SEQUIM — The 11th annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival spins off Saturday in Sequim with free educational demonstrations, hands-on engagement for all ages and a fiber arts market.
Fiber art refers to fine art consisting of natural or synthetic fiber and other components, such as fabric or yarn. Viewers focus on the materials used and the individual artist’s expertise while considering the significance of each piece — prioritizing aesthetic value over utility.
Activities are planned for both Saturday and Sunday at the Sequim Museum and Arts Center, 175 W. Cedar St., and at the city of Sequim Civic Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St.
“Join us for this interactive fiber arts event connecting to the community with activities like a museum exhibition, workshops, educational demonstrations of fiber processes, hands-on projects for children and adults, Fiber Arts Market of local artists’ work and fiber supplies, and information about local fiber activities, groups, businesses and instructional resources,” said Renne Emiko Brock, an event organizer, in a news release.
“The Fiber Arts Festival is an opportunity to experience positive inclusion, creative expression, and the economic enterprise of art. Always encouraging genuine growth and artistic integrity, most activities are free to the public and all forms of fiber art are welcome.”
The Fiber Arts Extravaganza, which includes the fiber arts market, will take place at the Civic Center Plaza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The market includes apparel, household goods and the supplies needed to create fiber works.
“Demonstrations vary from spinning yarn, felting, knitting, hooking, weaving and hand stitching,” Brock said.
“Learn more about local artists and fiber related groups to join our growing and supportive community.
“Bring your friends and family to discover the many forms of fiber arts and make some new friends too.”
Fiber artists also will be set up at the Sequim Farmers Market at Washington Street and Sequim Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
The exhibition, Material Measurement — Magnitude, Meaning and Makers, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, with the artists returning to the same location for a reception from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.
During the reception, “you can meet the exhibiting artists from near and far who may reveal the stories behind their creative and splendid work,” Brock said.
“These fiber artists also enjoy hearing your fiber tales. You might inspire a collaborative project for next year.”
The exhibition “is about vindicating the volume and importance of all fiber in its many forms while reflecting on textiles, tales and talent through enlightenment, abundance, accumulation and perception,” Brock said.
“Conspicuous consumption or considerate consequences, creators convey cloth’s transformation from meaningless mass into something that matters.”
Fiber Artists included in the exhibition are Brock, Lynn Baritelle, Helga Barton, Beverly Biegle, Catherine Bilyard, Debra Danielson, Lauralee DeLuca, Liisa Fagerlund, Marijane Figg, MarySue French, Debi Glass, Janet Green, Pamela Hastings, Leslie Hoex, Margie Kepner, Susan Kroll, Danielle Lawrence, Mary Liebsch, Connie Lobo, Donna McMillen, Sherry Nagel, Sue Nylander, Pat Oden, Noreen O’Neill, Betty Oppenheimer, Ilse Osier, Monica Quarto, Diane Ross, Sandy Schlechter, Alison Sell, Gloria Skovronsky, Stephanie Swenson, Marla Varner, Judy Warner, Diane Williams, Christie Wise and Beth Witters.
For more information, visit http://fiberartsfestival.org/.
This piece by Judy Warner, titled “Ghost Trees,” will be on display this weekend during the 11th annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival in Sequim — Judy Warner.
This piece by Connie Lobo, titled “Night Watcher,” will be on display this weekend during the 11th annual North Olympic Fiber Arts Festival in Sequim — Connie Lobo.
