Fibre art was the star of the show during a special event Sunday at the Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH).
Fibre Fun Day included art exhibits, vendors, crafts and hands-on activities for kids.
Tanya Cunnington brought her son, Cal Shilling, to the museum for some hands-on fun.
“It sounded like a really cool afternoon,” said Cunnington, a local artist. “I love that OMAH does something like this. It’s great for a Sunday afternoon.”
On the third floor, vendors were selling their work and showing visitors how they craft their creations.
“This is really important. Fibre art needs to be more appreciated,” said Emily Dilecce, who runs Thread Head, selling her handmade embroidery.
Dilecce, who sells her work in the OMAH gift shop and online, described her style as a “modern approach” to embroidery.
“It was always done more as a craft as opposed to artwork,” she said, noting that type of work has evolved over the years to become more artistic.
Sunday’s event featured those who are relatively new to the art form, like Dilecce, and others who have been at it for years.
Suzanne Chaddock is a member of the Orillia Sunshine Rug Hookers, a non-profit group that has been around for more than 40 years.
Being among so many fellow fibre artists Sunday was a positive experience, she said.
“People aren’t aware of all the hobbies that are out there. Here, people can gather in one place and learn what else is out there,” Chaddock said.
There were plenty of people passing through during the event, “which tells me (OMAH) should do this more often,” she added.
Those who missed out on the fun can still check out some of the fibre art at OMAH. An exhibit called Fibre Content is on display until April 26.
There is also an exhibit called At Risk, featuring work by Tracey Lawko, on display on the second floor until April 11.
