The guild was founded in 1953 in Delano by Cora Kyte with six members with the purpose of promoting, encouraging, and sharing handweaving and spinning. By 1955, the guild had grown with members from Springville, Porterville, Bakersfield, Wasco, Buttonwillow, Visalia, Hanford, and Riverdale communities. In 1958, a library was established that is still alive today through periodic additions and donations of books, magazines, and DVDs. Starting 1959, weavers set up looms for the Porterville State Hospital; continuing into the 1990s. Members also donated their time, and yarns to workshops at the local high schools.
Today, the guild is made up of approximately 65 members mostly from Reedley/ Yokuts Valley south to Bakersfield, with some even further than the Central Valley. We continue our purpose through outreach in various communities and events, such as: Handweaver’s Guild of America’s Spinning and Weaving Week, International Ag Expo, Tulare County Museum’s Jamboree, and at our own annual guild show, Harvest of Handwovens each October. We come together to uplift and continue the love of fiber arts through extracurricular meetings and study groups and support each other as artists and people.
Historian’s Note: I am waiting for the guild’s documents from my predecessor, but I wanted to somewhat update our information to reflect the guild of today. This page will be re-worked as I receive more information, thank you for your patience!
