CAMBRIDGE ART ASSOCIATION will present “Storytelling in Textiles” in their Boston Design Center showroom to be presented with the Design Center’s Fall Market, October 2-3. Submission deadline: September 6 with an October 2 reception planned. Dates of the exhibition are October 2-25, 2019. FMI: Assistant Director Rebecca Schnopp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 617-876-0246.

This listing is for art, craft, farm and/or fiber-related items, equipment, supplies, tools, etc. Ads will run for three months after which they will disappear. They are free for Members of Maine Fiberarts ($60.00/year). Members may enter up to a 25-word description and contact information. For more information, for listing items you wish to give away for free, or to have Maine Fiberarts enter your ad for you, please contact us. To enter your own ad, look for the heading in this list called "Submit Your Own" and fill out the form.

KUMIHIMO LOOM, with bobbins, extra weights, and a whole lot of thread. Free to good home! Nan Butterfield, Yarmouth, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 272-2021

I have a lot of wonderful ART BOOKS (mostly fiber-related) I need to dispense with. I have been going through my rather (!) extensive library and have decided to downsize. I am offering the books for $4 each, and $10 for 3 books. They are in very good condition. Quite a variety of media: art quilts, weaving, rug hooking, collage, knitting, fabric design, you name it!
—Natasha Kempers-Cullen; 207-406-2640; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

FREE: Sharon Forest of Lisbon is moving and wishes to give away her collection of knitting, crochet and craft books for free. She has about 40-50 vintage knitting books, 12-13 newer crochet books, and several general crafts books. She also has homespun material to give away. FMI: Sharon Forest, 207-407-4250 

September 4-8
FIBER COLLEGE OF MAINE, hosted by Searsport Shores Ocean Camping, Searsport, Maine. Classes to be announced April 1. FMI: www.fibercollege.org

September 6
Reception for "HANGING BY A THREAD," 50 works by Maine fiber artists, September 6-November 22, Fernald Gallery, University of Maine Hutchinson Center, Belfast. (See "Exhibitions" in this newsletter for more info. FMI: Nancy Bergerson, 207-338-8049; www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu

September 7
HARPSWELL CENTENNIAL HALL, craft show and sale.

September 14
“Darkness and the Light: Curatorial Talk with Lissa Hunter,” 2 p.m. at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Maine College of Art. Free and open to the public. The talk is sponsored by Surface Design Association and Maine Crafts Association. FMI: www.mainecrafts.org

September 14
CURATORIAL TALK WITH LISSA HUNTER, Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art, 2-3 p.m. Talk about “Darkness and the Light” at ICA now. Hunter will touch on “the process of curating the show, developing working relationships with the artists, and being witness to their practice. ‘Darkness and Light’ was conceived by Hunter several years ago. She invited thirteen Maine artists with established careers and reputations for fine craftsmanship and artistic excellence to join her in creating work specifically for this exhibition.” FMI: www.meca.edu

September 14
SELF-GUIDE TOUR OF STUDIOS IN THOMASTON, 10-5. Participating artists include Nancy Baker, Susan Van Campen, Autumn Cipala, Cynthia McGuirl, James Murdock, Linden O’Ryan, Tim Van Campen, Amy Williams, Kevin Beers, Lorena Stackpole and Greta Van Campen including painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. Last year, Greta Van Campen organized the tour as a way to connect the public to the many artists who make their homes in Thomaston. FMI: www.thomastonopenstudios.com.

September 14
FREEPORT FOLK FESTIVAL at Wolfe’s Neck. One-day festival includes two stages for music, art and craft booths, and delicious food. Starts at 10 a.m. Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Freeport.

September 21-22
HARVEST HOOK-IN. Sponsored by Green Mountain Hooked Rugs of VT and organized by Stockton Springs artist Allegra Kuhn. Hooked rug demos and vendors. Christine Macchi, Executive Director, Maine Fiberarts offers a slideshow about "Hooked Rugs, Fiber Studios, and the Beauty of the Landscape." Rug hooking supplies, fiber arts vendors, lunch and a slidetalk. Held at: Jeff’s Catering, 15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine 04412. To register: 802-223-1333; www.GreenMountainHookedRugs.com

September 22-28
CUMBERLAND FAIR, Spinners demonstrating, Cumberland Fairgrounds, 197 Blanchard Road, Cumberland. FMI: 207-829-5531

September 28
ARTS ARE ELEMENTARY. An Evening With Art. Online, live and silent auction. FMI: https://www.facebook.com/events/2384873445085943/

September 28 & 29
MAINE AUDUBON CRAFT SHOW, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth

September 29-October 5
Textile group TATTER LIBRARY of Brooklyn, New York and of Maine hosts their first travel-related textile retreat in Midcoast Maine. See “Workshops” for more information. FMI: www.tattertextileretreat.org; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

