Fiber Arts Social gathers makers at Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant library
Like-minded creatives can work on their weaving projects and meet others in a free-form setting
The social event will be open to all skill levels, welcoming every kind of fiber creation (Rebecca Grant/Pexels)
From knitting and crocheting to weaving and sewing, the Vancouver Public Library has it all.
The library’s Mount Pleasant Branch will host a Fiber Arts Social to bring together makers to work on their projects on July 7.
Emily Gow, the Mount Pleasant library’s branch head, says the idea to create an event with all things fiber came from community suggestions.
While attending an event, a community librarian asked people what activities their dream library would offer, Gow says.
A repeated ask was to create a space where people could get together to do fiber arts and share ideas, rather than attend a workshop.
“I think the weavers, in particular, were starting to feel a little bit left out from a lot of the gatherings within the city,” Gow says.
There will be a facilitator, but the event will be free-form so attendees can choose how the ball unravels, Gow says, adding that there will also be opportunities to swap supplies.
“Everyone is welcome to bring whatever they’re working on — doesn’t matter the medium. They can work on them together while they chat, get to know other people, and ask questions,” she says.
Since the event is not a workshop, people will not be taught how to do the activity, but all skill levels are welcome.
“It could be the first time you’ve ever knit a dish cloth, or you could be an advanced colour work artist — everyone’s welcome,” Gow says.
As Vancouver gets more and more expensive, she adds that third spaces become more important.
“One of the things that the library can provide is that sort of space and moment of connection, so that’s what we’re hoping people will get from [the social],” she says.
Gow and the team hope that people leave feeling positive about their art and building community within the city, and that the library can continue events like the arts social.
“At the Vancouver Public Library, our mission is [to create] a free place for everyone to discover, create, and share ideas, and information. So, programs like this completely hit our mission,” she says.
“Not only can people learn from each other and create together, but it also builds community in a free spot where everyone is welcome.”
For tickets, visit www.bit.ly/fiberartssocial.
