FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2026
City Hall to Host 2nd Annual “All Was Done by Hand” Textile Arts Exhibit
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble and the Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, along with Woodstock Weavers and the Arts Society of Kingston, will host “All Was Done by Hand,” a textile showcase event at City Hall on Saturday, March 28, 2026, from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
“All Was Done by Hand” will feature live demonstrations of weaving, spinning, quilting, lace making, rug hooking, basketry and more, and will feature broadsides showcasing the history and significance of in-home textile production. A “Fleece to Shawl” presentation will illustrate the transformation of raw wool into a woven shawl through carding, spinning, and weaving, and various hands-on activities for all ages. Spinning bees, used as protest in American history, and quilting bees will be represented. A handwoven hand-dyed American flag will be completed during the event, with the stars forming “a new constellation” as described in the American Flag Act of 1777.
Mayor Noble said, “This unique event offers a rare opportunity to explore the history of craftsmanship and the labor of textile arts from early American history up to its lasting influence today. This event and the presenters will highlight the vital role of textile work through live demonstrations, historical insights, and cultural significance.”
Presenters will include representatives from regional textile guilds: Woodstock Weavers, Elmendorph Hand Spinners, Wiltwyck Quilters Group, DCSWGA Rug Hooking Group, Ulster Hand Spinners, the New England Lace Group, Dutchess Heritage Quilters, Wallkill Valley Fiber Arts Guild, and independent artisans.
Organized by textile artisan Carol Wood and the Woodstock Weavers with support from the Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association and sponsorship from the Arts Society of Kingston, the event, which is a part of the yearlong 250 Years of America’s Voices, Stories and Histories programming, is free and open to the public.
“The history of home textile production is complex and fascinating,” said Carol Wood of Woodstock Weavers. “By continuing to weave or spin or quilt by hand, we honor those who taught us and the generations before us. We look forward to sharing these interests.”
“This event powerfully connects women’s history to living practice,” said Amy Poux, Executive Director of the Arts Society of Kingston. “The skills on view here—spinning, weaving, quilting—are acts of care, resistance, and creativity that have endured for generations, and it’s deeply meaningful to celebrate them publicly during Women’s History Month.”
Special thanks to event co-sponsors Arts Society of Kingston, Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association, Ulster Savings Bank, Woodstock Weavers, and to the participants who are donating their time.
To support this event, please visit https://square.link/u/zgIBQOZs
All Was Done by Hand is made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
For more information about this and other 250 Years of America’s Voices, Stories and Histories programs, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/250yearsofamericasvoices.
About Woodstock Weavers
Founded in 1972, Woodstock Weavers is a regional guild fostering interest in handweaving and textile arts through workshops, demonstrations, and other activities. Their work will be featured in an exhibit “On Their Shoulders” at the Old Dutch Church, Kingston, opening in September 2026. www.woodstockweavers.org
About Arts Society of Kingston
The Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) inspires, educates, and engages our community through accessible and diverse artistic experiences. We are dedicated to fostering creativity, supporting artists at every stage of their journey, and enhancing cultural vitality and community connection with exhibitions, performances, workshops, and events that showcased the unifying power of the arts. Visit us to learn more about our monthly arts exhibitions, daily workshops, and events at www.askforarts.org