Common Threads Fiber Symposium
Laurel Arts and the Somerset Historical Center are proud to present the 6th Annual Common Threads Fiber Arts Symposium. This one-day event will take place on Saturday, April 13th inside the unique museum space at the Somerset Historical Center (10649 Somerset Pike, Somerset, PA 15501).
$5 Admission fee charged.
Food available for purchase from the Fat Squirrel.
Common Threads is a celebration of all things Fiber Art including basketry, weaving, tapestry, coiling, knitting, crochet, embroidery, lacemaking, rug braiding, rug hooking, macramé, textile arts, silk painting, sewing, quilting, spinning, felting, papermaking, bookbinding, and many creative combinations of those skills. This event offers an opportunity for regional fiber artists to make meaningful connections and share their skills and knowledge with each other as well as the public. Throughout the day, roughly 15 fiber artists will be set up throughout the museum, demonstrating specific techniques, providing hands-on activities to participants, and the artists will be educating visitors when selling or talking about their hand-made products.
For a $5 admission, visitors who attend Common Threads get to meander through the winding museum space to visit each fiber artist’s table/booth. Every year, guest presenters are featured as keynote speakers the day of the event. In the past, presentations have been given on a variety of very interesting fiber arts topics, techniques, fiber artists’ careers, published work, and displays including fashion shows.
Attention Teachers! PAEA will offer Act 48 credits to teachers. PAEA will provide a QR code to print out for teachers
to scan to receive surveys and Act 48 credits.
The keynote presentation this year will feature willow basketry artists Betsy and Dan Brockett from Foggy Blossom Farm! Dan Brockett creates handwoven baskets from willow grown on his 12-acre property, Foggy Blossom Farm, in Leechburg, Pennsylvania. As a grower turned self-taught artist, there is an element of companionship with, and reverence for, his material that permeates every project. From choosing the willow varieties he plants to eventually harvesting and selecting each rod for a specific basket, Dan’s desire to be in relationship with all aspects of his craft is the driving force behind his work.
