponsored by Jane Stafford Textiles

sponsored by Jane Stafford Textiles

Sunday, July 14

8:30 AM - 2:00 PM Towels are delivered

9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Towels are on view to the Convergence attendees with a CVP or Day Pass

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Participants (only) exchange towels

Join us for a weaving exchange as a participant or an observer. This is a great way to meet fellow weaving enthusiasts and to increase your handwoven towel stash. Complete guidelines available online. Advance registration required.

Participants will each bring five towels and will leave with five wonderful new towels. Please review these Guidelines:

Towels must be woven from cotton, linen, hemp, or any combination of these fibers.
Finished size is to be 18” x 25”. Please plan ahead to address shrinkage and pull-in.
Please finish with a hem either hand-sewn or machine-sewn.
Weave five towels.
Include a copy of the draft and treadling, thread samples, and source with each towel. Include your name, contact information and any additional information you would like to share with your towel recipients.
Towels must be delivered (in person or appoint someone) between 8:30 AM and 2 PM on Sunday, July 14, 2024 to the TBD
At 5 PM on Sunday, July 14, 2024 participants will exchange towels.

Register to Participate

Keynote Presentation by Nikyle Begay and 2026 Convergence® Announcement ($), sponsored by Hillcreek Fiber Studio

Sunday, July 14, 2024

7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

sponsored by Hillcreek Fiber Studio

Tickets: $41 or Free with CVP

Dibé bei iiná—Sheep is Life: The introduction of sheep to the Diné People was a pivotal point in Diné history. We are the only people in North America who have adjusted to new life ways within a few centuries since colonial contact. From grazing through the changing of seasons, to weaving durable blankets, learn about the pastoral and shepherding life ways of the Diné and our relationship to sheep and wool

Prior to Nikyle's presentation, the Exhibit awards will be announced. Following the presentation, we will make the 2026 announcement.

Register for Keynote

Purchase a CVP

Small Expressions Public Reception

Purchase a CVP (includes fashion show, keynote & more)

Cancellations

Tickets purchased for Convergence® Special Events (Fashion Show, Keynote Presentation, Tours, Juror Talks, etc.) are non-refundable.

Request Meeting Space

Special Interest Meetings & Gatherings

HGA’s Convergence® conference is the perfect place to meet face-to-face with others who share your interest in fibers and textile techniques. Join in a meeting and make new friends.

Nonprofit groups who hold Affiliate Guild or Professional Organization Memberships with HGA are encouraged to meet during Convergence®. Meetings hosted by these groups are open to everyone. For more information about the meetings and the topics covered, please contact the individual groups.

American Tapestry Alliance (ATA) Speakers Session

Complex Weavers Open Meeting

Tablet Weavers' International Studies & Techniques (TWIST) Open Meeting

The Weaver's Friend 2: Rag Rug Show & Tell

Special Events

Special Events

Download Convergence Registration Book

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Friday, July 12, 2024

Saturday, July 13, 2024

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Cancellations

Special Interest Meetings & Gatherings

For more information about Special Events and Meetings call (678) 730-0010 or email HGA@WeaveSpinDye.org.