PRESENTATION on 4/16/26 for – 100 Women Strong
Author: Anna Halligan
We humans are surrounded by textiles from cradle to grave. Until around 200 years ago all textiles were made by hand – fibers grown, threads spun, fabrics woven, knit, stitched, quilted, or sewn— usually by women in their homes for their families, occasionally for friends or community, and when times were hard, for sale.
It’s because of those anonymous, mostly women, that we at the Pacific Textile Arts keep that tradition alive despite the fact that we don’t have to in these times. We do it for the love of making things by hand. We do it to keep the thread attached. To build community. We are an anomaly, and we are unapologetic about it.
Let me ask a question. How many of you have ever experimented with the textile arts? Maybe you made a baby blanket, possibly a pot holder or if any of you grew up in the 80s (like me) one of those twisted friendship bracelets? Was it a gift? I want you to think about that for a second. Think about how you felt during the process of creating this gift, and even better the sensation of joy after it was given away. And if you haven’t experimented with the textile arts, maybe you have been on the receiving end, and were curious how your gift was made and if you have the skills to make one too?
My name is Anna and I volunteer as the Classes Coordinator at Pacific Textile Arts. and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to be considered for this award, not only for the obvious reason that any non-profit can benefit from extra cash, but because of the opportunity that tonight brings to share more about what we do with each of you. Because as textile artists, sharing is what we do.
We started around 1993 when a group of people (mostly women) affiliated with the Mendocino Coast Handweaver’s Guild saw local support for the fiber arts programs waning at both the local Art Center and what was the College of the Redwoods. Under the leadership of our founders, Jackie Wollenberg and Lollie Jacobsen, this group of dreamers and doers seized the opportunity to buy a condemned, turn of the 20th Century Victorian on Alger Street in Fort Bragg.
In 3 months, they raised the funding necessary to buy the building. The money came from private individuals, usually in amounts of $1,000 or less. Through the dedication of our founders, donors (for whom we are eternally grateful), and volunteers we have maintained the campus and have watched it grow to include a classroom, a gallery, a tapestry studio, and our library (which includes over 4,500 textile related books).
And during this time, we have stayed true to our mission to teach, support, and share the fiber arts. We are entirely volunteer led (meaning no paid staff) and offer affordable classes in weaving, spinning, dyeing, papermaking, stitching, basketry, and quilting (to name a few).
Our front room Gallery features monthly exhibits of ethnic and historic textiles, as well as the work of local artists and our members near and far. Our Textile Study Collection (rumored to be the second largest to the DeYoung) has examples from around the world as well from our local artists.
We pride ourselves on being welcoming to anyone interested in fiber arts. You can visit the gallery on a Friday or Saturday afternoon, receive our newsletter, take a class, or even volunteer!
Just like the sewing circles of yore, our classes and programs intend to build technique, strengthen social bonds, and inspire creativity and personal growth. We have a Dare to Repair program this year, focused on upcycling clothing. A partnership with the Guest House Museum where members demonstrate rug weaving on a historic finish loom. And we support other free programs like our open studio that occurs twice a month, where you can find the space you need to work on any project or the spinning group that meets every Friday where no experience is necessary to join) and local wool and other fibers are spun into yarn.
Whether you spin, weave, or sew there is an outlet for you and at PTArts you’ll find a community of caring, supportive, and inspiring individuals that will help you learn along the way. You may even find you feel better for it, because fiber arts have been shown to boost mood and reduce stress.
Every group invited here tonight is undeniably worthy of this award, and will put your donation to good use. For us, we are looking to the future. Our intention is to invest in our campus (remember that condemned Victorian on Alger St.), so that we can continue to share these artforms with future generations and preserve the traditions of the past. This award will support one of our much-needed campus improvements this year. If what we have told you tonight piques your interest: come visit, check our website, or give us a call. Help us sustain the tradition of women supporting community through the fiber arts today.