There's a new kid in town and it could make a difference to the fiber folk in New England.
Over the past year or so, there has been a recurring thread through our conversations regarding teaching and workshops. Specifically, WHERE to hold them. Now, there is a very good WHERE. The Slater Mill, in Pawtucket RI, has refurbished an incredibly beautiful space in their Jencks Education Center. Housed on the second floor (all of the second floor) in a beautifully restored building within the Slater Mill complex, the studio is full of light and history and the sound of the Blackstone River rushing over the falls below.
Sounds interesting, huh? The Community Guild Studio is open for business. Open to dreamers and open to the fiber community. We've been offered a fabulous blank slate. Want a world class teacher to come teach? Dream it. There is space. All day, part day, no problem. There is a kitchen. (Last weekend a dyeing workshop was held there.) There is a co-coordinator. Let her know what you want and she can put it together for you. Or, do it yourself and rent the space. They have spinning wheels and looms, available if you need them. Best of all, they have the enthusiasm that it takes to make this space work. I'm excited.
On January 28th, the first meeting of the Slater Mill Knitting Guild will be held there from 7-9 pm. In February, another new Guild, one that will encompass most any technique used in creating textile projects, including but not limited to spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, quilting, light metals, will meet for the first time. There is a unique opportunity here to create a community from the ground up, the way we want it to be. Let's make this an exciting place, a melting pot for fiber related disciplines.
If you're interested and want to be involved or maybe just lurk awhile, there's a Ravelry group: Slater Mill Guild Studios. Better yet, come and see for yourself.
* photo from the Slater Mill website
9 responses to “The Slater Mill Guild Studios”
Sounds exciting! And a lot closer than Harrisville and some other places I can think of!
Awesome idea! Great use of the space. Truly…. it sounds brilliant. I hope there are a lot of classes there.
This is great! Are you going to be at the guild meeting?
It was featured on an episode of Ghost Hunters last year. It’s haunted.
I really wish I lived close by. I would be thrilled to join that new textile guild. And the facility – beautiful!
I went to the yarn dyeing workshop last weekend and it was absolutely wonderful. I highly recommend their classes and workshops!
Oooooo, sounds wonderful! More than enough reason to drive the 2+ hours.
I am really excited about this. I am going to try to make it to the meeting on the 28th. I might have a conflict with my girlscout troop though.
Looks like a fabulous place! I’ll be lurking. I’m going to a class the 2nd and 3rd weeeknds in Feb in Harrisville, NH and will be in Franklin, MA between. I’d love to go see it while I’m in town!