October 3
PORTFIBER is hosting a 47’ trailer/showroom from Louet from 11-5. Louet writes, “This is a great way to sample a variety of looms and wheels. We are a wholesale-only company, and operate this mobile showroom (and purchasing opportunities for customers) in connection with local dealers. The showroom contains:
• Spring 90-12 harness loom (parallel countermarch system, 90 cm (35.5”)
• Megado 70-32 (Dec 19)– Our flagship dobby loom with electronic dobby (35’5”)
• David 70 loom (compact 8 harness sinking shed jack loom – 70 cm (27.5”)
• Jane 40-8 harness (the best table loom on the market! Folds flat for storage)
• Erica 30-4 harness loom (easy-to-use travel loom at an affordable price, folds flat)
• S10 Concept Spinning Wheel (Scotch or Irish tension, does it all!)
• S17 Spinning Wheel (a beginner wheel with great features)
• Victoria Spinning Wheel (the ultimate travel wheel, fits in an airplane!)
• Blending Board, Hand Cards, Mini Combs
• Drum carders
• Warping Mill, Flying Dutchman Shuttle, Bobbin winder

A popular add-on at our events are wheel tune-ups for customers with Louët spinning wheels. These are $25, plus replacement parts (if needed).” FMI: Pam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Casey at Portfiber This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

October 5-6
MAINE CRAFT WEEKEND. Studios, businesses and breweries open across the State. Add your listing at www.mainecrafts.org

October 19-20
NEW YORK SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL, Rhinebeck, NY. Hours: Saturday, 9-5; Sunday, 9-4. Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6550 Spring Brook Avenue, Rhinebeck, NY. Sheep shows, fleece sales, livestock displays, vendors, workshops, exhibits, used equipment area, fiber contests, and yarn, yarn, yarn. FMI: www.sheepandwool.com

October 26
DESIGNING WOMEN Fine Craft Show, 10-4, Wells Activity Center, Wells, ME. FMI: www.designingwomen.org

November 15-17; 22-24; 29, 30, December 1
SECONDS SALE 2019 at Snow Farm. New artwork each weekend, 200+ artists, “make your own glass ornament,” 10-4, every day. “Biggest fundraiser of the year!’ Located at 5 Clary Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096; 413-268-3101; www.snowfarm.org

November 16
DESIGNING WOMEN Fine Craft Show, 10-4, Maine Coast Waldorf School, Freeport, ME. FMI: www.designingwomen.org

December 14
DESIGNING WOMEN Fine Craft Show, 10-4, Ocean Avenue School, Portland, ME. FMI: www.designingwomen.org

December 14
HUDSON MUSEUM, University of Maine, hosts the largest holiday gathering of Maine Indian artists in New England. Members of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance who have received national awards and new artists representing the next generation of weavers will be featured. Please join us for a day showcasing one-of-a-kind art forms, demonstrations, storytelling, traditional music, drumming and dancing, and a fashion show by Decontie and Brown. There's something for everyone! Gretchen Faulkner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“BOOK ARTS EXHIBITION,” September 4-October 15, 2019, Glickman Family Library, 6th floor, USM. Lecture and Reception, September 9, 4 p.m. with Martha Kearsley and Lisa Pixley, University Events Room, 7th floor, Glickman Family Library. FMI: 207-228-0814; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“WIWENIKAN: the beauty we carry,” July 20, 2019-January 12, 2020, Colby College Museum, Waterville. “An exhibition of the First Nations people of what is now Maine and Maritime Canada. Collectively known as the Wabanaki, the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Abenaki, our people have lived in and paddled through our homeland for thousands of years.” Guest curated by Jennifer Neptune and Kathleen Mundell with curatorial advisors Gretchen Faulkner and Theresa Secord. FMI: www.colby.edu

ART: TAPESTRY | THE NEW WAVE, co-curated by Priscilla Alden and Barbara Burns, August 6 -August 31, Down East Gallery. Opening Reception: Friday, August 9, 5-7 p.m. for a Meet the Artists and Gallery Talks and weaving demonstrations. Featuring 30+ tapestries by New England’s top weavers. 146 Boothbay Road, Edgecomb. FMI: www.DownEastGallery.com

BARBARA MORRIS GOODBODY COLLECTION, Maine Museum of Photographic Arts, USM Glickman Family Library, 5th floor, 314 Forest Avenue, Portland, June 27-October 30. Photographic historian and artist Brenton Hamilton will give a talk October 24, 6-8 p.m. on the 4th floor of Glickman. FMI: www.mainemuseumofphotographicarts.org

“DARK AND STORMY,” throughout October at Maine Craft, Portland, featuring fiber artists including Barbara Burns, Marianne Senechal, Susan Mills and others. Opening Reception, at First Friday Art Walk.

HANGING BY A THREAD, 50 works by Maine fiber artists, September 6-November 22, Fernald Gallery, University of Maine Hutchinson Center, Belfast. Artists represented include: Kathleen Bird, Laurie Brooks, Barbara Burns, Sandi Cirillo, John Clark, Stephanie Crossman, Bette Edl, Kathleen Goddu, Sara Hotchkiss, Natasha Kempers-Cullen, Allegra Kuhn, Alice Lee, Susan Mills, Arlene Morris, Leanne Nickon, Jeanne Seronde Perkins, Linda Perkins, Jude Spacks, Joanne Swift and Peter Walls. Opening Reception: September 6, 5:30-7 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Co-curated by Sandi Cirillo. FMI: Nancy Bergerson, 207-338-8049; www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu

"IN THE VANGUARD: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, 1950-1960," Portland Museum of Art, Portland through September 8. Fee: $18, adults; $15, seniors and students; free on Fridays, 4-8 p.m. Hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, 10-6; Thursday, Friday, 10-8. See the review by Daniel Kany, Audience, 8/18/2019, "'In the Vanguard' shows where American craft came from.

