A variety of handcrafted fibre arts will be a feast for the eyes in the Sheep River Library’s latest exhibit.
The Sheep Creek Weavers are showcasing an array of their creations in the Turner Valley library’s art gallery until Sept. 29.
The exhibit celebrates four decades of existence with a ruby theme that they’re calling 40 Plus and Fancy Free.
Items on display will include blankets, quilts, embroideries, needle and thread, spinning, weaving, felted pieces, jewelry and beaded work.
“We have got so many talented members that any piece is outstanding,” said member Kathy Sosnowski, of Calgary. “It’s amazing to have this much talent in a guild.”
Sosnowski said the dynamic group consists of more than 80 members from across the region with a wide range of skills in knitting, weaving, dying, felting and crocheting.
“It’s a very eclectic show, which is very unusual,” she said. “We’ve got people making pictures in fibre instead of with paint. It’s just a feast for the eyes.
“I find varying textures is very calming and it keeps your eyes roaming all the time and there is something new around the next bend.”
This isn’t the first time the Sheep Creek Weavers have displayed their creations for the public at the Sheep River Library, said Sosnowski.
In fact, it’s becoming somewhat of a tradition.
“Every year it’s different themes,” she said. “Last year we challenged people to think outside of their medium. We’ve got so many artists who go avant garde and they explore the boundaries of their art.”
The Sheep Creek Weavers is a group of like-minded men and woman of varying ages who get together once a month at the Millarville Race Track with a common interest, said Sosnowski.
“You become a member and you can’t ever stop because of the camaraderie we’ve got and the acceptance of everybody for what they do,” she said. “We truly admire what each individual does and we feed on the enthusiasm of others. People say, ‘Mother used to do this’ or ‘I’ve been wanting to do this.’ They may want to embark on it themselves.”
Turner Valley resident Cheryl Renwick has been a member of the Sheep Creek Weavers for 30 years and has loved every minute of it.
“It’s just a fantastic group of all ages and backgrounds,” she said. “It’s just amazing how it’s kept going for 40 years and it’s one of the biggest guilds in Alberta.”
Renwick said she is eager to showcase the guild’s creations with the public again this year.
“We think it’s very important to share it with the community and show people that these arts and crafts are continuing on,” she said.
“I don’t think a lot of people are aware of what goes into making clothes or fibre or quilts. It gives people an up-close personal look at what we do.”
The Sheep Creek Weavers hosted a spinning competition during the Priddis & Millarville Fair in mid-August and found there was great interest, said Renwick.
“People were fascinated watching how a spinning wheel works and how a loom works and how threads are intertwined to make fibre,” she said. “A lot of people don’t stop to think about what goes into it.”
Renwick said she joined the group as a weaver, but over the years also learned to spin and felt. She’s made a variety of items from tea towels to scarves.
“I find today’s work is such a disposable world that I really love the slow pace of manufacturing something that is going to last forever,” she said. “I weave them for other people and do sell them at a couple of markets. You weave more than what you can save for yourself or give to your family.”
Renwick said she started out taking weaving lessons in Bragg Creek and then the Leighton At Centre before joining the Sheep Creek Weavers and learning new skills.
“Once you get involved there you seem to migrate to the other things as well,” she said.
Some of the pieces on display at 40 Plus and Fancy Free will be available for sale and others are only on display.
“I think they are going to be quite amazed at the skill level that’s involved in our guild,” she said. “Some of the people who have been doing it for years, it’s just mind blowing.”
To learn more about the Sheep Creek Weavers go to sheepcreekweavers.com
The Sheep River Library is open Monday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
