At the Library 2/20/24

At the Library
by LeAnn Kunz

Fiber Arts February has been a barrel of fun this year, from workshops to exhibits to presentations! I have felt so much appreciation from the community for the activities we have offered this month. And the fun is not over! This week we are hosting a Quilt Crawl on Thursday, February 22 from 4 to7 pm, Friday, February 23 from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, February 24 from 9 am to 1 pm. Participants can proceed from the United Presbyterian Church (209 E. Main Street) to Art Domestique (118 S. Iowa Avenue) to the Washington Public Library (115 W. Washington Street) to view a wide variety of quilts on display.

At the UP Church, we have 17 community members sharing 24 quilts! We are so thankful for their willingness to show off their own and others handiwork. Artists Wendy Read and Mary Kay Hymes are exhibiting their work at Art Domestique. Wendy Read said of her pieces “while I use many fiber art techniques, there is usually extensive thread-painting in my work, where the thread becomes my paint, and the sewing machine my paintbrush.” Mary Kay Hymes described her show as “an exciting and eclectic exhibition of quilted art pieces and paintings inspired by what is around me. From music and travel to paintings and more, the inspiration for my work often results in quirky and humorous fiber art pieces that often connect with others.” Finally, the Washington Public Library has the work of artist Erik Jon Olson to present. Olson uses recycled plastic waste which is sewn together to make “quilts” which are often referred to as wall sculptures. Initially, after retiring, Olson lent his expertise to a friend’s business that repurposed single-use plastic waste into functional items. He embraced the challenge to utilize his design skills to create art from the discarded remnants of the manufacturing process. From this, Olson has earned recognition through numerous awards, local and national exhibitions, and art sales. Olson enjoys merging his creative abilities with his commitment to sustainability, all through the transformation of plastic waste.

We would love to see lots of folks enjoying the Quilt Crawl this week. Pick up a map at the WPL and your ticket to win a quilt! Tickets can be presented at each location to be punched and then turned into the library for the drawing. Our community is fortunate to have such beautiful handiwork to view and enjoy. Take advantage of it!