Fiber Arts Festival
Saturday, April 12th 2008
Fiber Arts Festival to showcase Area Attractions
In celebration of textile-based arts and traditional arts of Appalachia, The Betsey Mills Club is sponsoring the third Mid-Ohio Valley Fiber Arts Festival. The Festival started as an idea to showcase quilting and has expanded to feature the best of the fiber and textile arts: quilting, weaving, spinning, and more. This daylong event will take place April 12 and is truly a Valley-wide experience. Festival attractions are located throughout Marietta as well as the Historic Harmar District and Williamstown.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Fiber Arts Festival will showcase four area attractions and area businesses during the event. Along with presentations and exhibits at The Castle, The Fearing House, The Children's Toy and Doll Museum, and The Campus Martius Museum will host an array of fiber artists and displays. The Betsey Mills Club will hold their activities in the Junior Fair Building. The Woolen Willow will also have displays and specials.
The Festival will run Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 AM -- 6:00 PM. Festival goers will be able to purchase tickets at each site. The program grants use of the courtesy shuttle. Parking will be available at the Washington County Fairgrounds.
At 418 Fourth Street, The Castle will feature Teresa Thomas demonstrating the almost lost art of Hair wreaths and hair jewelry. Also on exhibit will be selected hair items from the Ohio Historical Society collection in Columbus.
A woman’s hair has always been her pride and joy. During the Victorian times, a woman’s hair was sometimes her greatest gift. She might give a lock to a suitor. She might save her long strands in a “hair receiver” for use in decorative hair art. At the time of her death, her locks might have been woven into “Mourning Jewelry” to be kept in remembrance by her loved ones.
The pieces on display will vary from jewelry to wreaths of hair. The history and mythology that belong to this artform will also be shared.
Lynne Shuman will be demonstrating tatting -- which is handmade lace fashioned by looping and knotting a single strand of heavy-duty thread. Other displays include coverlets, Battenberg linens, crewel work, lace, smocking, embroidery, quilts, and tours of this unique Gothic-revival home.
The Children's Toy and Doll Museum, located at 206 Gilman Ave in the Historic Harmar District of Marietta, will open its doors to the public as well. Doll quilts and doll clothing will also be exhibited.
Campus Martius will exhibit Washington County coverlets from its private collection, as well as vintage samplers.
The Fearing House (located in historic Harmar Village on the west side of Marietta... across the street from the Toy and Doll Museum) will be open to display items from the Washington County Historical Society collection.
Across the Ohio River at 447 Highland Avenue in Williamstown, festival goers will find The Woolen Willow a locally owned needlecraft shop.
"It is truly wonderful to see so many organizations coming together to support the fiber arts in the Mid-Ohio Valley," said The Betsey Mills Club Executive Director Linda Lewis.
For more information, go online to The Betsey Mills Club website at www.betseymills.org.
