By: Jessica Griggs ~Guest Writer~

Greater Cincinnati (WGGC) was founded in an effort to encourage interest in hand weaving.

The WGGC is currently showing an exhibit in the house called Madame President. The exhibition features a number of fiber creations from 17 of the guild’s presidents, past and present.

Since its beginning, the WGGC has grown to include programs and education about a variety of different fiber processes and techniques such as felting, spinning, knitting and dyeing.

The guild promotes education and proficiency in the fiber arts by offering learning experiences like lectures, workshops and exhibitions.

The guild also has its own house on Gray Road in Winton Place. “It’s like our own little club house,” President Ginny Bolte said.

An assortment of different types of fiber art works are displayed in the “Madame President” exhibition including tapestry, weaves and quilts.

In addition to the gallery in which the exhibits are presented, the guild’s house contains a library that is comprised of different books and periodicals about all weaving types and other fiber arts that is available to all of the guild’s members.

A room dedicated solely to dyeing fabrics and rooms filled with various looms and spinning wheels can also be found on the second level of the guild’s house.

In accordance with the guild’s original founding purpose, members of the guild seek to provide education about the fiber arts by demonstrating weaving and spinning at Sharon Woods Village, the Cincinnati Museum Center and Cincinnati Nature Center, and to local school children. Members of the guild vary from beginner to professional with some of the members competing in art shows on the national level.

The WGCC offers an insight into the interesting and creative world of fiber arts. Through an emphasis on educating the public, the weavers guild strives to maintain interest in the fiber arts in the Cincinnati area. To learn more about the center or to schedule a tour, visit weaversguildcincinnati.org.