IT'S POLITICAL! Work by twelve Maine artists is on view at Maine Fiberarts July 3 - August 31. Work includes tea bag quilts, woven tapestry, painted drums, hooked pillows, crocheted tea cup, recycled bag sculptural forms and more. Fascinating art! Come see. FMI: 207-721-0678 

KATHARINE COBEY: ART IS TRANSFORMATION, October 5, 2019-April 12, 2020, Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum Street, Rockland. A selection of Cobey’s fiber sculptures, creating with knitting and handspun yarns, will be showcased in the Rothschild Gallery. FMI: 207-596-6457; www.farnsworthmuseum.org

“TEN YEARS OF MASTER CRAFT ARTISTS,” June 8-October 27, 2019. Maine Crafts Association and Fuller Craft Museum celebrates the tenth anniversary of MCA’s Master Crafts Artist awards. The exhibition features 17 artists. Fuller Craft Museum, 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301. Reception: Sunday, June 9, 2-5 p.m.

“TRACKING SPIRIT,” work by Nancy Marstaller, Sara Polumbo, and Susan Mills on view throughout October and ongoing, at Markings Gallery, Bath. Artist Talk: October 10 at 6 p.m. 

BOOK ARTS PROGRESS GROUP MEETING, 6:30-8:30pm at Maine Media Workshops, 70 Camden Street, Rockport, ME. These meetings are held every other month on the second Thursday and are open to everyone—professional and amateur book makers, and anyone else interested in book arts. Bring books or projects you have finished or are working on to share, your questions, or anything else related to book arts. Or just come to be inspired! FMI: Cynthia McGuirl, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 207-354-0929

SPINDLEWORKS FIBER CIRCLE. Spindleworks artists invite community members to join them while they work on fiber projects. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon, 7 Lincoln Street, Brunswick, ME 04011. All welcome! FMI: www.spindleworks.org, Julianne Carle, 207-725-8820.

CRAFT MEETUP at CURTIS MEMORIAL LIBRARY, Mondays, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Seminar Room, 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, free. FMI: www.curtislibrary.com

EMBROIDERY GROUP, SKIDOMPHA LIBRARY, Barbicon Room, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta, free. FMI: www.skidompha.org

FIBER FRIDAY meets at Maine Fiberarts, 13 Main Street, Topsham on the first Friday of each month, 10-noon. Bring handwork and show-and-tell. All welcome! FMI: 207-721-0678

FREEPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY hosts a group of rug hookers meet every Tuesday, 1-4 p.m.

KNITCHAT! South Portland Public Library, 482 Broadway, South Portland, Fridays at 10 a.m. Free. FMI: www.southpoprtlandlibrary.com

KNIT NITE every Thursday night, 6 p.m., at the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow Street in Bangor. Area knitters are invited to share the joys of knitting and their favorite patterns, while informally passing on knitting advice and skills. Newcomers welcome. Stop at the front desk and ask where the knitters are gathering. FMI: 207-947-8336

MAINELY WEAVERS STUDY GROUP meets the first Wednesday of each month at Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Route 88 in Falmouth, 10-2. All levels of weavers are welcome. FMI: Jayne Flanagan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MIDCOAST RUG HOOKERS meets the second Friday of each month, 10-1 or -2 at the Wiscasset Community Center. Bring lunch and friends. FMI: 207-633-7518; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PORTFIBER hosts PortWeavers every Tuesday, from noon-5 p.m. (bring your loom and project) and PortSpinners, Thursday afternoons from noon to 5 p.m. 50 Cove Street, Portland 04101, (207) 780-1345. FMI: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.portfiber.com

PORTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, Riverton Branch, 1600 Forest Avenue, Portland hosts a free Adult Knitting Groups on Thursdays starting at 6:30 p.m. Bring your knitting project and chat!

STITCH HIVE, a group organized by Maggie Muth, meets on the first and third Mondays at Mayo Street Arts, lower entrance, Portland from 6-7:30 p.m. Drop in or stay the whole time. Bring any kind of stitching and ideas or materials to share. They will have teaching, fruit and laughs. FMI: 207-317-2502

TOPSHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY hosts Sip & Stitch for knitting and crochet, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. 25 Foreside Road, Topsham; 207-725-1727

MEMBERS, your regular Meet-Up could be posted here.

Words cannot express our delight with your presentation at the Quilt Show [Popham Chapel, July 20]. Your expertise in spinning was exceptional and so added to the quality of our first attempt at such a venue. Smiling and happiness was fantastic and made the show extra special.
—Kathy Perkins, Popham Circle

The work of BARBARA BURNS and the many artists showing in Markings Gallery are profiled in the Spring/Summer 2019 issue of NORTHERN JOURNEYS. The issue includes a history of the store/gallery and a gallery of images of work by several artists. Check it out!

Member CYNTHIA MCGUIRL sends the following: “Sandy Weisman, Abbie Read, Paula Blanchard, and I have formed a group to promote, encourage and educate around Book Arts. We are offering a three-day Workshop  https://mailchi.mp/be90240c4145/summer-artist-book-intensive-2143789?e=1bf1ec0c14 this summer, sponsoring a show Book Arts: Maine Artists at the Camden Library in September, and have formed a Facebook Group Midcoast Maine Book Arts to facilitate discussion and opportunities. Please consider being part of the discussion by joining the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/325185851340562/about/.

