Convergence 2008

This blog entry WAS to be about the exciting Tapestry events at Convergence 2008 in Tampa, but last week, the day after I loaded all my Tampa photos onto my laptop computer and deleted them from my camera, tragedy struck. Apparently my brand new hard drive had “gone bad,” along with all the files and programs I had loaded onto it…….you can see some photos at Works in Progress, July 5.

So here’s my brief, picture-less description:

I was not registered for the conference, because there were more than enough tapestry activities to keep me busy. I got to gallery sit for an entire afternoon at the American Tapestry Biennial 7, which looked great in the Scarfone-Hartley Gallery at the University of Tampa. While sitting, I visited with various tapestry weavers who came by, including many of the ATB7 artists who traveled from afar.

On Friday night, during the Gallery Crawl, we held a reception at ATB7 and introduced the artists in attendance. I also enjoyed Woven Gems, Small Expressions, and the various Convergence exhibits.

ATA programs included the Waterfront Gathering, a No-Host Dinner in a glass room overlooking the harbor, and on Saturday, “Reinventing Landscape: Two Perspectives,” with slide lectures by Mary Zicafoose and Joan Baxter, and a Digi-Slam at the end. Very inspiring, and lots of great opportunities to meet new friends, and visit with old ones.

After Convergence, many people moved on to Eckerd College for ATA’s 3 day Educational Retreat, “Channeling Your Muse,” with Mary Zicafoose and Joan Baxter.

Shopping in the vendors hall was a blast. I didn’t buy much, but had fun visiting all the booths and trying out some looms. I did treat myself to some very very thin mohair and silk blend yarn (thread is more apt) from HABU so that I can weave a very very thin black or gray line that will be slightly fuzzy. YUM!

There were other tapestry exhibits that looked great, but I didn’t have time (or a car) to drive to St. Petersburg or Sarasota. The next Convergence will be 2010, so start making your plans now!