If your summer travel plans include driving through or near Grand Forks B.C. , here's something you shouldn't miss. In honour of the International Year of Natural Fibre, the Boundary Spinners and Weavers Guild, Joybilee Farm and the Courthouse Museum have put their efforts together and created a textile show called The Thread of Our Heritage, Toil and a Peaceful Life, which reflects the local area's Doukhobor textile history since 1899 when they first immigrated to Canada from Russia to escape religious persecution.
These are textiles that have never been displayed before. I'm sure they have been lovingly preserved and protected in people's homes all these years. And guess what? You are actually allowed to touch them. The show includes spinning and weaving of all types of textiles, clothing, rugs, etc., using wool and flax and hemp (which they grew themselves).
Christine Dalziel of Greenwood B.C. has written a wonderful article in the The Bulletin (the newsletter for the Guild of Canadian Weavers), Volume 52 No.2, explaining this show, its content and historical significance. Check it out! Here's a quote from Christine's article:
"The show at the courthouse museum includes a natural fiber learning centre, a hemp display, as well as Doukhobor textiles and tools for fiber preparation, spinning, and finishing. A floor loom is set up in the area with a warp for a 'rag rug' style peace banner. The public is invited to help us weave a Peace Banner which will become part of the Grand Forks Art Gallery's permanent collection. The Peace Banner will be unfurled from the loom on International Peace Day, September 21st and will be displayed in local public buildings."
The public can view this show from March 7th to Labour Day, 2009.
Hours are:Tuesday to Friday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Saturday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is by donation
Grand Forks Art Gallery and Heritage Centre
524 Central Ave
Grand Forks B.C. Phone: (250) 442-2211
It might be an idea for us to get together, set aside a day sometime this summer, and see the show. We could carpool, leave super early in the morning, drive to Grand Forks (I think it probably takes around three hours from my house), have a wonderful lunch, see the show, and drive home!!
Sounds like fun, eh? Anybody game?
jg