WINTER AT MAINE FIBERARTS
During February-April, Maine Fiberarts is open for limited hours. We are usually here Wednesday-Friday from 11-3, but it’s best to make an appointment. We are pausing from exhibits in order to take stock of 2021 and to prepare for new projects ahead.
We had a huge outpouring of support for our new project “The Story of Fiber Art in Maine Over the Past Half Century” raising $11,025 in just ten days. Thank you!! Funds allowed us to partially match our NEA grant and to proceed with this important project.
Read on below about how you can take part. And we hope you do! Your knowledge, memories and stories about your life in fiber are the heart and soul of the narrative we will create.
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2021 In Review (in case you missed it)
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Early in 2021, we published our second book: LEARNING FIBER ART, a guide to 100 Maine teaching artists and places, with a special listing of art residencies you can apply for. People are using this Guide to discover workshops and teachers and to learn new skills. Copies are still available! See the free online PDF or purchase your copy for only $15 here.
During 2021, we visited Belfast, Midcoast and Western Maine to profile interesting artists, shops and farms for www.mainefiberfolio.com
Below: Vintage calendars and needlework-in-progress are just two of the artifacts on view at the Waldoboro Historical Society, along with many hooked rugs. Also, the studio of Barbara Burns in Harpswell. Stories on Fiber Folio. Hand-dyed yarn and knitting above by Linda Perry.
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We reopened our doors with two knockout exhibits: “Fiber in Form” and “Fabulous Fabric” and were happy to welcome back hundreds of old friends and new visitors once again; everyone respectively masked. And we loved the artwork!
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We traveled to Rangeley and to surrounding towns in search of fiber, and visited studios in search of new work for our shows and for our Online Art Shop. We inspired visitors’ own creativity through artwork, referrals, inspirational books, and conversations.
Below: The Rangeley Inn; a sample of books donated by Katharine Cobey; and Arlene Morris in the studio of Mary Allen Chaisson gathering quilts.
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We helped master braider, Nancy Young, design and present a slideshow about her life’s work in rug braiding and offered a slide talk about Maine artists to members of the Surface Design Association.
Below: Smelt shacks lined up along the frozen Cathance River in Bowdoinham for a little ice fishing. A coiled strip of Nancy Young's wool braiding that she'll use to extend a rug. "Coiled Basket with Antler" by Cheryl Goguen in our gallery over the holidays; and one of six Komekuburo bags on our Online Art Shop now. So lovely! Visit www.mainefiberarts.org then view the page about the Online Art Shop, and download a price list you can print out.
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We added a new story to Fiber Folio about the remarkable “Birds in Flight” paper sculptures of Hugh Verrier after visiting his studio in Eustis. We also continue to photograph work for artists.
Below: One of Hugh Verrier's sculpted paper birds and a hand-dyed scarf by Kathy Goddu. All photos by Christine Macchi.
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During these few end of winter months, as we say goodbye with gratitude for the sweet and lovely Red Studio, we are working on learning and managing our new member database and accounting system and looking for an additional off site space to set up a photo studio in order to keep our gallery space exclusively for exhibits. We are always looking for new artists, new shepherds, and new work; volunteers to sit our gallery; or writers and workerbees to help tell The Story of Fiber Art.
As we enter into our 22nd year, our commitment to excellence in fiber remains strong, and we thank you for the part you play.
As mentioned earlier, we value your input as we develop the story of Maine fiber during the last 50 years. If you have thoughts, recommendations, stories to tell or anything else on this subject that you would like to send to us, we have a page with a brief recap of the “Story Project” that will tell you more. When you have time, please visit this link and let us hear your thoughts.
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