Yarn for a purpose!

Something new in Fiber Arts has recently started to appear all over the world, and Hickory Museum of Art will be one of the next locations. This is Yarn Bombing.

Our North Carolina area has a long history with the Fiber Arts, and shopHMA has many artists who knit, crochet, weave, and sew. Unfortunately, these crafts are often forgotten or overlooked elsewhere despite the many community connections that they represent. From quilting circles to knitting groups, Fiber Arts has a strong connection with socialization. Many of these groups also provide a great number of items for charities including military, children in need and families having a hard time.

Yarn Bombing was once a covert street art done in the dark of night to hide from authorities while decorating public spaces that would otherwise have been overlooked. This is done by artfully wrapping a public object in yarn. Often these are knit or crochet pieces made ahead of time and placed on the object on a set date. In recent years this activity has grown into a public chance for communities to come together and bring awareness for a specific cause or area.

On June 10^th, International Knit in Public Day the community, fiber artist and neighbors alike are invited to help HMA make a portion of the SALT Block into a piece of artwork.  In partnership with Resource Warehouse, individuals of all ages will be able to make our space colorful and as creative as our community itself is. This work will remain on display through June 19^th, before being removed and the “unclaimed" yarn and other reusable materials will be donated to organizations for those in need or sent to benefit others in community.

This is a chance to remind people that Art can bring people together.  It can be a positive force in a community, not only for the aesthetics but for connections, filling needs of others, and education. We hope that you will be able to join us or this event.  You can also see more about this event on our Facebook page HERE.

New: Artist Registry

It is part of the Museum’s mission to support local artists. One way we do this is to connect the community and the area’s many amazing artists through offering some of their work in our shopHMA. That way, you can not only enjoy seeing their work, you can also take pieces of local art home with you even as you too support the creative livelihood of those artists.

You will have noticed the results of our recent physical renovations of shopHMA. However, it is not just the looks of shopHMA that have been enhanced in our continuing support of local artists, because now we are launching an online Artist Registry for the artists whose works are available for purchase in our shop. Through this Artist Registry, we are pleased to be able to tell you a little bit more about some of the artists.

The artists were invited to share interesting bits about themselves and their art, and we are now sharing this information with you. To see the Registry, please CLICK HERE. We will be continuing to update the list regularly, so keep checking back! And then come to shopHMA and make your selections from among the irresistible pieces on offer.

Varian Swieter

Varian creates both functional and decorative ceramic art.  The creator of ‘Get A Grip Stoneware™’ a unique conversation starter for any beverage you choose, finger divots are scattered over the surface giving the user a grip on the tumbler or mug.  Stoneware clay and food safe glazes are used to insure the functional ware is food safe, dishwasher safe, and can be used in the oven or microwave.

Varian also constructs free standing sculptures along with sculptures that hang on a wall.  Terracotta clay is used for sculptures and pendants, which remains porous, so you can put essential oils directly on the clay using it as a passive diffuser.

Candy Pegram

Based out of Wilmington, NC, this North Carolina Native has placed her own stamp an Southern Folk Art with her use or re purposed wood and discarded paints when she brings to life her stylized "critters" household objects and characters. With her hold colors and line use the feel of Pop Art meets Southern Folk Art in a creative and fun way that is often softened by the use of layers and distressing of the surface. 

While her subject matter may vary it takes one back to ones youth in a way that is meant to make one smile.