Focus on Fiber at Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery

Hand dyed yarn using eucalyptus leaves.

The final exhibit of the season at Whitefish Bay Farm Gallery features the work of 10 local and regional fiber artists. This exhibit opens on Wednesday, September 9 and continues through Sunday, October 18. With a season long focus on natural fibers in this International Year of Natural Fiber, the gallery continues its 28th seasons featuring weavings and other textiles.

Specially created for this exhibit are 12 handwoven pieces and several skeins of handspun yarn by Washington Islander, Virginia Thomas. Thomas uses natural organic cotton, silk and locally produced wool and mohair in her weavings and her handspun yarn.

In addition to Thomas’s work, the exhibit features handwoven fleece rugs by Julie Guilette, felted bags and totes by Karin Hoffman-Hoagland, handwoven and handknit scarves, shawls and mittens by Christopher Vuco, woven and felted pieces by Nora Ahlen, felted wall art by Rosalie Dittmann, wrist warmers by Carol Rhoades, snuggle blankets by Richard Regnery, handknit scarves and vests by Sandy DeMaster, handspun yarn by Ginnie Killough, plus handwoven and handknit mohair pieces by Judy Picken.

Spinner, Gretchen Regnery, will be spinning naturally colored and naturally dyed wool during gallery hours. During the season, Regnery has been dyeing the farm’s own Corriedale wool using rhubarb leaves, dandelions, mullein, cochineal, eucalyptus, artichoke, avocado pits and peels, and buckthorn along with several mushroom species.

In addition to the fiber work on display, the Gallery features photography, oil paintings, wood turnings, pottery and jewelry. Gallery hours are noon – 5 pm (closed Tuesdays). The gallery is located 1 ½ miles east of Highway 57 on County WD on the way to Whitefish Dunes State Park.