Pin-It Draw

The Festival Society of Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization which coordinates the annual Fibre Arts Festival each October in Amherst. There are many, many volunteers who work together and contribute long hours to make the festival be the success it is. One of the most exciting things taking place this year is a Pin It draw;  each $10. ticket (which comes with a festival pin) gives you a chance to win some exquisite hand made items...and the grand prize of a trip for two to New York City!

Generously donated by Amherst's fabulous new quilt shop  Mrs Pugsley's Emporium, the trip is part of Showcase Productions annual Christmas on Broadway tours:

Showcase Productions Theatre Tours has been sharing the excitement of “Christmas on Broadway” with Atlantic Canadians for 24 years, transporting you to an exciting world of culture, fashion and wonderment. Visit Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Centre, Macy’s, Saks 5^th Ave., and almost everything from Harlem to the Financial District. 

Tour package includes: luxury coach transportation to and from your pick-up location and New York City, 7 nights accommodations (including 5 nights in the heart of New York City and 2 nights in Maine enroute), 2 breakfasts, 2 group meals, a four-hour tour of Manhattan, a TKTS voucher for a Broadway performance, and the services of two tour escorts to help you along the way. While in New York, you will stay at The Muse Hotel. The coach originates in Halifax but makes pick up stops along the way so folks may board in Truro, Amherst, Moncton and Fredericton.  There is more information on this fabulous prize on the Showcase Productions website;  details are under Tour C-2 Halifax, NS – Muse Hotel, NYC​

Pin It tickets are currently available at Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium;  during the festival they will also be available at several locations including Festival Headquarters (Town Hall).  The ticket includes a guide with artist information for the various displays on the downtown walking tour. The draw for the prizes will be made at the close of the festival on October 18, with the trip taking place November 16-23, 2014.  Make sure you get a ticket to get in on the fun!  

2014 Brochure

Little by little, information about this year's festival is being added underneath the tabs at the top of this page. Please check back often for details on the amazing workshops and displays being offered.  To whet your fibre appetite, here's a snapshot of the newly released brochure.  You may have to enlarge the zoom on your screen to read the items; a proper, downloadable version will be added soon to the festival website.  You will also find copies of the brochure popping up in various locations around town...and beyond. Enjoy!

Stay Tuned!

The many volunteers involved with the Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia are hard at work ensuring that 2014 will be the best yet.  The website will be back up soon with the full schedule of amazing events to take place in Amherst, Nova Scotia, October 14-18.  You will be wowed by what we have in store for you this year!

Reflections: 2013 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

Square Bottom Round - The Art of Basket Weaving

 

Basket weaving is the process of weaving pliable materials into a form or basket.
Baskets can be made from anything that will bend to form the basket's essential elements - base, sidewalls, and rim. Basket weaving is an ancient and widespread fibre craft, its creations both utilitarian and aesthetic.

Baskets on Display at the 'Square Bottom Round' workshop

At the 2013 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival, two regional basket makers, Meredith Fisher and Gay Hansen, offered a one-day basket weaving workshop "Square Bottom Round". Participants learned about fibres and techniques, and engaged in the very tactile 'hands-on' craft to make their own square-bottomed round baskets.

 

 

 

 

Focused fingers worked diligently under Gay and Meredith's experienced guidance. There was a quiet congenial buzz  .... a feeling of happy  productivity. One participant summed up the experience "I love baskets, never thought I could make one ... and I will - TODAY!"

 

The Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival extends a special thanks to Gay and Meredith for teaching this special fibre art and sharing their skill with festival participants. 

 

 



Reflections: 2013 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

Singily Skipping Along ... Book Launch at 2013 Festival

Cookies and Milk ... Parents and Children ... Fibre Artists and Authors .... they all gathered at Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio on Church Street on Friday afternoon, Oct. 18, to launch 'Singily Skipping Along' , a delightful children's book with text by author, Sheree Fitch, and illustrations by rug-hooking artist, Deanne Fitzpatrick.

Sheree (above) reading from 'Singily Skipping Along' and Deanne (below) signing books

 The multi-age audience was enthralled by Sheree's dramatic reading of her imaginative verse and the joyful hooked-rugs created by Deanne to illustrate the text. Young and 'not-so-young' - all were smiling - books were shared - and memories made - as the 2013 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival celebrated "Singily Skipping Along', the product of a collaboration between two talented artists.

 

Thanks to Sheree and Deanne for this vibrant beautiful book!

Reflections: 2013 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

Going Sideways: A Practical Playful Approach to Design

Instructor: Cathia Finkel

Cathia Finkel's workshop was offered at Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio on Friday, Oct. 18. Cathia set the stage, provided the materials, and encouraged participants to explore media, innovate in a supportive setting, and enjoy the creative process. An inventive buzz pervaded the studio. One participant's comments echoed the collective sentiment:

 

 "this is so relaxing .... cutting, pasting, playing with colour and shape ....

it looks like kindergarten but feels so dynamic .... and makes me so happy."

Cathia Finkel and 'Going Sideways' Participants

 

Thanks to Cathia for setting the stage and guiding the process ....

"Going Sideways" was a great success!

 

 

Call For Entries: Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia 2014

Message from the Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia

​Artwork and Interior Gallery Installations

The Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia is extending a call to fibre artists for submissions of their work --- rug hooking, quilting, felting, knitting, crochet, needle and hand work --- to display at various locations during the 6th Annual Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia being held October 14-18, 2014 in Amherst, NS. Selected artists will have their works hang in a five-day exhibition. This award-winning fibre celebration opens with a catered evening reception and showcases art at the Fibre Festival Headquarters and at various venues in the historic town

​Proposals for Independent Projects

We are inviting proposals for local artists to organize and curate their own exhibitions, or to propose an installation of an existing piece or new installation. We encourage all approaches to fibre exploration.

Workshops and Classes

The Fibre Arts Festival Society Nova Scotia is extending a call to fibre instructors who wish to lead workshops and classes. We aim to offer a wide variety to those taking part. We will provide the venue and co-ordinate schedules. Deadline is March 1, 2014 with selected artists being notified thereafter.

So, what exactly is Fibre Art?

That's a great question. Fibre art is very diverse, but for the most part, consider it anything made from perishable materials that use traditional techniques. These might include rug hooking, tapestry or thrum mittens. We have exhibited a huge variety of techniques and media including miniature punch needle, kumihimo (the fine art of Japanese braiding), quilting, knitting, embroidery, crocheting and needle felting. And, of course, due to our somewhat insatiable appetite for all things fibre, all artistic genres will be considered and we are always open to new and innovative ideas.

To download a submission form, please click here. 
For more information or to participate in this year’s event, please contact the coordinator: coordinator@fibreartsfestival.com