Calling All Teachers: Submit Your Proposals for the Rocky Mountain Region 2027 Seminar: A Gem of a Weekend

A Gem of Weekend REGION In Person Event 2027

The Rocky Mountain Region (RMR) Embroiderers’ Guild of America, Inc. will hold its 2027 In-Person Event at the Riverside Hotel in Boise, Idaho hosted by the Western Idaho Chapter. The dates will be May 14-16, 2027. We encourage you to submit your most enticing pieces (see NOTE below) for this weekend of stitching fun. We are looking for pieces that will grab the interests of our region members, something a bit out of the ordinary that pushes the envelope. Full and half day classes that explore a technique are perfect for our type of event. NOTE: The Instructor MUST be able to represent and warrant to EGA, with respect to all materials submitted and materials to be distributed to students for the class identified above, either that

1. The material is the instructor’s original creation (EGA definition: “Original”- An original work is one that, from the beginning, is solely the creative product of the stitcher. and does not infringe upon copyright of any other person, OR
2. Some or all the material is the instructor’s adaptation (EGA definition: “Adaptation” – An adaptation is needlework inspired by or based upon a source other than needlework and modified through significant design changes. Source(s) are to be documented. For any material not the instructor’s original creation, the instructor has disclosed to EGA and RMR, through written credits, the source and author of any pre-existing work contained in materials AND the Instructor has procured and grants to EGA and RMR, license to use and distribute the pre-existing work within materials submitted, except for preexisting materials in the public domain. OR
3. The project is the work of someone other than the instructor. The instructor will disclose to EGA and RMR that this is the situation AND through written documentation, provide proof that permission has been granted from the author of the project for the instructor to teach the piece at the event AND the Instructor has procured and grants to EGA and RMR, license to use and distribute the pre-existing work within materials submitted, except for pre-existing materials in the public domain.

The Riverside hotel is nestled next to the Boise River within walking distance from several restaurants and other amenities. Boise is the capital of Idaho, a vibrate city with lots to do and see and yet keeps that small town feel, with several museums, galleries, and walking paths. It also hosts the largest Basque people population next to Spain. Idaho, the “Gem state” has a history of gem and silver mining. The star garnet being the state stone and is very assessable to gem miners, thus the name for our weekend. Our selection committee is looking to have a variety of classes for our fun weekend of learning and exploring “gems’ in embroidery. The Faculty Selection Committee will meet in April 2026. Proposal(s) need to be for one day or half day classes and received no later than March 1, 2026. Please send no more than 5 proposals, one per email. Please, do not send an original piece. We welcome pieces that have been taught before, but not in RMR within the past 6 months. The seminar committee will pay the following:

• Full or half day teaching fee
• Room – RMR will reimburse the cost of one half of the room rate and board for 2 days and nights for a one-day class or 2 half-day classes. If teaching only one ½ day class, reimbursement will be negotiated.
• Economy round-trip air fare or mileage for teachers in the local area.
• Shuttle to and from the airport is provided by the hotel, free of charge.
• Baggage fee for up to 2 suitcases
• Ground transportation from teacher’s home to closest airport
• Car parking fee

The Rocky Mountain Region will NOT pay for audio visual equipment other than normal One flip chart and normal extension cords and power strips will be provided upon request. Please mark your calendar with these important dates:

• March 15, 2026 Proposals must be emailed and received by
• April 2026 Selection committee meets. Please try to be available by phone or email, in case of questions.
• May 2026 Selection letters will be emailed.
• May 13-16, 2027 Rocky Mountain Region Gem of a Weekend event

The proposal for each submitted piece should include:

• A high-quality color picture (.jpg) of each proposed piece.
• The ICNA Universal Proposal Sheet.
• Goals of the class from the student’s perspective.
• A list of supplies that students must bring with them.
• Prerequisite skills you feel the student should have before the class is taken.
• Description of kit, supplies or equipment provided by the instructor.
• Kit price within 10-15% of final cost.
• Your teaching fee
• A short summary of your past teaching history.

Proposals must be sent by email. If you have any questions or issues, please contact me. We are looking forward to your proposals and the opportunity to present your special project(s) to our region members. Melanie Smith, Dean of Faculty 208 608-0101 (no calls after 8 PM Mountain time, please) Gemofaweekend@gmail.com