Guild Committees - Events
The Guild hosts three events per year as part of Ohio Mart, and each event is run by a committee and assisted by additional volunteers who work shifts during the show.
Children’s Corner
The Children’s Corner Committee exposes children to needlework by hosting a tent at Ohio Mart at which children can learn to needlepoint on simple but fun plastic-canvas projects.
2024: Penny Thompson and Barbara Shearer, co-chairs
This is a great committee because you get to help children learn a new (or possibly familiar) technique. Their enthusiasm is wonderful to behold, and you are right there to help encourage that feeling as well as their stitching skills!
Tasks:
Obtain the supplies needed for making the kits.
Coordinate a time for members to help prepare kits, typically during the July meeting.
Facilitate the kit-making session and store the completed kits until October.
Solicit and schedule Guild members to volunteer for shifts during Saturday and Sunday of Ohio Mart.
During Ohio Mart:
Bring the completed kits and coordinate the tent setup on Wednesday prior to the opening of Ohio Mart on Thursday.
Support the volunteers in working with the children.
Pack up the remaining items on Sunday and store for the following year.
Stitchers’ Fair
The Stitchers’ Fair Committee is responsible for the acceptance and redistribution of donated needlework items. Profits from sales support the Guild Education Fund which pays the teaching expenses for classes held by the Guild. Committee activities generally run from April to October.
2024: Leslie Snowball (chair), Carla Waggoner, Coleen Casey, Elizabeth Specht, Helen McEvoy-Freese, Jody Ball, Louise Giffels, Sue Fassoles
This is a great committee because you get to see the donated items as they come in and then help them find a new owner!
Tasks:
Accept donations of needlework items from members and the public throughout the year.
Sort and price the donations; identify especially high-value items for potential sale online or for a special offering at a Members’ Only meeting.
Hold a Members’ Only Sale in August.
During Ohio Mart:
Stock and display the merchandise in the Stitchers’ Fair tent.
Assist customers with selections.
Work as a cashier, if needed.
Tidy the remaining inventory as items sell.
Interact with Treasurer to deposit proceeds.
Pack up remaining items at end of Ohio Mart.
Stitchery Showcase
The Stitchery Showcase Committee is responsible for planning and running the bi-annual show that occurs in October during Ohio Mart.
2025: Linda Norton-Smith & Margaret Minns, co-chairs
This is a great committee because you get to see all the amazing entries as they come in. Also, with assistance from Guild members, create a spectacular exhibit that is a tribute to needle arts!
Tasks:
Select Committee Chairs for multiple roles that include Publicity and Advertising, Entries, Display, Hospitality, Printing and Mailing, Judging, Hostesses, Conservation Booth, Fundraiser Tickets, Guild Booth, and Patron Donations.
Solicit Guild members to stitch items to sell at the Guild Booth and to support the Conservation Fundraising efforts.
Coordinate setup days with Stan Hywet and submit a floor plan.
Solicit and schedule volunteers to work during the show.
During Ohio Mart:
Receive show entries and coordinate the judging process.
Work with Stan Hywet staff to have the quilts hung.
Set up the needlework exhibit on panels and tables.
Greet visitors and answer questions throughout the show.
Coordinate People’s Choice voting and announce winners.
At the end of the show, return entries and take down the exhibit.
Textile Arts & Artisan Show
The Textile Arts and Artisan Show Committee is responsible for planning and running the bi-annual show that occurs in October during Ohio Mart. The committee arranges for area groups and guilds to demonstrate and display their skills and techniques and coordinates the logistics for show setup and execution.
2024 Show Chair: Kathy Olex
This is a great committee because you get to meet all our wonderful exhibitors and see their work first hand. In addition, you get to meet so many of our visitors and hear their comments on the show. Most of the visitors say they had no idea people were still practicing these skills!
Tasks:
Select Committee Chairs.
Contact groups from past shows and new groups that might be interested in demonstrating.
Send contracts to participating groups.
Coordinate set-up days with Stan Hywet and submit a floor plan.
Coordinate details with the Ohio Mart Committee (tents, announcements, signs).
Solicit and schedule volunteers to work during the show.
During Ohio Mart:
Help groups set up their displays.
Greet visitors and answer questions about the Guild.
Help groups pack up their displays and put Guild items back in storage at the end of the show.
