The Marketplace and Exhibits are open to the public, including for “Shop ’til You Drop” on Friday evening. In addition, you are welcome to attend the Open Studio Tour on Saturday evening to see examples of the work that has been done over the weekend.
See the Useful Information (FAQs) for directions and information about getting to MAFA 2023.
Visit the Marketplace page for details on the vendor list and demos schedule.
Stay-over option for day trippers:
Day trippers not taking classes, and who don’t want to drive home after a day of fiber activities, may register for Friday and/or Saturday night stays until May 25, 2023. Click HERE for costs and more detailed information. No meals are included with this package, but they can be purchased individually at the dining hall. There are also a number of hotels in the area.
Those who can’t attend the full weekend are encouraged to volunteer to help the vendors or to monitor the exhibits during open hours. Can you help?
Volunteer at the 2023 Conference
MAFA 2023 Schedule
A downloadable schedule PDF will be available shortly before the conference.
** Open to the public
| Day | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 22 | |||
| Noon - 6:00 p.m. | Check-in at Registration, Submissions accepted for fashion, art, hat, and towel exhibits, Move in to dorms and classrooms | The Marketplace. 'Ville Courts, Student Memorial Center (SMC) | |
| Noon - 6:00 p.m. | Marketplace Open** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 5:30 p.m - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 7:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Opening Session, Keynote Address, and Fashion Show Supported by Heddlecraft | Reighard Multipurpose Room, SMC | |
| 8:30 p.m. - 10 :00 p.m. | Dessert Reception Supported by Yadkin Valley Fiber Center | The Galley, SMC | |
| Friday, June 23 | |||
| 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Morning Coffee Supported by Frances Irwin Handweavers | West Dorm Lobbies | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 8:15 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. | WARP (Weave a Real Peace) meeting** | Atrium, SMC | |
| 9:00 a.m - 12 noon | Workshops | Classroom buildings, SMC | |
| Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch - Guilds Networking by State | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| Noon - 9:00 p.m. | Marketplace and Exhibits Open** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Workshops | ||
| 5:00 - 5:15 p.m. | Yoga Break Supported by Sunnyside Weavers | Atrium, SMC | |
| 5:15 - 5:30 p.m. | Yoga Break | Atrium, SMC | |
| 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | MAFA Grants Q&A Session** | Atrium, SMC | |
| 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Shop 'til You Drop** - shopping, vendor demos, door prize winners announced | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Fashion Exhibit** Supported by Long Thread Media | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Hands On: The Art of Making Fiber Art Exhibit** Supported by Central Virginia Fiberarts Guild | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Mad Hatter Hats Exhibit** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Kitchen Towel Exhibit** Supported by Long Thread Media | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Free Your Mind Interactive Exhibit** with Theda Sandiford Supported by Touchstone Center for Crafts | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. | Book Signings** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Sheep and Wool in Story and Song** with Martha Owen and Melissa Weaver Dunning Supported by Jockey Hollow Weavers Guild | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 8:45 p.m. | Viewers' Choice awards announced for Exhibits; Tuition Door Prize winners announced** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| Saturday, June 24 | |||
| 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Morning Coffee Supported by Potomac Fiber Arts Guild | West Dorm Lobbies | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | MAFA Representatives Breakfast | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 9:00 a.m - 12 noon | Workshops | ||
| 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Marketplace and Exhibits Open, Vendor Demos** | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| Noon- 1:30 p.m. | Lunch - Birds of a Feather Guilds Networking | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Workshops | ||
| 5:00 p.m. | Kitchen Towel Exchange Sponsored by Long Thread Media | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| 5:00 - 5:15 p.m. | Yoga Break Supported by The Fuzzy Ear | Atrium, SMC | |
| 5:15 - 5:30 p.m. | Yoga Break | Atrium, SMC | |
| 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Open Studio Self-guided Tour ** | Breidenstine, Hash, Luek, McComsey, SMC | |
| 9:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Pick up fashion, art, and hat exhibit entries | The Marketplace, SMC | |
| Sunday, June 25 | |||
| 6:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Morning Coffee Supported by Handweavers of Bucks County | West Dorm Lobbies | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Breakfast | Upper Deck, Gordinier Hall | |
| 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. | Pick up Box Lunches | Lobby, Gordinier Hall | |
| 7:30 a.m - 9:00 a.m. | Early Dorm Checkout | West Village Dorm | |
| 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon | Workshops | ||
| Noon - 2:00 p.m. | Check Out of Dorms & End of Conference | West Village Dorm | |