***CORRECTION NOTE:

Hi all — Kim here with a quick correction to this month’s newsletter.

In the caption above the working image of the missing weaving, I accidentally wrote “this is an example of an evil design” when it should have read “this is an example of an evil eye design.”

The evil eye is a very common motif found across many cultures and traditions, and of course we did not intend to call anyone’s design evil. The editing process over here is often just me stepping away for an hour, coming back with fresh eyes, and reading through one more time — and clearly, this one slipped through.

Thank you for understanding, and thank you again for helping us keep an eye out for this student’s weaving. As of today, we still have not received any new information about it, so we remain grateful for any details or photos that might help us locate it.

• Kim Zitzow

  Director, EVFAC

August 2026

August Group Happenings

(It’s been a busy season — we’re a little late this month!)

✨ Sunday August 23rd - 1pm-4pm The Crochet Club! Bring your yarn and hooks!

At EVFAC…

2nd Annual Summer Camp Showcase, Sidewalk Sale & Open House!!!

Our youth summer camp concluded its third year with our strongest sessions yet. Many campers returned for their third year and brought friends along with them, and we were also able to make space for new campers to join in.

This year, we definitely pushed the limits of what our youth program can hold, and we went out with a bang on Saturday, August 1st, with our Summer Camp Showcase, Sidewalk Sale & Open House. We’re excited to keep building this event into an annual tradition, but this year we’re learning from some growing pains. As our programs expand, we know we need to take a step back, assess how we’re operating, and strengthen the systems that support our students, families, volunteers, and staff. This is the first time we’ve had to bring this kind of news to the newsletter, but we feel this is the best place to get the word out widely and transparently…

*URGENT note about our Summer Camp Showcase & youth artwork*

As campers attended the Showcase, they were permitted to take their artwork home when they left. We had a double-labeling system in place, along with packaging ready to mail pieces back to families who were unable to attend. However, by the end of the event, one student’s weaving was not where it was expected to be and was not returned to its maker—a 13-year-old who had put many hours of focused, creative time on the piece and was part of the Math Amigos cohort, our partners for two camp sessions.

The rigid heddle tapestry is very distinct and was last seen at the end of the tables where the student weavings were displayed. It is approximately 10 inches wide by 14 inches long. The design features an “evil eye” centered on a white background, framed by symmetrical bands of blue, black, and white stripes.

Despite searching through every possible pile, bin, storage area, and room—and following up with parents by email—we have not been able to locate the tapestry. Given the amount of searching and follow-up that has already taken place, we are very concerned and are asking anyone who may have seen the weaving, picked it up by mistake, or have any information about where it may be, to please contact us as soon as possible (just reply to this email).

If you remember seeing it on display (see image below) and happened to take a photo, we would be very grateful if you would send it our way. The weaving was made in the first session of camp, which is also when a series of photos were taken that were later corrupted; so far, we have not been able to recover them. Because of this, we do not currently have a finished image of the weaving—only a working image (above). We are taking this seriously and deeply appreciate any information that could help us return the weaving to the student.

We’ve been in direct communication with the family, who have been very gracious, and we are working on solutions to make this right for the student.

While we continue to hope the weaving can be returned, we are also using this moment to strengthen how we operate. Thanks to capacity-building funds made available through our participation in the Craft Catalyst Initiative, we are now able to take concrete steps to create better systems, clearer procedures and policies for the center and its programs, and more defined roles for staff and volunteers.

As our programs grow, we want to make sure our internal systems grow with them, so that students, families, staff, and volunteers all have the clarity and support they need.

Our youth artists deserve to feel safe, respected, and confident that both their creative work and their experience in camp are handled with care. The artwork students make here matters deeply to us, and so does the environment in which they make it. We are committed to learning from this experience, strengthening our systems, and doing better moving forward.

Youth Fiber Studio

We’d again like to extend our gratitude to our July Session Sponsors for their generosity and support.

Their contributions help make this work possible and directly support meaningful creative opportunities for local youth.

Dion’s Pizza

New Mexico Children’s Foundation

Del Norte Credit Union

Century Bank

Wild Leven Bakery

From the SHOP

EVFAC currently has eight fresh new colors available in our shop and online! These colors are recreated from some of Clasgen's most popular colorways and are ready for your next weaving project! All are 4-ply blanket weight yarns made of 100% wool at a substantial 850 yards per pound.

Currently available are: Black, Natural, Oatmeal, Burnt Orange, Dark Rust, Deep Purple, Dusty Gold, Forest Green, Indigo, and Turquoise. We anticipate receiving more (and different!) colors with our next order; to stay updated make sure you're on our mailing list!

Click here to order our Crescent 4-Ply Yarns or here to order our Crescent 2-Ply Woolen Warp 

To make a bulk purchase please email Debbie at info@evfac.org (limited to our warp and black, natural and oatmeal yarns at this time).

Around Town

FALL FIBER FIESTA

Important Update: NEW DATES THIS YEAR

***For the first time, Fall Fiber Fiesta will take place on a different weekend than we are used to. Please mark your calendars and double-check the new dates below.***

The 14th Annual Fall Fiber Fiesta will be held this year on the first weekend of December:

Friday, Saturday & Sunday — December 4th-6th

Please make note of this date change!

We did not anticipate this new date, but are taking it in stride. This is a Juried show, so please make sure your application is in by the due date. All up to date and current information about Fall Fiber Fiesta can be found on our website events page here:

www.evfac.com/events  

ARTIST APPLICATIONS:

• OPEN September 1st

• CLOSE September 15th

We appreciate all the ways Fall Fiber Fiesta is a true community event through your participation, your time, your creativity, and your continued support. We’re grateful for the many people who have helped shape and sustain this event over the last decade - and then some!

We’d love to have you volunteer with us this year. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please email Pando:

education@evfac.org