Barbara Roden
Free Press
In an age when almost everything is mass-produced far from where we live, there is real pleasure to be had from enjoying the handcrafted efforts of people close to home.
From now until Feb. 6, area residents have such an opportunity. The South Cariboo Weavers, Spinners, and Fibre Artists Guild are holding its “Traditional Crafts in 2016” exhibition at the Parkside Art Gallery at 401 Cedar Ave. in 100 Mile House, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Lori Frame says the guild currently has 30 members who work in many different techniques, including lace-making, knitting, quilting, fine weaving, embroidery, crocheting, macramé, and quilting.
“There’s lots of interest in felting at the moment,” Frame says, adding the exhibition features needle and wet felting, as well some 3-D felted items.
Felting workshops will be held during the exhibition, with those interested able to sign up at the Parkside.
There will also be spinners at the gallery every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., demonstrating their craft and letting people try their hand at it.
“People sometimes bring spinning wheels they have at home,” Frame says, adding the spinners can often tell where the wheel came from and whether it is, or can be made, operable.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 29 there will be weaving demonstrations, and a loom or two for people to try out, Frame notes.
“There’s at least one class of students coming by on one of the weaving days to give it a try.”
The show is made up of items that no one has seen before: either recently completed pieces, or ones that have not previously been shown publicly. Some of the items are also for sale.
Frame says there are three things they want the display to do: show that the techniques are still being practised; get people connected to the guild if they’re interested; and show off some of the beautiful creations.
The exhibition also shows all the steps involved in making some of the items, from raw material to finished product, she adds.
“People often don’t appreciate the work that goes into creating these things. The more people understand how they’re made, and the effort that goes into them, the more they’ll appreciate why they cost more than mass-produced items.”
