The purpose of the October 2027 BC Society of Tapestry Artists (BCStars) Conference, "Living Stories in Fibre", is to provide an opportunity for tapestry weavers from the many uniquely local approaches, and from the many corners of the Province of BC, to come together and share. Weaving tapestry can be an isolated activity and so coming together periodically is something that seems a bridge to that alone activity.

The Conference will be centered at the Cowichan Community Center in Duncan on Vancouver Island, in conjunction with an October 2027 to January 2028 memorial exhibition at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery of the life work of Linda Wallace, a local to Vancouver Island weaver who inspired many to pursue tapestry weaving. Volunteers are working to create additional opportunities for additional exhibits in and near Duncan. Also, weaving demonstrations are being imagined at the Cowichan Art Gallery throughout the run of the exhibition, so from October 2027 - early January 2028.

October 2027 BCStars Conference guest speakers and workshop leaders will be engaged by the end of 2026. It is expected that a marketplace will be part-days for two to three of the Conference days.

It is expected that elements of the Conference will be mixed-mode, to enable weavers from away to participate virtually.

One of the Conference sessions will be a moderated panel discussion, to look at aspects of the conference theme: "Living Stories in Fibre". The format will be each panelist sharing a story, the moderator highlighting elements, the panelists engaging each other in an intra-panelist discussion, and then questions from the audience. A previous BCStars symposium panel discussion became part of a post-symposium publication, and something similar may occur with the October 2027 BCStars Conference.

The current team of volunteers is reaching out to see who might have an interest to be involved. Thus far, Ixchel Suarez, a prominent Montreal-based tapestry artist and master weaver active in national contemporary textile circles, will teach a 3-day workshop and Elizabeth Buckely, a renowned tapestry weaver and instructor will be involved, including with a memorial lecture, sharing her story about Linda Wallace.

It is anticipated that the Conference schedule will be published on this Web hub in February 2027. Please keep tuned!

Sponsors are being sought to be a part of the BCStars October 2027 multi-day Duncan, BC conference, Living Stories in Fibre. In particular, sponsorships of $400 from sellers to be a part of the 'Marketplace' on two half-days of the conference; sponsors to contribute to the conference registration package; and sponsors to donate conference hosted receptions and guest presenters' accommodation and meals. As of September 2026, BCStars thanks the following for their sponsorships: Cowichan Public Art Gallery, Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, and Pedal and Paddle near Maple Bay! B&B.

Please contact chair@tapestrybc.ca for more details.

Thank you for your interest,
BCStars Directors, Barbara Heller, Anthea Mallinson, Linda Porte, Judy Harcus, Yolanda Olivotto, Jennifer Braun

Using this form, tapestry artists send their interest to be a part of the October 2027 BCStars Conference: