The Crooked River Fiber Fling, in its first year, may be a young event, but it’s thinking big. The event will sprawl over four days, the village of Peninsula and locations inside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
During the four day event, spinners, knitters, felters and other artisans will attend workshops. They will also get a chance to buy unique garments, take in two art shows, pet an alpaca and even make a craft while riding the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad.
Fiber Fling is sponsored by the Peninsula Art Academy and the Fiber CAFE (Center for Alternative Fiber Experience), a division of the academy. According to fiber artist Joan Brasaemle, one of the organizers and instructors for the event, Fiber CAFE has already organized a Fiber Art Show annually, but this is its first attempt to do an event on a wider scale.
Brasaemle explained that the event aims to showcase the work of fiber artists in Northeast Ohio while educating kids “so they are future fiber artists.”
She will be teaching a class on knitting modules (diamond shapes) and putting them together to create evening bags. Examples of her knitted garments, designed and constructed using modules, will be on display in the Instructors’ Art Show and the Wearable Art Fashion Show.
One of the featured guests is nationally known knitting expert Sally Melville, who authored “Warm Knits, Cool Gifts” and “Mother-Daughter Knits.” Meanwhile, featured instructor Sharon Costello, who is known for her prizewinning needle felted art dolls and felted vessels, will teach techniques on making felt scarves.
The Crooked River Fiber Fling will take place from Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7.
