Then and Now
The Spindle Tree
Presented by The Spindle Tree
The Spindle Tree’s installation in the Lightbox is a “Looking Forward | Looking Back” over thirty years of creating beautiful fibre handicrafts, exhibiting craftsmanship and skills rarely seen. Classics, as well as contemporary design will be on display.
The Spindle Tree’s installation in the Lightbox is a “Looking Forward | Looking Back” over thirty years of creating beautiful fibre handicrafts, exhibiting craftsmanship and skills rarely seen.
Classics, as well as contemporary design will be on display.
Can you remember 35 years ago?
The 1st of June 1989 to be precise.
That’s the day The Spindle Tree opened its doors for the first time.
Way back when the members of the Guild wanted an outlet for their works, mainly weaving, so a group of Guild friends got together, discussing the possibility of a ‘shop’. So many questions to answer : where to open, costs, legality, membership, a co-op?
With the dedicated help of the Guild members a plan was formed. Meetings held. Mrs Sheila Beattie was by agreement voted Chair. Luckily her son Ian was a lawyer and was a great benefit in setting up the Co-Operative and how to frame the Constitution.
Today The Spindle Tree is still run on the same lines and conditions. Over the years many things have changed, but not the core objectives or values.
Tasmanian made. All natural fibres.
Where to place out ‘shop’? Not an easy task. Finally it was agreed the Salamanca Arts Centre would be ideal. The Spindle Tree was originally located where the main stairs are now. Eighteen months later The Spindle Tree moved to it’s present location in Space 009; it has been ‘home’ for over thirty years.