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Palm Springs Weaver Bob Strong

Day trip to AGSEM
Bob Strong
Museum Volunteer Weaver Patricia Pollard: Bob is a weaver living in Palm Springs. He is a member of two weaving and spinning guilds. Inland Empire Handweavers Guild of Riverside and San Bernardino counties with approximately 75 members. “Desert Weavers and Spinners” guild draws 20 from the Coachella Valley. Before his trip, Bob had never seen a Jacquard loom or weavers meeting every week and actually weaving. Guild meetings are usually talking about weaving.

Weavers at AGSEM
Bob Strong
I’d heard that there were a lot of looms to see at the AGSEM and decided to take a day trip over from Palm Springs. Once I arrived at AGSEM the new weavers building was pointed out to me. I was amazed at the size of the building. It’s huge! I walked over and at first was disappointed to see that it was unfinished.

There were a lot of people working there on their hands and knees filling nail holes in the floor, but no looms in sight. It turned out that this was a group of the Museum Weavers volunteering their labor to help get the building finished. The looms were in another building where a few were set up and weavers were working on the rag rugs that they sell to support their building fund. Most of the looms were in storage in this building.

I’d never seen so many, there are probably about 50. There is even a huge Jacquard loom that will really be very interesting to see in action. After talking to the weavers, I was amazed at the scope of their project. The huge building, the number and different kinds of looms, the ongoing rag rug weaving, the offer of weaving lessons for the public was unique. This is a fascinating place. I’m sure once it’s up and running it will be an exciting destination for weavers all over Southern California, and way beyond. I know I’ll be back.