…in building community.
It was a busy week last week but the energy invested paid off. Parrsboro has a new Fibre Guild. Our Kick Off event on Saturday was well attended. Interested members of the community started to arrive early! We were still putting the finishing touches on our displays when the first greetings were exchanged.
Soon a group of women who brought some handwork along gathered around a large table and introductions aside, the chatter flowed freely, possibilities of where the guild might take us were discussed, old acquaintances reconnected and new friendships forged.
The rug hooking group already meets every Monday and pre-Covid there were as many as 20 hookers coming together each week. Now that’s impressive for such a small town! Here is Barb Himmelman who set up the display and fielded many of the questions regarding her and her group’s art practice:
Krista Levy Odlin is a very talented artist. She works from Art Lab studios right here in Parrsboro and we were so fortunate to have her on the team as one of our organizing members. Krista has lived here most of her life and knows so many of the other well-established fiber enthusiasts in the area.
Beth Poirier is a very skillful weaver who moved to Parrsboro with her son Tom in April 2020. Together they operate their weaving studio and participate in numerous pop-up art shows since their arrival. Beth specializes in functional weavings like tea towels, place mats, table runners and more. Her work is much in demand through her Etsy Store. She and Tom will be offering a weaving course at Art Lab later this month.
The play mat in the background is a large quilt created by local quilter Janet Maclaren.
Here is Krista Klassen, aka Wandering Mermaid, another member of our organizing group. Krista moved to Parrsboro from the Yukon via “The Valley” (the Annapolis Valley for those who are not from Nova Scotia) in April 2020. Krista is an interior designer by trade and an avid fibre artist in her spare time when she is not too busy taking care of her young family or work at the Fundy Geological Museum.
And then there was yours truly: I tried to bring a selection of samples and finished projects, including several quilts. I spent the day treadling the spinning wheel creating yarn using some of the luscious fibre I purchased at Gwen’s Handmade Creations during the yarn shop hop in July with friends. It felt good to rekindle my love for spinning. It freed me up to engage with visitors and prospective new guild members alike.
The Einstein quilt behind me is from a newcomer to Parrsboro, Caroline Keogh. Caroline arrived in town early this summer and we met at the opening of my Art Lab exhibition. The Einstein quilt was a past prize winner at the Kitchener-Waterloo Quilt Guild.
Interest was keen and we welcomed about 30 people into the diverse display. Our efforts paid off. The first official meeting to discuss needs and objectives takes place on Wednesday, October 20th from 1 – 3 pm at the Fundy Geological Museum. Our group is looking forward to sharing and exchanging skills and knowledge. If you know of anyone in our area who might be interested in joining, please share this post or send them to our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/parrsborofibreguild
Many thanks!
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 