'Fascination With Fibers' Opening Reception

Fascination with Fibers, a collaborative exhibit of Michigan-based fiber artists begins Friday, April 1 with a opening reception from 7-9 p.m. at Huron Valley Council for the Arts, 205 W. Livingston Road in Highland.

Light refreshments are included at this free event, which also gives an opportunity to meet some of the artists.

Featured fiber art is from artists near and far; some of the artists represent nearby communities such as Brighton, Waterford, Milford, White Lake, Byron and Ann Arbor.

"Fascination with Fibers focuses on the breadth of fiber arts where fabric, yarn, natural and synthetic fibers are used for artistic expression,” said Cheri Skomra, a fiber artist from Highland who co-chairs the event. “The event is an opportunity to support local artists that demonstrate innovative approaches to traditional craft forms and strive to perfect their craft.''

Mary Bajcz, another fiber artist and event co-chair from Milford, added, "Fascination with Fibers concentrates on pieces that can be hung on the wall and are made by techniques ranging from shibori dyeing to quilting and weaving."

She stated, "The show will be complemented by the Black Sheep Weavers' Spring Fling Sale April 16-17.  That show will concentrate on fiber work from the practical to the highly decorative, for both body and home.

“I love the serendipity in quilt making,” Bajcz said of her work. “I usually start with the germ of an idea, a pile of fabric, and then start cutting and sewing with the hope that something good will happen. It usually does.... Fibers touch our lives everyday.  We wear them, dry ourselves with them, sleep in them, and make art with them!"

The work featured in the exhibit was juried by local artists’ review of photographs and digital images artists submitted of their work, said Leah Ohmer, HVCA executive director.

She said the resulting show includes items from 29 talented artists on display as part of the exhibition and sale, including but not limited to, art quilts, fiber sculpture, weaving, and basketry, “all crafted in distinctive and sometimes surprising materials.

“The HVCA has many incredible fiber artists that are regularly a part of events that the council presents," Ohmer added. "We are excited to have a dedicated exhibition that focuses on this wonderful medium and the exceptional artists that create these works."

Hours for the Spring Fling sale take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 16 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 17.

Gallery hours for the free Fascination with Fibers exhibit and sale, which runs through April 30, are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.  

For more information, call HVCA at 248-889-8660.