RURAL FIBER: Mending and Making as Creative Practice.

April 22: 12:00-5:00, Panel at 3:00 with Reception Following. . .

Join us for an exhibition and panel discussion with three fiber artists/makers. Shin-hee Chin is a fiber and mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited all over the world, including the International Quilt Museum and the Clinton Presidential Center in this past year. Her work has received numerous “Best of Show” awards and been featured in various publications. Ten pieces drawn from her ongoing series “Grassland” will be on display at The School.

Michelle Wolfe is a quilt artist living in Matfield Green and Overland Park. She and her husband, Don Wolfe, a photographer, share the studio, Wolfe Works, outside of their home in Matfield. Michelle is designing eight custom quilts to be donated to The School for beautification and sound absorption in the gymnasium.

Chase County resident, Bria Fleming’s experience as a wildland firefighter led her to start her own custom sewing business, Incidental Wildland, designing fire-resistant clothing for firefighters out in the field. Her sewing studio is in the east classroom at The School.

The panel discussion will explore the significance of sewing and fiber works in in a rural context, both traditionally and today. Sewing and quilting offers an unique perspective on questions of aesthetics given the obvious functionality of the medium. The panelists will discuss the relationship of their work to place and the potential of their craft to foster a culture of attention, care, and collective belonging to the neighbor and the land.

Live music and refreshments will follow at the end of the panel. The exhibition is on view through June 10 and can be viewed on Thursday afternoons from 1:00-5:00, Saturday mornings from 8:30-12:00, or by appointment.