Meet Suzi Gough

We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzi Gough and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Suzi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Our nonprofit grew from a search for affordable space in metro Atlanta by three established textile organizations, the Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild, the East Cobb Quilters Guild, and the Atlanta Knitting Guild. Meeting at churches, libraries, or in the back rooms of local shops meant constant scheduling uncertainties and inadequate facilities. Instead, we envisioned working together to develop a space that was available 24/7/365 and that had room to spread out and work on projects, great lighting, and an electrical system robust enough to handle multiple sewing machines and irons plugged in at the same time. That initial idea grew into a full-service textile arts center and community as we realized that we’d need multiple income streams (membership, classes, rentals, and fundraising) to afford space and thrive.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my college adventure as a Home Economics major and finished with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering, and my practical, logical side took precedence over my creative, maker side for the next twelve years. Then, I switched gears, learned to weave, and refocused my technical skills to support the various textile organizations I belonged to. I wear many hats today, weaving a little while overseeing SEFAA’s daily operations, coordinating our programming and fundraising, monitoring our finances and membership, and publishing our weekly e-newsletter.

Internet access has been crucial to our success, allowing me to work remotely from middle Georgia, and enabling SEFAA to pivot to online programming during our year-long Covid shutdown.

I’m proud of helping to build SEFAA’s strong and welcoming community of textile artists of all abilities working in disciplines from applique to weaving. Making connections is what excites me – matching a costume designer with a silk painter, finding and supporting emerging fiber artists, and encouraging knitters, weavers, and stitchers to share techniques and ideas.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I don’t live in Atlanta, so I’m not an expert tour guide. But, I’d take my best friend to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum, and Mary Mac’s Tea Room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Linda Fetter believed in SEFAA from our beginning in 2009 and has served the organization in multiple roles over the last fifteen years. She’s a trusted and true friend who is smart, detail-oriented, and always willing to pitch in 110%. She is also a gifted knitter who regularly rescues my knitting projects.

Website: fiberartsalliance.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sefiberarts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SEFiberArtsAlliance

Youtube: https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCI1jkeyjJLiCSSf8bpruMJA