On display in the second-floor atrium at Open Book is a collection of hand towels created by members of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, a non-profit organization dedicated to "preserving and advancing the arts of weaving, spinning and dyeing." Showcasing the talents of thirty-one weavers, more than fifty towels are displayed, arranged by color as if drying on a clothesline. The Weavers Guild moved into the third floor of Open Book in early 2023.

The towels range from beginner projects to those made using advanced techniques. The weavers used a variety of looms, including rigid heddle, multi-shaft floor looms and computer-assisted looms. Most dish towels seen here are made from cotton, with some weavers using cottolin (a blend of cotton and linen), linen or hemp.

Participants include members of the local weaving and spinning community, classroom instructors, and current WGM staff. Nearly all makers live in Minnesota. The weaver's comments evidence the careful planning that went into each project's design and execution. The members are united in their efforts to create something beautiful and useful.

The dish towels honored here include the simple kitchen cloth, future gifts, towels made in the guild's weaving classes, and opportunities for color blending and design exploration. While the end result is a humble dish towel–meant to be used–we hope you find beauty in this everyday object of use. 

Free to visit and on view during building hours.