Fill up on fiber
‘Fiber Fest’ exhibit takes over four Newport galleries
Newport’s Nye Beach district is getting fiber festive with a new, four-gallery exhibition at the Newport Visual Arts Center and the Olive Street Gallery inside the Newport Performing Arts Center, opening this Saturday, Jan. 11.
Opening receptions for all four exhibits will take place in both locations from 1 to 4 pm on Saturday and will include artist introductions and light refreshments. Exclusively at the Newport Visual Arts Center, live music will be provided by The Spruce Tips.
“Fiber Fest” celebrates fiber arts and artists with exhibitions, demonstrations and classes throughout the two buildings and across the four galleries.
“This area of the coast is home to so many artists working with fibers,” said Chasse Davidson, director of the Newport Visual Arts Center. “We’ve been talking about coordinating a collection of fiber-focused exhibits for some time now, and we’re overjoyed to finally see it all come together — to bring ‘Fiber Fest’ to our community.”
In the center’s Runyan Gallery, “Woven Worlds” will feature a variety of artistic expressions in the woven realm of fiber arts. Viewers will experience masterfully executed traditional woven works, such as tapestries by Vince Zettler, Indigenous basketry by Bud Lane and Chantele Rilatos, traditional woven forms from traditional materials by John Skamser and textile garments by Karen Gelbard. In the same gallery, viewers can explore abstract woven creations by Susan Jones and recycled fishing rope weavings by Rebecca Hooper.
In the upstairs gallery, “Fiber Flair” will feature a menagerie of creative possibilities, from wearable fiber shawls, purses and nature-inspired botanical prints, to contemporary assemblage creations. Jennifer Smith’s nature prints and Bonnie Powell’s assemblages share a vibrant flair, Marie-Lise Best’s felted purses emphasize the utility of fiber and Carol Shenk creates treasured fibrous compositions that attest to the connectedness people experience from the textiles that surround them in life.
Woven art by Abelina Pablo will be featured in the COVAS showcase: exquisite, traditional Guatemalan woven textiles that are as functional as they are beautiful, with vibrant color combinations that spark joy. Pablo began weaving traditional Mayan textiles at a very young age, with skills passed down from both mother and grandmother, using Sedalina and colorful lana wool to create beautiful, unique pieces.
And at Olive Street Gallery, located inside the Newport Performing Arts Center, “Imagine It, Stitch It” will feature contemporary quilted fabrications by Janet Webster, Gloria Zirges, Susan Cronenwett, Linda MacKown and Tina McCann.
Curated by Webster, this unique exhibit includes an array of quilted pieces, each vastly different in style, giving a contemporary twist to the traditional art form of quilting. Bold in both color and composition, some highlight a strong block line, while others blur and blend it completely.
Beyond the exhibitions, “Fiber Fest” will also include opportunities for learning in the form of classes and demonstrations. These include visible mending classes led by Emy Daniels on February 1 and 27, a fiber art design and scaling-up class led by Zettler on February 15, an alterations class led by Best on February 18, and demonstrations by Pablo, Powell and Jones on January 18, 22 and February 22.
“Fiber Fest” runs through March 1 at the Newport Visual Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive, open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 pm. Exhibits at Olive Street Gallery, located inside the Newport Visual Arts Center at 777 W Olive Street, can be viewed during normal business hours and starting one hour before ticketed events. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.