Our History

In 1947 a weaver named Jane Barnes put a notice in the newspaper asking all weavers interested in forming a guild to meet and discuss it. In October, twenty persons signed up as charter members of the newly formed Santa Barbara Handweavers’ Guild. Barnes served as its first president.

The early Guild met in members’ homes, published a newsletter with woven samples in each issue and enforced strict rules about attendance. Over the years, the Guild has become both more relaxed and more eclectic. We changed our name to Santa Barbara Fiber Arts Guild to better represent the members’ interests. We are also affiliated with the Handweavers Guild of America (HGA).

Our Mission Today

We preserve and promote fiber arts by educating the public through demonstrations, lectures, workshops, exhibits, publications, and other educational activities.

We are no longer only weavers. We are also spinners, dyers, basket makers, felt makers, paper makers, lacers, silk painters, knitters, crocheters, needleworkers, braiders, book artists, and beyond.  Our membership is now more than 150 artists, and we welcome you to join us!