A Whole Lot of HOOPLA at Your Washington Public Library!

What is all the HOOPLA about? Well, Fiber Arts February 2025 is about to launch and the largest piece that has ever been created by the Washington fiber art community is now installed at the Washington Public Library! Hoopla is 81 individual hoop art pieces by 18 fiber artists joined into one piece in the skylight area. There are also hoops installed on the skylight walls and on the second level windows. It is grand and colorful and carries the spirit of Fiber Arts February. It is also a dream come true for me. Stop by and visit it during the month of February and beyond.

Our annual celebration is filled with exhibits this year. The Cedar Valley Chapter of the Embroiders Guild of America is showing off their exquisite works of embroidery in This is What We Do and You Can, Too! The display is presented in the foyer cabinet when you enter the library. Next, head upstairs to the second level to view Comfort Me, an exhibit of community quilts in the Helen Wilson Gallery. You can also see the Clever Little Books display in the small cabinet and Scales & Tails in the larger cabinets. The book display is creations made by participants in a January workshop and includes handmade books by our instructor, Mary Patterson. The Scales & Tails display is a partnership between the WPL and PAWS & More to encourage pet adoption. Kids (1-10 years) can adopt one of the fiber pets in the exhibit and also learn about real pet adoption. Finally, take a trip to the lower level of the library to Art Underground to view two magnificent macramé exhibits. Mary Maxted is showing Tied Together: The Beauty of Mary’s Macrame Creations and Natali Miller from Nat’s Knots is showing Modern Macrame.

The library is able to offer some fun, festive, free programs with the support of our Washington Public Library Foundation and our partnerships with Art Domestique and Studio on the Square. We kick off the month with a three-part class in the Make IT Place. Quilt Block Sewing with Jean Frazer will be offered on Feb. 5, 6, 7 from 5-6:30 p.m. In these three free sessions, Jean will take you through the cutting out and sewing together of a quilt block. We have six spots available and you may register on the events calendar at www.washington.lib.ia.us. You will also find the list of supplies needed there.

On Friday, Feb. 7 at noon the Sticks & Strings group will meet for some fellowship and time to work and share current fiber art projects. We will also have our potholder looms out and loop supplies to create your own free potholder.

Our partnership with Art Domestique this year includes a fantastic quilt display by artist Marykay Hymes at their gallery as well as a presentation on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m. Marykay will give A Journey of 10,000 Stitches presentation and a gallery walk afterward. This is also the perfect way to start our planned Fiber Arts February Quilt Walk. The Quilt Walk will run Thursday, Feb. 13 from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can proceed from the United Presbyterian Church (209 E. Main St.) to Art Domestique (118 S. Iowa Ave.) to the Washington Public Library (115 W. Washington St.) to view many community quilts and the quilt art of Marykay Hymnes. Pick up a ticket to get punched at all locations to win a free quilt!

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Our ever-popular Recycled Runway will be offered to 5th-12th graders again. On Friday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m., students can come create their own fashion piece with recycled books, magazines, newspapers, tape, string, etc. They always make something wonderful and often wearable!

Our partnership with Studio on the Square will offer two free workshop opportunities. Nancy Albert and June Henderson will give a Dreamcatchers Workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. There are 10 spots available in each class and all supplies are provided. Register on the events calendar at www.washington.lib.ia.us. Note that the studio is upstairs at 106 1/2 W. Main St.

Kids can come and learn the art of potholder weaving on Friday, Feb. 28 at 1:45 p.m. Our Friyay Funday activity will give kids the opportunity to learn the skill of weaving and they will go home with a potholder they create.

Fiber Arts February is possible only with the help of those in our community and surrounding communities who have a love for fiber and textiles and are willing to share their talents and pieces. Call 319-653-2726 if you have any questions and I hope you will come out and enjoy the many opportunities to celebrate Fiber Arts February 2025 with us!