IntersectIons
A Home for the Brazos Spinners and Weavers Guild story and Photos By JAMIE O’TOOLE
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in a small shopping strip on Texas Avenue, Intersections: Textile Learning Center houses a unique group of artists who share the love for all things fiber. Whether weaving, spinning, felting, knitting, or
any combination of fiber-related crafts, the doors to Intersections are open to anyone interested in the craft. Intersections opened officially in August 2013 but the Brazos Spinners and Weavers Guild, founded by Maggie Mezera, has been around since 1976. While no longer in Texas, Maggie makes it a point to visit and
check-in with the guild, which still includes original members from the guild’s inception. Having seen the organization grow and change through the years, all the members are pleased to see the guild finally have a home. “We can finally really show people what we do,” says Guild President Helen Dewolf, a 10-year member with a passion for anything related to fiber. “The guild house also gives us the chance to talk to others that share our love. It is always just such a positive vibe.” Since the opening of Intersections, the guild has grown by nearly a third. The current 35 members range in age from as young as 10 to as wise as 87 and include both men and women. “It is a place for like-minded people to appreciate fibers and textiles and fiber arts and to provide instruction and education,” says Dewolf. “And it’s our home.” Open every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, Intersections serves as a gathering place for
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guild members as well as a place to showcase and sell their work, and educate others about the craft. The guild currently offer several classes a week and host a weekly Fiber Folks Fun Day each Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Fiber Fun Days welcomes everyone to join in the fellowship of the guild, free of charge. Each Saturday focuses on a different topic, including knitting, spinning, and weaving among others. Guild members are always availabe to answer questions and assist people with projects. “The big thing is to expose people in the area to something that’s absolutely essential to their everyday life and they have no idea how it’s made,” explains
Dewolf. “Spinning and weaving are part of one of the oldest forms of expression.” Aside from the time spent at Intersections, the guild makes a point to get out into the community as much as possible. Demonstrations by guild members can be seen at First Friday in Downtown Bryan and at Barrington Farm. With the motto “So much fiber, not enough time”, the guild hopes that its new home will continue to encourage membership and enable Intersections to be opened more frequently. For more information on the Brazos Valley Spinners and Weavers Guild or Intersections Learning Center, visit www. weavebrazos.org. i