NEEDING HELP WITH AN OLD BARN FRAME LOOM
I'm contacting Maine Fiberarts because I have an interesting problem/project concerning an old barn frame loom. I'm hoping that someone may have some advice for me, or could help point me in the right direction! I am the designer at Maine Heritage Weavers—a small, family-run heirloom textile mill located in Monmouth, Maine. Last fall, an antique barn frame loom came into my possession (the last owner estimates that it's from the late 1700's or early 1800's.)  It arrived in pieces, and I have been on a mission to reassemble it and get it functioning, if I can!  I'm also interested in doing some general research about the history of these looms in Maine, so that I can share it with our mill visitors.

A few months ago, I visited the Boothbay Railway Village to see and take photographs of their fully restored barn frame loom to help guide me. Unfortunately, I've since discovered that my loom is missing an integral piece and I can't proceed setting it up without it. It seems simple enough to try to replicate, so I'm willing to rig something up or attempt to build it myself.  I'm hoping to find some community members or other Maine/New England weavers who may have some insight into this predicament. Is it possible to find a piece like the one I'm missing somewhere? If I were to rig something up, does anyone have any ideas how I could do so? Are there people out there who could construct the piece again out of wood, if I provided the measurements? There are a lot of possibilities. This is a challenging problem to solve! Any input would be appreciated :) —Adrienne Beacham, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We like your letters, and your news. Keep them coming.

Remember, when you buy through AMAZON, PLEASE go to smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Maine Fiberarts. It’s easy, and the organization receives a small donation with each purchase. Thank you. You can also link directly from these pages on our website: https://www.mainefiberarts.org/support-maine-fiberarts and scroll down near the bottom, or click the "More" button on the top right of any page and scroll down to see the link to amazon smile. Any time you shop on Amazon use this link:

The Maine chapter of the SURFACE DESIGN ASSOCIATION (SDA) held a lively meet and greet on a lovely June afternoon in Rockland. Eleven fiber artists (several of whom are also members of Maine Fiberarts) gathered for a potluck lunch along with a brainstorming session for future activities. Michelle Lee, SDA Board member and the Membership Committee Chair, and Kate Dean, rep for SDA New Hampshire joined the Maine members. Highlights included:

• plans for a curatorial talk by Lissa Hunter at Darkness and the Light on Saturday, September 14 at MECA's ICA in Portland in partnership with Maine Crafts Association.
• there are plans for a juried SDA New England exhibition in Watertown, MA, early in 2020.
• preliminary plans for organizing a SDA Maine exhibit later in 2020 or in 2021, venue to be determined.
• upcoming quarterly in-person meetings on Saturday afternoons in Bangor including a technique, show-n-tell sessions, speakers, field trips, movie viewing, or exhibition organization.
• several formats for a group project among members were discussed. Kate Russell Henry will spearhead the project. As it develops, a venue for exhibiting the results will be sought.
• increasing exposure for members through SDA via the website, journal, newsletters, and exhibitions.
• SDA grants for professional development and socially engaged practices are open.
• a chance to study SDA's swatch collection. It is always a pleasure to "talk shop" with other fiber enthusiasts.

Membership in the Surface Design Association is available at several levels and throughout the year at surfacedesign.org.
—Jennifer Morrow Lee

MAKERS’ MARKET is a shop and studio located in Brooksville, Maine that is open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. from June to October, or by chance. “Offering a carefully-curated selections of goods created by the Peninsula’s finest artisans.” Work includes: fine art and craft, botanical potions, jewelry, artist’s supplies, decorative accoutrements, and more. FMI: www.makersmarketmaine.com

Two new art centers are opening in the East Bayside area of Portland. INDIGO ARTS ALLIANCE will open at 60 Cove Street as a “hybrid studio and community work space that will pair professional and emerging artists of color.” Daniel and Marcia Minter are the proprietors. COVE STREET ARTS will involve textile designer Angela Adams, her partner Sherwood Hamill, John Danos and Kelley Lehr, newly-moved here from LA and the new owners of Greenhut Gallery. They will open a 13,000 square-foot “multimedia community space” that will include “multiple commercial galleries, event and workshop spaces and two artist studios.” Angela Adams will run her design business and showroom from the same building. Danos envisions public space for lectures, artist talks, movies and other events related to the exhibitions in the galleries. The art centers will join PortFiber and Running with Scissors, as well as area coffee roasters, restaurants and breweries, in creating a vibrant draw for the public. [See article in 1/26/2019 Portland Press Herald, “New Art Center Where ‘The Energy is Great’” by Bob Keyes.]

MAINE CRAFTS ASSOCIATION and the MAINE ARTS COMMISSION announce the pairs selected for the 2019 Craft Apprentice Program: Joe Ascrizzi, master with apprentice Lisa Neuman (jewelry); Kim Dailey, master with apprentice Jedediah Malcore (wood turning); Gabriel Frey, master with apprentice Frances Soctomah (basketry); Nisa Smiley, master with apprentice Lauren Beach (jewelry); and David Wolfe, master with apprentice David Connor (printmaking). FMI: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Study of 400,000 knitters shows how hobby evolves into business,” is an article by Andrew Van Dam appearing in the “Business” section of the PORTLAND PRESS HERALD [November 15, 2018]. The article highlights how an MIT Ph.D. candidate Hyejun Kim studied Ravelry to “shed light on the hard-to-measure early stages of entrepreneurship, and the social and economic forces that cause some to flip from ‘fun’ to ‘profit.” The article states that there are “more than 8 million people who have signed up for Ravelry since 2007” of which “96 percent are women.” Ravelry is a social media website dedicated to yarn, patterns, tools, books and designers involved with knitting and fiber techniques.

