Oxford Fiber Arts Festival Weaves Tapestry of Culture and Fun for All Ages

The Oxford Fiber Arts Festival returns to the Powerhouse for the eighth year in a row, running Jan. 25-28.
The family-friendly festival showcases exhibits by local fiber artists, a fiber market, children’s activities, workshops and demonstrations. Admission is $2 per day. Class registration is separate, and all course descriptions and hotel information can be found at oxfordarts.com/events/fiberfest.
More than 25 classes will be offered over the three-day period, including courses in weaving, felting, knitting, crocheting, quilting, rug hooking, dyeing, tatting, and more.
The festival officially opens at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 25, with a preview market, followed by a reception at 5:30.
The market hours continue from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26th, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27.
Friday’s activities include a reception at Oxford Treehouse Gallery from 5-8 p.m.
Saturday will feature children’s activities, such as burlap weaving, straw weaving and more.
Classes and a “select market” will be offered from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28.
In conjunction with the event, renowned weaver Mary Zicafoose will show “Fault Lines,” a collection of her finest works, at the University of Mississippi Museum. She will also present a weaving lecture at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the museum, and lead a demonstration of the Ikat technique of weaving and talk about the process at 9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 26, at the Powerhouse.

In 2011, the University Museum, working with the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, decided to create coordinated exhibits that would reach beyond the museum walls and into the community. The partnership focused on an upcoming exhibit of Gees Bend Quilts, identifying community partners in the local quilters guild and Oxford’s curated fiber shop, Knit1. This coordinated effort launched the Oxford Fiber Arts Festival, which was an immediate success and helped drive out the winter doldrums with an energetic gathering of fiber fans.
In 2016, Patsy Englehart and Lynn Wells of Knit 1 passed the baton to local fiber artist Andi Bedsworth, who is now coordinating the festival through the YAC. In its mission to educate, inform, and inspire fiber enthusiasts, practitioners, and visitors, the festival has become a yearly favorite among locals and visitors who come from surrounding states to join in the festivities.

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Special to HottyToddy.com.