Community Outreach
HGB is committed to promoting the fiber arts and sharing our expertise with our community. Each year, members demonstrate traditional and contemporary fiber art skills to historical, art, and school groups across the region. This service is free of charge to the community.
If you would like to schedule a demonstration for your organization, please contact our Outreach Chair.
Upcoming Activities
We have several outreach requests for demonstrations coming up. Please contact Sue Hintz-Siegrist to sign up for any of these activities. Your talent and skills are greatly appreciated!
Also, if you are participating in any of our demonstrations, please feel free to take photos and send them to Sue. Let's show people what HGB Community Outreach is doing!
Fiber Fun, Education, and Lambs in the Classroom
- who: carders and spinners
- where: The Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies
- when: Friday, May 7th at 12 noon until 1:15 pm
- Their first grade classes are knitting every Friday afternoon, and they would like us to show them where yarn comes from. Cathy Bickell has graciously offered to bring a lamb or two and show the animal part of the process, so this should be a very fun day!
Scandinanvian Mid-Summer Festival
- who: fiber artists
- where: Estes Park at Bond Park
- when: Saturday, June 26th, and Sunday, June 27th from 10 am to 5 pm
- This event's sponsors said our volunteers were a real hit last year, and they hoped we would come again. They have expanded their tent for demonstrations this year. Any of the fiber arts are welcome, especially Scandinavian techniques. This festival is 2 days of fun, arts and food - a great family outing!
Crafts and Trades of Olden Days
- who: basket makers
- where: The Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont
- when: Sunday, May 16th, from 10 am to 4 pm
- Tom McMichen, the Cultural History Interpretive Coordinator for the Boulder Parks and Open Space is coordinating this event. If you are interested in offering your services, please contact him directly at 303 776-8848.
Recent Outreach Activities
Thank You Outreach Volunteers! We had two great outreach opportunities since the first of the year. Our member volunteers came out, and a good time was had by all.
On Saturday, January 16th, Pat Martinek, Jane Haddock, Gena Simpson-Li, Cynthia Case and Stephanie Flynn-Sokolov did demos at the Western Stock Show. Pat describes their memorable experience. " The funnest part for several of us was the rabbit. Thanks to Gena's weakness for spinning angora fiber, and the generosity of Debe Bell of Six Bells Ranch and her rabbit exhibit, we borrowed a grey French angora rabbit in need of a plucking. That delightful rabbit sat patiently on our laps for hours as we plucked then spun the hair right off her back. The kids and their parents were amazed at how we were able to do all that, the kids loved to pet her and they all delighted in the tiny samples of fresh yarn they carried away in their hands."
On Thursday, February 11th, Buff Palm, Julia Bottom, Mary Balzer, Jill Grahm, Elizabeth Robinson, Stephanie Flynn-Sokolov, Linda Farrelly, Kayla Moonwatcher and Sue Hintz-Siegrist spent a good part of the day at From Our Lands to Your Hands Expo at the Fairgrounds. This event was sponsored in part by the Agricultural Conservation District of Boulder and Longmont, and was designed to teach kids how agriculture affects their lives. We had 4th and 5th graders weaving on 4 looms and spinning on 3 wheels, watching Linda knit, and Mary make her wool coil baskets. We had lots of comments like "you have the most fun booth", and "this is a really cool machine!" referring to the table loom. One student was so excited about the looms that he took pictures so he could show his mom what he wanted to get. We all had a great day thanks to our wonderful volunteers!
Yearly Events
HGB provides community outreach services throughout the year. Some of the on-going events include:
- sponsorship of Handloom Weaving show and the Handspun Yarn Show at the Boulder County Fair each August in Longmont
- several days of demonstrations at the Boulder County Fair
- demonstrations during our annual sale each November
- weekly knitting and crocheting classes for inmates at the Boulder County Jail
- demonstrations for venues as requested