Friends with visitors. Looking for something fun and interesting to do? Remember our Fiber Arts Mini Tour: Midcoast Maine. Pick up a brochure at Maine Fiberarts or at any one of the Maine State Visitor Information Centers detailing 20 great studios, farms, galleries and more to visit. A fine tour! See a glimpse of the sites to see at: http://folio.mainefiberarts.org/fiber-arts-mini-tour/

HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN SCHOOL OF ART announces that the Jane Weiss Garrett Scholarship is now fully endowed supporting tuition, room and board annually for a student to attend a workshop in ceramics, glass or fiber. FMI: www.haystack-mt.org

”FIBER ART MASTERS: A Visual Tour to Maine Artists’ Studios and Work,” is a small book published by Maine Fiberarts profiling the work of twenty Maine master fiber artists ($23 plus tax and shipping through Maine Fiberarts). Meanwhile, you can take a look at the preview here. Printing is disabled, but you may download it to view it later. It is about 7 MB. You will need Adobe Reader (or Acrobat), and if you right click on this link and download it to your computer, you will be able to view it full screen if you choose. When you are done, you can get things back to normal by pressing the ESCape key.

MARSHFIELD SCHOOL OF WEAVING, Marshfield, VT has “received an extraordinary gift of large and small tools from the American Textile History Museum. A number of looms and wheels are in daily use at the school, and the other tools are house in a new storage space where they are available for study and use as needed.” MSW hosts workshops, teacher training in barn loom weaving, a Textile History Forum and other fiber-related events. FMI: www.marshfieldschoolofweaving.com

REPAIR TECHNICIANS for looms, spinning wheels and fiber equipment are needed. Carol Fritz needs someone to repair a 36-inch Nilus LeClerk loom and Maine Fiberarts needs to know who the repairmen are that we can refer. Add your free listing to our online Tour Map/Resource Guide at www.mainefiberarts.org 

MAINE ARTS COMMISSION offers several grants for individual artists, including “Project Grant for Artists,” “Traditional Arts Apprenticeship,” “Maine Artist Fellowship,” and the “Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund.” For descriptions and 2019 deadlines, see: www.mainearts.gov/Pages/Funding/For-Individuals

JOSEPH A. FIORE ART CENTER located in Jefferson, Maine offers art residencies, open studio days, exhibitions and retreats for artists on a rolling farm setting. The Center is "available for rent, in its entirety or by the room, to groups or individuals whose reason for wanting to stay at the Center aligns with our mission." The Center is part of Maine Farmland Trust. FMI: 207-338-6575; www.mainefarmlandtrust.org

Maine Fiberarts is creating LEARNING FIBER ART: A GUIDE TO MAINE TEACHING RESOURCES in Maine and wants all artists, craftspeople, shops, learning centers, retreats, libraries and special events—offering fiber learning on a regular and ongoing basis.

LOOKING FOR ARTISTS TO PRESENT WORKSHOPS, demonstrations or lectures to small groups of "Gifted and Talented" students. The Gifted and Talented Coordinator/Teacher RSU#12 Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit in Somerville, Maine, announces that they have a fully functioning Visual and Performing Arts element as part of the gifted and talented program via the Maine Department of Education's state mandate. Right now they are looking for local Maine artists and craftspeople to give a short workshop (demonstration and lecture) about their work to very small groups of GIFTED YOUNG VISUAL ARTISTS (age 9-14) at the Chelsea and/or Windsor Elementary Schools. FMI: https://sites.google.com/a/svrsu.org/gifted-and-talented/, 207-549-3261, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Argy Nestor of the MAINE ARTS COMMISSION seeks art making materials and supplies that are no longer needed since she works with many art teachers in Maine and in other countries. Email her and she’ll be glad to make arrangements for pick up. FMI: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MAINE FIBER RESOURCE GUIDE has become Maine Fiberarts Tour. This online version takes the place of our printed Tour Maps, and is THE place we direct visitors to. Listings are FREE so please fill out the online form, or call Maine Fiberarts and we will assist you: 207-721-0678.

FIBER FOLIO folio.mainefiberarts.org is our photo-illustrated tour to fiber, art, craft and farms across Maine and beyond. Always new profiles and changing content, profusely-illustrated with colorful photography. A living tour. Check it out!

If you have a Bulletin item to contribute to this Fiber Bulletin here, you can enter it yourself using this form.

Maine Fiberarts has a CLASSIFIED ADS section. Ads are FREE for Members ($60/year or higher) and run for three months. Enter your fiber-related item or help-wanted request in the form at the bottom of every page. It is the same form you would use to add an event or bulletin listing.

Be sure to take the FIBER ART MINI TOUR: Midcoast Maine. Read about it here. Brochures are available at Center for Maine Craft in West Gardiner; Markings Gallery in Bath; Maine Fiberarts in Topsham; Halcyon Yarn in Bath; Maine State Information Centers in Yarmouth, Kittery, Hampden North and South, Calais, Fryeburg, Houlton; Newcastle Inn in Newcastle; Henry and Marty Restaurant in Brunswick, Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, Wild Oats in Brunswick.

