Community Corner

Fiber And Folk Art Fair Celebrates Handmade Work

Knitting, crocheting, beading, quilting and weaving all showcased during the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair.

From knitting to crocheting, to felting and beading, to quilting and weaving, the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair will showcase fiber arts. The fifth annual event will be held June 24-26 in the Expo Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake.

Organizers expect to draw about 3,000 to 4,000 people.

"We attract quite a few people from the surrounding states -- Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri -- and from as far away as France, Spain, Germany and Canada," said Carol Cassidy-Fayer of Crystal Lake, founder and president of the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair.

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"The theme of the fair is 'Come Celebrate the Work of Your Hands.' The fair is about folks from all over the country gathering to celebrate the “gentle arts” of fibers -- not just one fiber art, but ALL fiber arts," said Cassidy-Fayer.

She said the event is very diverse.

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"We have collected 88 fiber businesses from all over the country and brought them to Grayslake to provide materials that fuel the many passions of fiber artists," said Cassidy-Fayer. "Most fiber artists are eager to learn more about their discipline. That is why we have scheduled 78 workshops featuring nationally recognized teachers."

The fair will feature fiber art competitions and exhibits, workshops, as well as performances daily by professional folk musicians. The fiber marketplace will have 112 exhibitor booths

"We recognize and emphasize that the work of our hands has value -- we do this through our exhibits, fashion shows and scholarship -- elements not found at many other fiber arts events," said Cassidy-Fayer.

Exhibits include a garment competition, do-it-yourself fashion show, fine art exhibit and vintage handbag exhibit. New this year will be a fleece judging competition.

Fiber artists instructors will conduct 78 workshops, covering 19 different fiber art related subjects, including dyeing, spinning, knitting, crochet, quilting and basketmaking. While many of the workshops are filling, attendees may sign up for workshops at the fair.

“I started the fair because I want people to understand the value of, and celebrate, the work of their hands,” she said.

The fair has awarded $10,000 in scholarship money since its inception, in partnership with sponsor Toni Neil of The Fold in Marengo. This year, four students enrolled in fiber arts programs around the United States will receive $6,000 in scholarships.

Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Admission is $10 per day, $25 for three days and free for workshop participants. For more information, visit www.fiberandfolk.com.

Sschedule for the 2011 Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair:

Friday, June 24
10 a.m., Fair opens
10 a.m.–noon, Fleece Competition judging
11 a.m.–5 p.m., Do-It-Yourself Fashion Show, Exhibitor demonstrations in Handworker’s Hangout
11 a.m-12:30 p.m., Main stage music: Compas
12:30 p.m.–2 p.m., Main stage music: Pete Jonsson
noon, Fleece sale starts, runs through 2 p.m. Sunday.
6 p.m. Fair closes

Saturday, June 25
10 a.m., Fair opens
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Do-It-Yourself Fashion Show, Exhibitor demonstrations in Handworker’s Hangout
11 a.m.–noon, Main stage music: Trillium
Noon–2 p.m., Main stage music: Small Potatoes
1 p.m., Fleece competition awards announced
1:15 p.m., Garment competition and fashion show in Handworker’s Hangout
6 p.m., Fair closes

Sunday, June 25
10 a.m., Fair opens
11 a.m.–3 p.m., Do-It-Yourself Fashion Show, Exhibitor demonstrations in Handworker’s Hangout
1 p.m., Fine Arts Awards Announced, Vintage Handbag Exhibit Honorable Entries Announced, Scholarship recipients announced
2 p.m., Fleece Sale closes
4 p.m., Fair closes

Fine Arts and Vintage Handbag exhibits on display during fair hours. There will also be workshops, mini classes and a vendor marketplace.

"Fiber arts are folk art in many respects, and we welcome other types of folk art to the Fair," said Cassidy-Fayer. "We believe that a Fair should delight all the senses, beyond the visual and tactile qualities traditionally associated with fiber arts. With great music and good food rounding out the weekend, you’ll want to stay awhile at the fair and let the world slip on by."


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