The Waterbury Library is delighted to be hosting a fabulous show called "Expressions in Wool." 15 fiber artists show their work from needle felting to 3-D creations in wool in our cafe, the children's area and on the 2nd floor. This exhibit is part of a larger project, the Vermont Wool Felting Project, whose main goal is to highlight the multiple uses of wool to the public. The project is supported by a grant from the national American Sheep Industry organization, and matched with local financial support from the Vermont Sheep and Goat Association. This project aims to provide both a venue for fiber artists and to share the functional qualities of wool with the public. As the proposal for the grant stated, wool is exceptional at absorbing sound, and often used in places for that purpose, (like the library.) So in this case, it is used both artistically and functionally. With this exhibit, the value of wool as an art medium will be on display, with the intention of educating about its sound absorbing qualities, to promote the idea it can serve both purposes in some settings – such as restaurants and other public places. Following the Sheep and Wool Festival last fall, the exhibit has been traveling around the state, and has just come up from The Hildene in Manchester to The Waterbury Public Library.

On Saturday, February 15th from noon until 2 pm, the library will host an open house to view the numerous works. Kimberly Hagen from the UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and curator of the show will present at 1 p.m. on the history of sheep in Vermont and the journey of wool usage from its earlier days to the present. Hagen has been a shepherdess for 35 years in central Vermont. Although she no longer runs around with sheep, she continues to work with wool and enjoys sharing its wonderful qualities with others. She is a Grazing Specialist at the University of Vermont Extension, educating farmers about good grazing practices and believes Vermont's hillside farms are a good match for sheep. Following Hagen, will be artist Jennifer Brown from Jeffersonville, who will demo needle felting and show various stages of her projects. Refreshments will be served.

Oct 13, 2024, 9 AM to 3 PM

Oct 15, 2024, 6:30 to 8 PM

Oct 17, 2024, 6 to 7:30 PM