"Living Stories in Fibre" the October 2027 BC Society of Tapestry Artists (BCStars) Conference, will provide an opportunity for tapestry weavers from the many corners of the Province of BC and beyond, to come together and share. Weaving tapestry can be an isolated activity and so coming together periodically and sharing the many uniquely local approaches to weaving can provide a bridge to the larger tapestry community.

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. Linda was a local Vancouver Island artist who inspired many to pursue tapestry weaving. Volunteers are working to create additional opportunities for additional exhibits in and near Duncan during the conference. Also, weaving demonstrations are being imagined at the Cowichan Art Gallery throughout the run of the exhibition (from October 2027 to early January 2028).

Guest speakers and workshop leaders for the 2027 conference will be engaged by the end of 2026. It is expected that a marketplace will be also be part of the Conference days for two to three half-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" Each panelist will share a story and then the moderator will highlight elements. The panelists will engage each other in an intra-panelist discussion, and then take 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 in being involved. Thus far, Ixchel Suarez, a prominent Burlington, Ontario-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. Elizabeth will give a memorial lecture, sharing story about Linda Wallace.

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

Sponsors are being sought to be a part of the BCStars October 2027 multi-day conference, Living Stories in Fibre. There are many ways to participate, such as sponsorships of $400 from vendors 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 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