Spend the weekend—or spend a day—with fiber artists from around the world at MAFA 2021
MAFA 2021 is not only about the weekend of classes and shopping in the Marketplace. Other highlights will include:
- MAFA 2021 Schedule
- Welcome Session with the Conference Committee
- Keynote Address by Jane Dunnewold
- “Escape” Fiber Arts Exhibit
- Fashion Exhibit and Show
- Kitchen Towel Exchange
- Lunchtime and Late Afternoon Lectures
- Fiber Arts Demonstrations and Author Talks
- Yoga For Crafters
- Morning Coffee and Evening Drop-ins
- Trivia Night, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
- Closing Ceremony
**NOTE: All events listed above are included in the Conference Pass along with access to the Marketplace vendors and demonstrations. Find the Marketplace demonstrations and virtual vendor booth schedule here.
MAFA 2021 Schedule
| Day | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 24 - All times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). All events are accessed from the Attendee Hub ** Included in Conference Pass |
||
| 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Welcome Session with the Conference Committee | |
| All Day | **Marketplace Open | |
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Thursday Morning Classes | |
| 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m | **Gallery “Opening” for Fashion Show and Exhibit, Fiber Art Exhibit, Towel Exchange Sponsored by" Harmony Weavers Guild, Triangle Weavers Guild, MAFA Associates |
|
| 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Thursday Afternoon Classes | |
| 4:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m. | **Thursday Afternoon Panel Discussion, Topic TBA | |
| 5:45 p.m–6:15 p.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| 7:00 p.m.–9 :00 p.m. | Thursday Evening Classes | |
| 7:00 p.m.–10 :00 p.m. | **Evening Drop-In | |
| Friday, June 25 - All times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). All events are accessed from the Attendee Hub ** Included in Conference Pass |
||
| 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Morning Coffee Drop-in | |
| 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| All Day | **Marketplace Open | |
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Friday Morning Classes | |
| 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m | **Friday Lunchtime Lecture: All About Japanese Temari with Jen Weber Sponsored by Long Thread Media |
|
| 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Friday Afternoon Classes | |
| 4:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m. | **Friday Afternoon Lecture: Effective Use of Materials and Color with Kathrin Weber Sponsored by Handweavers Guild of America |
|
| 5:45 p.m–6:15 p.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| 7:00 p.m.–9 :00 p.m. | Friday Evening Classes | |
| 7:00 p.m.–10 :00 p.m. | **Evening Drop-In | |
| Saturday, June 26 - All times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). All events are accessed from the Attendee Hub ** Included in Conference Pass |
||
| 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Morning Coffee Drop-in | |
| 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| All Day | **Marketplace Open | |
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Saturday Morning Classes | |
| 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m | **Keynote Address: Living in Creative Community with Jane Dunnewold Sponsored by Heddlecraft |
|
| 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Saturday Afternoon Classes | |
| 4:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m. | **Saturday Afternoon Lecture: Hemp Fibers and Textiles with Joan Ruane Sponsored by Handweavers Guild of America |
|
| 5:45 p.m–6:15 p.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| 7:00 p.m.–9 :00 p.m. | Saturday Evening Classes | |
| 7:00 p.m.–10 :00 p.m. | **Evening Drop-In and TRIVIA NIGHT at 7:30 p.m. | |
| Sunday, June 27 - All times Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). All events are accessed from the Attendee Hub ** Included in Conference Pass |
||
| 8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Morning Coffee Drop-in | |
| 9:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m. | **Yoga For Crafters | |
| All Day | **Marketplace Open | |
| 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Sunday Morning Classes | |
| 12:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m | **Sunday Lunchtime Lecture: Spräng: What is it? What can you do with it? with Carol James | |
| 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Sunday Afternoon Classes | |
| 4:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m. | **Closing Ceremony | |
Welcome Session with the Conference Committee
Help us kick off the conference with a brief welcome session. It’s a chance to say hello, meet key members of the conference committee, and ask any questions about accessing your classes, events, and the Marketplace.
Keynote Address with Jane Dunnewold
As events in 2020 proved, a strong creative community supports its members and bears witness to the power of making as a source of sustenance and joy. We’ll spend the keynote session reflecting on individual acts that tap innate creative intelligence, and also celebrate the energy raised by being in relationship with other artists and makers.
“ESCAPE” Fiber Art Exhibit
A virtual fiber art exhibit featuring artwork that is a reflection of the artist’s escape from the chaos of 2020 will be showcased during the MAFA 2021 Conference. The exhibit entitled “Escape” is open to fiber artists working in any fiber medium. Interpretation of the theme may be literal or abstract. Detailed information and the entry form may be found on the Fiber Art Exhibit page.
Fashion Exhibit and Show
As fiber artists, many of us create one-of-a-kind garments and accessories. All MAFA members, conference attendees, and instructors are invited to share a piece in this year’s virtual Fashion Show and Exhibit. Hosted on the MAFA website, the exhibit premieres on the opening day of the conference. The virtual Fashion Show will feature representative works from the Fashion Exhibit. Full details and a link to the entry form can be found on the Fashion Exhibit page.
Kitchen Towel Exchange
The Towel Exchange is on—there is nothing virtual about this event! Weave a kitchen towel, mail it in, and receive a wonderful towel later in the mail. What a fun package to anticipate! Everyone who participates will also submit weaving details, such as yarns used, the pattern source or inspiration, and a weaving draft. All this information, including a photo of each towel, will be compiled into an eBook for the MAFA community. The exchange is open to weavers of all levels working on any type of loom, including rigid heddle. Detailed information on the Towel Exchange page.
Lunchtime, Late Afternoon Lectures, and Exhibit Openings
Each day of the conference we will present lunchtime and late-afternoon lectures on a variety of topics. A highlight on Thursday will be the “opening” of the Fiber Art and Fashion exhibits. Check the 600 level class listings for topics and details.
Yoga For Crafters
No downward dog here! Craftsperson and yoga instructor Gigi Matthews (and MAFA instructor) will lead us through a gentle style of yoga where breathing is the foundation and the movements can be done from a seated position. Gigi will help us relax those Zoom muscles through movements that reduce the effects of prolonged sitting and neck stress, in morning and late-afternoon sessions. Learn more about Gigi on her website. And here’s a teaser video from Gigi:
Morning Coffee & Evening Drop-ins
Morning coffee will be an open, informal gathering time before classes. Grab your favorite cuppa and catch up with old friends and new and check in with Conference volunteers. Evening drop-in will be an open, informal social gathering (favorite beverages encouraged). Test your knowledge of all things fiber and join us Saturday evening evening for Fiber Trivia.
Trivia Night, Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Gather your friends or play solo, and test your fiber trivia knowledge! Host Jen Weber will guide us as we wind our way through twenty fun fiber-y facts, ranging from fairly straight forward to totally twisted and warped! In this action-packed event, each team will score points for correct answers, and the top scoring teams will win great prizes. This event is included with the MAFA Conference Pass, and everyone is welcome to join us and play along as our twenty teams compete to see whose brains contain the most trivial of fiber knowledge. Pick your teammates (and a clever team name) and sign up now! Find the format, rules, and entry form on the Trivia Night page.
Closing Ceremony
After four full days of classes, we hope you won’t be too Zoomed-out to join us for a short closing ceremony featuring announcements of the Viewers’ Choice awards for the Fiber Art and Fashion Exhibits.