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crafts Tribute to a Master Weaver by Gaye Hansen When Gertrude Griffin received her first loom as a gift from her husband, John, he could not have known that this "simple loom for making ties and scarves" would eventually be supplemented by several more. Within twenty years, Gertrude had accumulated some two dozen looms, all housed under the same roof! She had always taught Home Economics, so had had some exposure to domestic crafts, but it wasn't until she received that first loom (and some encouragement from I neighbour) that she became serious about weaving. She joined the Greater Vancouver Weavers and Spinners Guild (GVWSG) in the early 1940s. She was a steadfast member of the organization, becoming president in 1955 and ultimately receiving an honorary lifetime membership for her dedication and service to the Guild. Gertrude had a great love for learning. She taught herself sufficient weaving and spinning skills to succeed in obtaining her Master Weaver's certificate. As no such program was available in Canada at the time, she did this through the Boston Guild. It was a difficult and lengthy process, and to spare others the frustration, she set up an equivalent program in Canada through the Guild of Canadian Weavers (GCW). Becoming a Master Weaver is no mean feat--the Canadian program has produced no more than two dozen Master Weavers in its 45 years of existence! Her reputation and talents took her to the Banff School of Fine Arts. It was here that she received a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1959. A photograph was taken of the two of them; it will be on display at the exhibit. Gertrude's quest for knowledge and her eagerness to share it was a large part of her lifestyle. She served as examiner for the Master Weaver's program for many years, arranged workshops, attended conferences whenever possible and developed many long-lasting relationships with other conference attenders. She was affiliated with several groups--the G V W S G , the GCW, the Handweaver's Guild of America, the University Women's Club, the Niddy Noddy's (a West Vancouverbased group of spinners and nature dyers), and the Southern California Handweaver's Guild. She taught in community centres, within the local Guild and extensively throughout the province. Gertrude loved to travel; her excursions took her to Washington, Oregon, Cahfornia, Boston and New Zealand. old friend!" "Oh!" the customs officer replied, "is that all it is? Take it!" This wonderful piece of artisanry is now on display in the new children's wing of the West Van library. Mrs. Griffin was as generous with her time as she was with her knowledge. Over the years she judged many PNE weaving entries and pieces in fairs throughout the Fraser Valley. Her home was open to individuals seeking private instruction and also, from time to time, to small groups so that they might experiment with the various threading styles she had set up on her looms. Her knowledge of the structure of weaving was vast and thorough. On being asked about a particular technique, Gertrude would casually call out the threading draft or unit threadings, tie-up and treadling, and offer additional pointers about appropriate yams or practical tips specific to the technique at hand. But always in her eagerness to share and give, Gertrude would have a humourous story. Often these stories would be told at her own expense, and she'd always be among those laughing. It was always a joy to be in her company, what with her great sense of humour and cheery outlook on life. Her optimism was infectious and inspirational. Gertrude's long-time friend Marion Rettie says that "of all the people I have known, Gertrude was the one that kept me inspired." During a visit to California, Gertrude was the lucky winner of a large quilt, the design of which was a cross-section of a large old home. The detailing is exquisite--lace curtains, braided rugs, embroidered pictures, and a kitten curled up on a bed. She had trouble clearing the quilt through customs until, in her exasperation, she blurted out, "Well! It's a fine thing when a bunch of ladies can't make a quilt for their At the last GVWSG sale in the fall of 1991, Gertrude relayed an old weaving legend. If a weaver has warp left on her loom when she dies, she will have the opportunity to return to finish her project. It must be better on the other side, because Gertrude, who dearly loved her craft, seems to have refused the promised opportunity. Gaye Hansen first met Gertrude Griffin at a workshop in Cranbrook, and then invited her to serve as examiner in Gaye'i successful bid to become a Master Weave Gaye lives in North Vancouver and is an active member of the GVWSG. From June 22 to 27, the Silk Purse will be hosting a tribute to Gertrude Griffin, a Master Weaver from West Vancouver who passed away last summer. Organized by colleague and friend Joan Milligan, with the assistance of Cathy Barr and Gaye Hansen, the multi-media exhibit will consist of samples of her work, her spinning wheel, one of her many looms, work sheets that she developed for her students, photographs, and a copy of her Weaver's Cookbook, which features timesaving recipes for those who prefer weaving to cooking! video Video Documents Youth Employment Issues by Irwin Oosttndie When people consider their options for employment, they look for positions which will satisfy their financial needs for rent or mortgage payments, food, savings, and entertainment, and a job that does not adversely affect their health, has suitable hours and a positive work environment. For many young people on the job market, however, such considerations are luxuries. Youth Art Works, a local arts organization currently celebrating its fifth year, is sponsoring a video production tackling just these issues. Using video technology and conventional 8mm film, young people's on-the-job realities are being documented. Thefinalproduct will be a 30-minute, fastpaced video called Wage Slaves, which will be premiered at this year's Mayworks Festival of Working Life & Arts. Using video to document young people's daily realities is not new to Youth Art Works, which has operated autonomous youth arts centres in North Vancouver and offered various art-making workshops. This latest video will feature humourous clips from the mass media news programs (humourous in their denial that such issues keenly affect young people) and visit the job sites of urban youth. Screeching around comers and whizzing between cars, the viewer will experience the harsh circumstances bicycle couriers face every day. S/he will also be led into the upperand middle-class homes where domestic workers earn minimum wage and don't get paid for the inevitable overtime. These are the lives of young Filipina domestic workers who earn a living in Canada doing the work that most Canadians refuse to do. It is important when making video for young people to consider what of them watch in our contemporary information age. 24-hour Much Music, with its standard coarseness and rapid edits, is the main source of cultural nourishment. Youth Art Works brings social issues to young people's attention, by subverting corporate strategies and introducing a realistic culture that young people can identify with. Wage Slaves features the award-winning short film by SFU student Lisa Doyle, entitled Have You Done the Napkin Tops? This is a hilarious poetic rap about her job in the BC Ferries cafeterias. Other short pieces will focus on bicycle couriers, corporate TV news, fast-food McJobs, domestic workers, and more. Plans are under way to have Wage Slaves aired on Cable 4 (Shaw Cable) during the month of May. The show will makes up the first instalment of a new Youth Art television program currently being produced by Youth Art Works. For more information about the premiere of Wage Slaves, call the Arts Hotline at 988-ARTS. Irwin Oostindie b coordinating the Youth Arts TV Project, is a student at Emily Carr College of Art & Design, and is president of the North Vancouver Community Arts Council. Art» A c t e ,, M.y/Jun* 1993 11