First Friday: Celebrating Fiber ARTS

FIBER ARTS is a broad category of creative practices that focus on using natural or synthetic fibers to construct or embellish textiles and other materials. Techniques in fiber arts include weaving, knitting, crocheting, quilting, felting, embroidery, macramé, lace-making, spinning, and dyeing. Artists working in this medium often explore both functional and decorative forms, from handmade garments and tapestries to sculptural installations and mixed-media works. Cultures all over the world have developed rich and distinctive fiber arts traditions — from Japanese shibori dyeing and Peruvian backstrap weaving to West African strip weaving, Eastern European lacework, and Native American basketry. These practices reflect deep connections to community, history, identity, and place, blending traditional skills with contemporary design and personal expression.
Hanging n the main gallery will be an array of fiber artworks made by local artists. In the black box theater space, there will be over 15 local artists providing demonstrations and displays and even a hands on project for the community to contribute to!! We will also have live performances that gives us an opportunity to see the blend of the art forms… of fiber arts and performing arts. The unique textiles of Mexico, Scotland, and Ireland will be highlighted

Joining us will be:
🌺The Hook and Needle / Yarn Bomb
🌼Pam Bode / Weaver
🌸Portland Handweavers Guild
🌺Vancouver Handspinners
🌼Valerie Bledsoe / Art quilts
🌸Eclectic Needlers
🌺Nancy Erckenbrack / Full Felt Designs
🌼Patty White / PNW Felts
🌸Juneko Martinson / Needle Felting
🌺Jacque Davis / Mixed Media
🌼Sharon Svec / Basketry
🌸Pauline Zietz / Bobbin lace
🌺Jane Wolfe / Wearables

On our gallery stage we will have:
🌺Valerie Bledsoe – Evolution of a Fiber Artist
🌺 Elizabeth Palmer – Evolution of a Weaver

In the black box theater space we will see:
Cottage Dance 🌺
Vancouver Ballet Folklorico 🌺
Fort Vancouver Pipe Band 🌺