Fill in the form below to simplify sending us your news, event, announcement or ad for our Statewide Fiber Bulletin. Please check our bulletin for other items that have been published so you will have an idea of the length and the format. Keep it brief, 25 words. Make sure emails and websites are correct and functioning before you put them in. We will delete items once they have happened, we do not keep an archive of events. Ads will run for 3 months and are free for members.

Our Fiber Bulletin is not the same thing as our Fiber Resource Guide/Tour Map. If what you are announcing is a consistent or recurring event, an organization, a service or a studio that has an address that you would like to add to our digital tour, there is a link to enter your information on our map, here.

To the BELVEDERE FUND of the Maine Community Foundation for a $5,000 grant award to visit rural regions of Maine to discover and to document fiber artists and to add their work to Maine Fiberarts’ Photo Image Libraries, News Bulletin, and Fiber Folio. Thank you, MCF!

To THE TATTER TEXTILE LIBRARY of Brooklyn, New York, for its recent financial gift supporting the work of Maine Fiberarts. Your gift and recognition are greatly appreciated. Tatter has a library of books that is open to the public by appointment. They also offer classes in various types of stitching. Check out their website and thank you, Tatter! www.tatter.org

Thank you to BANGOR SAVINGS BANK for sponsoring our exhibition for Elizabeth Busch! Your support is very much appreciated!

MAINE ARTS COMMISSION for partial funding of a project grant to redesign, expand and promote our Fiber Folio photo blog, www.mainefiberfolio.com. We are looking for guest writers and unique ideas to feature on our online Folio. Be in touch! Maine Arts Commission is an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

THE EDGARD AND GERALDINE FEDER FOUNDATION for monies to reprint our FIBER ART MASTERS book since our first edition is just about out of print. Thank you!

To the BELVEDERE TRADITIONAL HANDCRAFTS FUND of the MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for major funding to create our online and printed new book: LEARNING FIBER ART: A GUIDE TO MAINE TEACHING RESOURCES. Thank you, Belvedere. You are dear to us!!

To our AMAZING BENEFACTOR, who wishes to remain anonymous, and who will support Maine Fiberarts with a check for $12,500 during 2019 if we can match it. Thank you to all who gave towards this match last year. We raised $17,000 during 2018 with this incentive. Wonderful!

MAINE HUMANITIES COUNCIL for an award of a Major Grant in support of our "Threads of History" show this Spring-Summer 2017. The grant supports programming at Maine Fiberarts, three scholars, one tour, and two lectures. Candace Kanes will offer a guided tour along Maine Street, Brunswick pointing out the former fiber businesses of yore: haberdasheries, dressmakers, milliners, and corsetiere shops. Historian Scott Hansen will provide a tour through Cabot Mill and a talk about Brunswick mill history. And Jacqueline Field is offering a talk on Maine's silk industry. See "Current Exhibition" for dates and locations.

To TWO DONORS who wish to remain anonymous, one for general support of Maine Fiberarts during 2018 and another who is supporting our new Learning Fiber Art: A Guide to Maine Teaching Resources. Thank you!

MAINE OFFICE OF TOURISM and MAINE ARTS COMMISSION for support of our Fiber Arts Mini Tour: Midcoast Maine which is now in use during Summer of 2019 for self-guided tours.

Thank you to the following special donors who continue to support our exhibitions and programming: Verrill Dana, Ann Kaplan, Maine Humanities Council, Maine Arts Commission, Katharine Watson, Judith Connorton, Carolyn Murray, Bangor Savings Bank, Mary Lou Steptoe, Arlene Morris, Dr. Steven Stern, Mr. and Mrs. John Schaperkotter, William and Judith Winship, David and Margo Knight, Peggy Whitney Hobbs, Sue Perless, and Carolyn Wollen. Many people working together to bring beautiful shows of fiber work to our gallery!

Thank you to The Betterment Fund, Maine Arts Commission, Maine Office of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts for support  to continue our programs, and especially our online Maine Fiberarts Tour. Artists and fiber producers: get yourself listed on our map at www.mainefiberartstour.com

ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS announces a three day workshop on Shibori techniques. November 15-17, 2019. Shibori is an ancient Japanese resist dye process dating back to the 8th century. Three-dimensional patterns can be created by stitching, pleating, folding, clamping, or twisting fabric and tightly secured before dyeing. In this workshop you will be introduced to several of these techniques. Combining techniques will be discussed so that you can create unique patterning. Choose the techniques you like and leave the rest or try them all. It’ll be up to you. Indigo dye will be the primary dye used. However, color will be used when combining multiple techniques to add interest and dimension to patterns. FMI: contact Kathleen Goddu at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AULA ARTESANA. Welcome to the Andes mountains, where for centuries, Andean campesino communities have raised alpaca and sheep, shearing, spinning and dyeing their wool to eventually create textile art unique to this region. Aula Artesana invites you to join us for our inaugural Tintes & Textiles workshop, a six-day experience, on September 1, 2019, featuring immersive weaving and natural dye workshops and local activities in the Sacred Valley of Cusco. FMI: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., https://www.aulaartesana.com/events/tintes-textiles-cusco, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

