Local and overseas craft people attracted to Lincoln College event

Press, 10 May 1979, Page 12

Local and overseas craft people attracted to Lincoln College event

Two years preparation has gone into the 1979 annual National Woolcrafts Festival, which will be held at Lincoln College next week. The three-day workshop/seminar will be opened by the principal of the College (Professor J. D. Stewart) on Sunday evening (May 13) and will run f rom Monday to Wednesday (May 14-16).

This is the tenth festival that has been held by the New Zealand Spinning, Weaving and Woolcrafts Society, and the first that has been held in Christchurch. It promises to provide, yet again, a perfect opportunity for an exchange of ideas, and comparision of techniques and products, among members. The convenor of the organising committee in Christchurch is Mrs Reida MacDougall, and the secretary, Mrs Heather Pugh. Mrs MacDougall feels that the international flavour of the festival will make it “really exciting and very stimulating.” Resident guests Of the 600 woolcraft people who will be in residence at Lincoln College during the festival, over 60 will be from overseas. A group of enthusiasts from the West Coast of America will include several editorial workers from the craft magazine “Spindle, Shuttle and Dye Pot,” and the 18 Australian visitors will be from such far-flung states as Western Australia.

Besides the capacity quota of resident participants, the festival will be enjoyed by other society members who will attend during the day. Allowance has been made for interested members of the public to enjoy some of the activities, and they can pay their $2 fee and obtain information at the Recreation -Centre, Lincoln College. All venues will be signposted. •’ full programme oflect-

ures and classes has been arranged for resident participants at the festival. Films and bus tours will offer additional interest. Competitions For all visitors to the festival, there will be the opportunity to see some very lively competition work. For most of Monday, teams of six from all over New Zealand will compete for the Silver Spinning Wheel Trophy, turning a raw fleece into a garment during the course of one day. The prize money of $3OO will be provided by the Bank of New South Wales. On Tuesday, teams of four will compete in the Kiwicraft section, producing a garment from a fleece, without the aid of a spinning-wheel. The prize for this competition will also be $3OO. The Christchurch committee feel that the highlight of the woolcraft festival activities will be the Fashion Parade on Tuesday evening, at the Lincoln College Recreation Centre. The festival will conclude with a wine-and-cheese evening on Wednesday. Trade section Throughout the duration of the festival, there will be a varied static display

in Gillespie Hall. Society members, guest exhibitors and commercial organisations will combine to present all ramifications of the wool story. The display will include garments, wall-hangings, floor and knee-rugs, ski-wear, tapestry, runners, shawls, pram covers and crochet

exhibitions will concentrate on such thins as spinning-wheels, looms, and other items of woolcraft equipment There will also be representative displays from groups with related interests, such as the Canterbury Herb Society. On the mezzanine floor

uniqueness of Canterbury as a sheep-growing area. Light refreshments will be available to visitors to the festival.

Canterbury area representatives comprising the festival organising committee are: Carol Anderson, Ellen Anderson, Julia Anderson, Mary Andrews, Shirley Brown, Noeline Bull, Linda Cox, Ainuri Dimond, Jean Ferguson, Valerie Gifford. Ronelle Hyde, Jo.v Johnston, Helen L.atter. Gwyneth Loomes, Fran MacFarlane, Ailsa Morrow, Marie Murray, Mavis Robertson, D. Rowe, Barbara Rutherford, Margaret Smith. Elaine Soanes, Ethel Spittle, Margaret Stove, Pat Tapper. Wyn Thomas.