The plans are made and we are looking forward to connect with weavers once again from the willow community. Willow Gathering 2024 is scheduled for October 22nd - October 25th, at Sievers Fiber Art School, located on Washington Island, Wisconsin.
This willow retreat is a time to be creative, practice skills and work on projects that you have been longing to find time for. With no organized class time or teachers, this is weaving time for all participants, whether you are a student or teacher. Bring along baskets, books, photos, anything that will spark ideas for your weaving time. Participants will need to provide their own materials to weave (willow and/or bark) and personal tools to use during our time together. As part of the Willow Gathering 2024, we, as a group, will be harvesting the “Walters Willow Patch” on the school’s grounds. The willow will be available for use at the retreat (no charge), or to take home for the price of $5/pound. All monies will go toward Sievers special funds for studio needs and/or Scholarship funds.
We have reserved the beautiful Walter and Tomson Studios at Sievers. During our time in the studios, group participants will have access to the kitchen in the Walter Studio for their use if needed. The kitchen has an oven, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and electric kettle, with limited kitchen utensils. Check out Sievers Fiber Art School website.
Arrangements for travel, lodging and all meals are the responsibility of the participants. There are many options for lodging and food on Washington Island. Information is available on these two websites:
Destination Door County and Experience Washington Island.
This year Sievers will be offering dorm space in the Tomson Studio for 5 people with a shared kitchen and bathroom spaces. See Registration form for more information.
Travel to Washington Island is a beautiful drive through Door County with galleries, restaurants, wineries and amazing views along the way. At the “end of the road”, you will find the Washington Island Ferry Line that you will drive or walk on, for the final part of the trip. There is something transforming about boarding the ferry boat, and leaving the main land behind – a leaving and a moving forward. Magical! For information on ferry cost and schedule, check out the Washington Island Ferry Schedule.
Siever's Store & Office
Siever's Walter Studio
Siever's Tomson Hall Studio
General Information
Willow Gathering 2024 Cost is $185.00
($20.00 registration fee non-refundable, plus a $165.00 retreat fee non-refundable if you cancel and your space is not filled.)
Event size - 24 participants maximum
Registration is open now!
All registrations received before or postmarked by April 6th will be included in the drawing for the 24 spaces available. Registrations received after that date will be put on a Wait List if all spaces are filled. Those on the Wait List will be notified if a space opens up due to a cancellation.
Confirmation will be sent after April 27th
Our Schedule
October 22 –
9:00-9:30am - Gather at Sievers Studios for welcome and organize for the day's willow harvest. This day will be spent harvesting, stripping and sorting the willow from Walter's Willow Patch. Willow cuttings made in the evening.
October 23 –
Open Weave (Studio spaces are open 24 hours for unlimited weaving.)
October 24 –
Open Weave At 5:00pm we will gather together for a social hour with beverages and snacks and Sharing Circle at the Sophie Studio. This will be a time to share with the group your own or another's basket creation, a great new tool, a book or basket experiences. We would love to have you participate in this!
October 25 –
Open Weave Wrap up weaving, clean spaces and goodbyes by 5:00 pm.