Keynote Speaker: Philis Alvic – Women of the Appalachian Weaving Centers
Philis Alvic is an artist, weaver, and writer. She has exhibited her complex woven wall textiles in over 300 juried and invitational exhibitions. She has written Weavers of the Southern Highlands (University Press of Kentucky, 2003), Crafts of Armenia (USAID/IESC Armenia, 2003) and over 100 magazine articles. As a short-term consultant for crafts development and marketing, she has worked on projects in thirteen different countries. She is one of the founding members of Complex Weavers, the Kentucky Craft History and Education Association and is a former board member of Weave A Real Peace.
Ingrid Boesel – a Tribute by Mary-Anne Dalkowski and Bob Keates
Ingrid Boesel (1943-2018) was a long-time member of Complex Weavers, contributing to the Newsletter, Journal and study groups from 1991 until she stopped weaving 20 years later. From when she first started weaving in 1967, Ingrid was interested in structure and colour. She graduated to her first 8-shaft loom in 1983, then a 16-shaft AVL in 1986, adding the Compu-Dobby a short while later. Then followed a 24-shaft AVL, a 24-shaft Louet Magic dobby and, finally, a Louet Megado with 32 shafts. Ingrid earned her OHS Master Weaver certificate in 1992, after three years of formal classes and an in-depth study into Colour Effects in Tied Weaves. Her weaving pursuits inspired her husband Bob Keates to create Fiberworks PCW software. She continued to explore new techniques, and the features she wanted found their way into successive releases of the PCW software. These included explorations into advancing twills, network drafting, 3D illusions, imagery in tied weaves and four-colour double weave. She also developed an interest in Kumihimo, becoming a member of the CW Study Group and incorporating beads into her braids. Ingrid shared her passion and wealth of knowledge as a weaving teacher and gave workshops throughout North America and in the UK until she was no longer able to weave.