Fiber art is a category of art defined by the use of flexible fibers such as cotton, yarn and other fabrics. Fiber artists use methods such as dyeing, weaving and stitching to create their art pieces, according to fiber artist Susan Taber Avila. Fiber art also provides usable and wearable items such as bed linens, rugs, wall hangings and clothing items.
Mixed media art focuses on using multiple techniques and items to create a single, unified art piece, according to the Art Is Fun website. Mixed media artists may combine watercolor, ink drawings and embroidery into a piece. Many mosaic and collage artists also incorporate 3-D or found objects into their work to create mixed media art. One of the most interesting things about mixed media work is that there are no rules and any method or combination of materials may be used.
Indiana is home to a major annual fiber arts festival known as the Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival. The Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival is held each summer on the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Indiana. The show dubs itself a "celebration of all fiberarts," according to the festival's website. In addition to offering stalls of artists for guests to explore, the Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival aims to educate the public about fiber art and encourage a new generation of budding artists. The festival offers a series of fiber arts classes over the weekend focusing on topics such as various knitting techniques, using cotton in fiber art and felting yarn. Additionally, novice artists have the opportunity to earn a scholarship by participating in the festival.
Hoosier Hills Fiber Arts Festival
hoosierhillsfiberartsfestival.com
Indiana is also home to an annual mixed media art show celebrating the use of found or repurposed items. The Deja Vu art show is held each fall in downtown Columbus, Indiana at the Yes Cinema and Conference Center. This show features artists who use "junk" to create their art pieces, according to A Greener Indiana. Some of the repurposed items commonly used include toys, newspaper and broken china. Work ranges from jewelry pieces to large-scale collages.
Deja Vu Art Show
812 376 2539
kid-at-art.com
Nebraska also hosts an annual fiber arts festival called the Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair. This show, held each autumn at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell, Nebraska, features a variety of fiber artists sharing and selling their work in the marketplace. The show also offers knitting, crochet, quilting, spinning and weaving classes open to the public. Another interesting feature of Scotts Bluff Fair is the petting zoo of fiber animals. Visitors are encouraged to interact with llamas, yak, alpacas and angora bunnies, animals that traditionally provide fur for fiber arts. History is incorporated into the event with available tours of a historic sheep farm.
Scotts Bluff Valley Fiber Arts Fair
Donna Thompson, SBFVAF Board of Directors
308-635-2198
nebraskafiberfair.com