CASCO BAY CRAFT SCHOOL announces "Textile Arts: Explore and Create Surface Design and Collage," a workshop with artist Catherine Worthington. Sept 21-24, 2019. Also, Anna Helpler, "from flat to round: exploring the sculptural properties of paper and cardboard," September 24-27, 2019. FMI: https://www.cascobaycraft.com/workshopsfees, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“FELTERS’ FLING 2019,” August 18-24, 2019, Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Retreat Center, Silver Bay, New York. Nine 2-, 3-, and 5-day workshops to choose from. “A celebration of felt making techniques and the artists who create them.” Registration opens January 6. Workshops by Angelika Werth, Fiona Duthie, Katia Mokeyeva, Molly Williams, Rio Wrenn, and Roxanne Lasky. FMI: www.fiberfling.com

FIBER COLLEGE OF MAINE hosts classes September 4-8, 2019, including: “Four Harness Weaving for Beginners,” Alice Seeger; “Aran Sweater Knitting and Design,” Kris Bridges and Anna Kessler; “Machine Knitting,” Allysun West; “Katano Shibori,” Kathleen Goddu; “Tapestry: Warp, Weft, Wow!” Barbara Burns; “Eco Printing,” Mary DeLano; “Bittersweet Basket,” Tina Puckett; “Create with Beautiful Handwoven Fabric,” Susan Perrine; “French Canadian Smocking,” Regie Messamore; “Winona Sun Ice Dye,” Maryly Matthewman; “Knitting a Diagonal Sweater or Tunic/Dress,” Katharine Cobey; “Antique Spinning  Wheels,” Brenda Page and Jan Cunningham; “Crochet Edging for Knitters,” Laurie Sims; and many more. FMI: www.fibercollege.org 

FLYING WITH SCISSORS STUDIO announces a new retreat: “Japanese Piecing and Slow Stitching” in Live Well Farm, a cozy farmhouse setting in Harpswell, Maine, February 14-17, 2020. Instructors: Kimberly Becker and Berri Kramer. Details: https://www.flyingwithscissorsstudio.com/details. Registration: https://www.flyingwithscissorsstudio.com/register

HAYSTACK MOUNTAIN SCHOOL OF CRAFTS offers workshops, residencies and a Summer Conference in their new catalog for Summer 2019 (June through August). Textile classes include; “Hand-Weaving 101,” with Christy Matson; “Social Paper: Using Text, Image, Paper, and Print for Social Practice,” Mary Tasillo and Michelle Wilson; “Obtainium/Embellish’um,” Jim Drain; “Home is Everywhere,” Doug Johnson; “Embodied Line,” Courtney Puckett; “Pulp Fictions: Developing Narratives through Papermaking,” Krista Franklin; “Around the World with Natural Color,” Kathy Hattori; “Sculptural Paper Craft: Form and Freedom,” Michael Velliquette; and “Discovering a Mindful Stitching Practice,” Christine Mauersberger. Summer Conference, July 7-11 entitled, “Craft and History: Writing a History, Preserving a Field.”  FMI: www.haystack-mtn.org 

HAYSTACK OPEN DOOR, October 11-14, 2019, Intensive Fall Studio Workshops for Maine Residents. Classes in blacksmithing, Ceramics, Fab Lab, Fiber, Graphics, Metals, Wood and Writing. The Fiber workshop is “Casting Shade,” with Ani Hoover: use weaving macramé, and crochet to transform a basic lampshade armature into works of art. Applications processed on a lottery system; email notification by September 13. FMI: 207-348-2306; www.haystack-mtn.org

MAINE COLLEGE OF ART CONTINUING STUDIES, Fall 2019 hosts classes in paintings, creative practice, printmaking, jewelry, drawing, fashion and textile design, graphic design, paper and book arts, and woodworking and furniture. Weekend textiles classes include: “Skirt Workshop,” September 21 with Betsy Scheintaub and “Experimental Weaving,” October 19, with Hannah Adams. Also weekly classes include: “Fashion Sewing,” Cheslye Ventimiglia; “Introduction to Sewing,” Ashley Wernher-Collins; “Experimental Weaving,” Hannah Adams; and “Fiber Structures,” Hanna Adams. FMI: www.meda.edu

MORGAN ART OF PAPERMAKING hosts Summer Workshops 2019 in: 18th Century Italian Pasteboard Binding, Eco-Style Print for Artist Books, Reduction Block Printing, Reinventing Slot and Tab Binding, Letterpress Collaboration, Monotype and Friends, Papermaking with Local and Natural Fibers, Paper by Design, Sculpting with Kozo and many more. FMI: 216-3614-9255; www.MorganConservatory.org

PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT: Fall 2019; Spring 2020. Fall Concentration, eight-week workshops September 22-November 15, 2019 include clay, glass, iron, metalws, paper/printmaking, textiles, and wood. The Paper/Printmaking is with Georgia Deal and is entitled “Paper and the Unique Print.” Textiles with Bhakti Ziek: The Vocabulary of Weaving.” One-Week Sessions, October 6-12 in glass, photography, Mindfulness & Making, artists’ books, letterpress, and encaustic painting. One-Week Session III, November 3-9, 2019 in clay, metals and textiles: A Place for Tools,” with Leigh Hilbert. Spring Concentration, March 8 - May 1, 2020 in clay, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, photography, and textiles. Textiles class is with Erika Diamond, “Inside/Out: Garment as Identity.” Spring One-Week Session, March 22-28, 2020 in glass, printmaking/writing (with Stuart Kestenbaum and Susan Webster), textiles, papermaking, and wood. Textiles include: “Handweaving: Foundations and Exploration,” with Amanda Thatch; “Felt and Straw Hats: Traditional Blocked and Freeform,” with Wyne Wichern; and “Paper of Place,” with Frank Brannon. FMI: www.penland.org; 828-765-2359

