Dust off your knitting needles and crochet hooks. International Knit in Public Week kicks off Saturday and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville University Museum is marking the occasion.
Individuals will be knitting and crocheting in the Stratton Quadrangle from 11 am.-1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Museum is encouraging local fiber artists to join in the fun and bring public attention to the once commonplace form of art.
The artworks, along with contributed works from the community at large, will be collected through October. All the work will be displayed October 17 as part of a “yarn bomb” or “art bomb” on the SIUE campus. The event will coincide with the Midwest Artists Art Symposium.
It is the hope of museum administrators that creations from artists will be collected from around the world. Items will be draped over sculptures and other outdoor museum property across campus. Donated pieces will be sewn together to create fiber art installation coverage. Items will be displayed on museum collection sculptures across campus.
“We would like this to be an international experience,” said Eric Barnett, University Museum director. “We’re searching for knitted and crocheted pieces from around the world.”
All pieces to be used for installation should be submitted no later than October 12. Items can be addressed to SIUE University Museum, Campus Box 1150, Edwardsville, IL 62026. For more information, contact the Museum, (618) 650-2996.