Marketing Tapestry

Part of the purpose of this the Community Threads project was not just about designing and weaving the tapestries. This alone does not make one an artist or craftsperson. Another aspect that participants learned about was what an artist/craftsperson needs to do to promote and market their work. Many artists and craftspersons struggle with this and as guild members discovered, it takes a lot of effort and time. The participants in this project were very successful in engaging the community and the media and the opening reception evidenced their labours in that regard. They can pat themselves on the back for their very successful opening of the Community Threads tapestries in Alliston Ontario. Four different media sources came out to put the opening, the tapestries and their creators in the spotlight. One of them was the local CTV news which aired that same evening. Here is a link to the news clip: http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/tapestry-project-finished-in-alliston-1.1515885. 

The Mayor, Mike MacEachern also showed up for the reception and tweeted about the tapestries and opening. About 50-75 people showed up for the opening. Sandi Nemenyi designed a lovely brochure featuring the tapestries and explaining each one, as well as listing the projects participants. 

Agota Dolinay, Ellan Allas, and Lana Gregorovich at the opening. 

Betty Cerar, president of the Nottawasaga Weavers and Spinners writes: "We've learned so much, and I hope that the tapestries will continue to create interest in the fibre arts in our community, as they will enrich the spaces in which they are displayed.  I'm afraid our work is not at an end as we work with different venues to display the tapestries to a wider audience, and eventually make decisions as to where to hang them.  

Ann Berman with her sister.

Betty goes on to say: "We've had good media coverage.... .  We've had coverage from CTV, the New Tecumseth Times (the article will appear either this Thursday or next Thursday), Sapphire E-Zine attended (new material is usually posted at the beginning of the month, so it should be up within the week), the Alliston Herald's article appeared last Thursday.  SNAP South Simcoe came out and I believe photo coverage will appear in the November issue, out in a few days.  The Briar Crier (monthly publication for the residents of Green Briar) expects to be out on Nov. 1st for photos, but they would likely not appear until December.  I believe we've had some coverage from the local radio station.  We also had coverage from MadHunt on their website.

The project was advertised in In the Hills (print and on-line), Simcoe Tourism Website, Madhunt website, I think on the radio station website (I listed it but am not sure if it was actually posted), in the New Tecumseth Times and the Alliston Herald community events columns.  There will be a brief article by Susan Menzies in the Briar Crier in the upcoming issue, as well as a listing in their community events column, and the South Simcoe Arts Council has given us some coverage in their e-mails, I believe.  Ontario Handweavers and Spinners have promoted this through their e-mails to members, on their website, and unfortunately, they didn't list it in our Guild News in the latest issue.  I made sure to have our report in on time, but for some reason somewhere along the way it was omitted.  However, we will be writing a feature article about the project.  Oh, that will delay my getting up close and personal with fibre again, as I believe I agreed to write it.  Rats!  :-) 

Many people need to be thanked for their contributions to making the Community Threads tapestries a source of civic pride, which has increased the esteem and profile of the guild members. The exhibition is still on until the end of November: Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper Street West, Alliston Ontario.