PORTFIBER of Portland hosts workshops in August and September: “East Bayside Block Party-Indigo Dyeing,” “Vegetarian Sheepskins,” with Kris Weyrick Scott; “Clasped Weft Pillows,” Casey Ryder; “Buckskin Wallets and Pouches,” Zack Rouda; “Spinning 101” and “Intro to Drop Spindle,” Casey Ryder; “Bittersweet Baskets,” Zack Rouda; “Felted Mer-People,” “Felted Landscapes,” and “Eek! A Mouse,” Kristen Walsh; “Long Draw,” Melanie Duarte; “Backstrap Weaving,” Laverne Waddington; and “White Stag: Needle Felting and Armatures,” Kris Weyrick-Scott. FMI: www.portfiber.com

SARA HOTCHKISS announces three-day weaving workshops for 2019 in her studio on the coast of Maine. Classes are relaxed, basic fundamentals of rug weaving are taught along with finishing techniques, and have a focus on using colors of the student's choice and requirements. The three-day workshop also includes tapestry stitches that will become the geometric design of the rug. Lunch, tea and snacks are provided. Class dates: October 29-31 for 3-day classes. FMI: Sara Hotchkiss, 207-832-8133, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 28 Pitcher Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572. Download schedule for more information.

SUSAN MILLS upcoming classes include: Fiber College, “Medicine Bags,” September 8; Mills’ Studio: “Felting 101” on October 13 and “Felting 102” on October 27; and “Shamanic Arts,” November 3.

SCHOODIC ARTS FOR ALL, 21st Annual Event, is held July 29-August 11 with a wide array of classes in: basic brewing, flash fiction, pottery wheel in porcelain, festival yoga, cooking withg sea vegetables and more. Fiber classes include: "Round Flying Geese Basket," "Shaker Market Basket," "Silk Scarf Painting," "Walking Wheel Demonstration," "Felted Gnomes," "Needle Felted Figure over Wire Armature," "Japanese Tie-Dyeing," "Fabulous Felted Nuno Scarf," "Galaxy T-Shirts," "Linen Paintings with Embroidery," and "What's Up with Bees?" FMI: www.schoodicartsforall.org

SHAKERAG WORKSHOPS 2019, Sewanee, TN offers textile classes in: “Imagery for Textiles,” Michael Brennand-Wood; “Natural Dyeing and Direct Application of Natural Pigments,” Donna Brown; “Creating a Capsule Wardrobe,” Sandra Johnson; “Sewing: Learning By Doing,” Jean Jones; and “Using Lines as a Design Focus in a Sewn Composition,” Valerie Maser-Flanagan. Classes also in pottery, photography, glazes, recording, painting, jewelry, woodblock printing and more. Also, a “Knitting Getaway” hosted by Ann Shayne and Kay Gardiner [wait list only]. FMI: www.shakerag.org

SNOW FARM, Williamsburg, MA hosts textile classes in: “Images in Fiber,” “Paper Marbling: Color Play,” “Handmade Sketchbooks,” “Watercolor Monoprint: Experimental Printmaking,” “Written in Wax: The Encaustic Book,” “Sewing 101: Bags & Purses,” “Traditional Wet Felting for Beginners,” “Hat Making to Your Heart’s Content,” “Rug Hooking with the Oxford Punch Needle,” “Leather with a Twist,” “Slow Stitching,” “Indigo Shibori,” “Mosaic Quilting,” “Sculptural Weaving,” “Foraged Color: Print and Pattern Using Found Natural Dyes,” “Exploring New Shapes with Twining & Coiling.” Also classes in ceramics, mixed media, glass, metalsmithing, mosaics, welding, and woodworking. Huge catalog of art- and craft-making workshops!!! FMI: www.snowfarm.org

26 SPLIT ROCK COVE in South Thomaston offers “Artist Book Intensive 2019,” August 2-4, five workshops over three days, sponsored by Midcoast Maine Book Arts. FMI: 26 Split Rock Cove, South Thomaston, ME 04858; 207-596-7624; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Textile group TATTER LIBRARY of Brooklyn, New York and of Maine hosts their first travel-related textile retreat in Midcoast Maine, September 29-October 5. Session One: September 29-October 3 is “Forest Foraging Mushroom Dyeing,” with  mycologist Alissa Allen. Allen leads the group on a forest walk identifying different species of fungi for studio dyeing. “From our findings we will explore micro-seasonal dye palettes, and extract a veritable rainbow of dye with which to transform thread, yarn and yardage.” Session Two: “Historical Embroidery” with Annie Coggan and with Jordana Munk Martin, October 3-5. Learn about the history of embroidered samplers in Maine while stitching with mushroom-dyed thread. Afternoon dye class with master dyer Tony Vinci and tour of Swans Island Company in Northport. Take session one, two, or a week-long session of “Mushroom Dyeing and Immersive Embroidery.” FMI: www.tattertextileretreat.org; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.