Every year for the last couple of years, I have resolved to learn a new craft (this is the type of new year's resolution that I can be assured of keeping.)
In 2006, I'm thinking of learning how to weave. So, I'm doing some research with the help of a couple of friends, and I come across a bunch of fabulous local places, including the Weaver's Guild of Minnesota, the textile center, a couple of cool shops offering classes such as Creative Fibers. There's even a national guild for handweaving. Who knew?
A common theme amongst the mission statements of all these organizations is passing down traditional crafts to future generations. Often, because we buy clothes at Old Navy and get our socks from Target (guilty on both counts), we forget that not very long ago (less than 100 years, for most of us), your clothing was handmade. Grandma or mom knitted and darned the family socks. Not long before then, some artisan was hard at work hand-weaving the fabrics the women of the common classes (and tailors where money afforded) worked with to create garments for the entire population. These arts of necessity are not only time-honored traditions but are threads woven into all cultures (we all need clothing to stay warm/dry/clean, depending on your exact pinpoint on the globe) throughout time.
Cool, I think. To think that I am helping to preserve crafts that women have been passing down to their children and grandchildren for probably hundreds of generations...
Then I start to look at the staff at these organizations, the names and pictures of those on advisory boards and membership lists, and I have this creeping sense of dread, because I begin to realize that I could very well be the only person under 30 who has ever seriously considered bothering wht the Textile Center.
Why? The No-Coast craft show earlier this month was a rip-roaring success, and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single "old-school" crafter in the house.
We've got Bust's Girl Wide Web... Crafty Planet... and this, from a recent University Chronicle article:
"No Coast's target audience was anyone looking for a good time. Parker said she doesn't want anyone to feel excluded based on age."The majority of vendors are in their 20s or 30s, but we have a couple of people that are still in high school and some in their 60s," Parker said. "My vision is crafting as a full circle. It's not just about young people or grandmas. I think it's the neatest thing to have a variety of age ranges come together and be excited about the same thing."
OK... so, here's the rub: if all the closet craft-nerds are coming out, baring our knitting needles and weaving looms, why aren't we joining the ranks of those supporting the propagation and generational continuance of our various craft(s)? My mom and grandma taught me to sew. I learned to quilt from an ancient woman named Millie. I have a big, pulsating soft spot for the old passing on their knowledge to the young... and textile arts/general craftiness certainly should be no exception. Except: nearly everyone on staff at these craft guilds are post-retirement age. Since when do we have to be grannies to lead our trades? Take Crafty Planet's example, get out there, do whatcha love, live the craft, learn from the masters (yes, even if they do remind you of Great-Aunt Tilly) and pass it on to other generations.
Alterna-crafters of today, those (to quote a friend) 20-somethings with scenester haircuts: get involved! Why aren't you, the green, hip, vintage-recycling, innovative, trend-creating, future of our art representing at the official organization level?
Come on, crafty sisters and brothers! Seize the momentum of our handiwork's trendiness and make an impact on future generations!
(I admittedly do not belong to any of these organizations, but on my own admonishments will now be looking into memberships... if you craft, do your art the biggest favor you can and please look into supporting an organization of your choosing through membership, attending (or teaching!) classes, volunteering or any other number of forms of involvement.)
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