Ray Comstock used natural dyes to make this quilt depicting water vessels. It is one of many Northwoods Fiber Guild pieces on display through July 26, 2009 at Johnson Heritage Post. Handmade quilts end up softer to the touch than machine-made quilts, Comstock says.
A giant quilt by local artisan Ray Comstock greeted visitors to the opening of the Northwoods Fiber Guild show at Johnson Heritage Post the evening of Friday, June 26, 2009. A large crowd of people milled around enjoying that and other quilts, hand-dyed batiks, colorful braided rugs, and woolen knitwear made by members of the guild.
In the room featuring paintings by Anna C. Johnson, mother of gallery donor Lloyd K. Johnson, the crowd enjoyed a bountiful spread of fruits, cheeses, sweets (including incredible cream puffs from Sam’s Club), and a wide variety of vegetables not always available in Grand Marais (Did you know fresh asparagus can be not only delicious but tender as well?).
A lot of people spent time taking in the rich colors and delicate fabric of a batik prayer flag by Korey Thompson. An explanation beside it said, “Prayer flags are used in many cultures to symbolize love and blessing. It is said that air currents moving the flags actually refresh and increase the intentions of these good wishes.”
Leftt: Linda Chappell standing in front of her quilt at the June 26, 2009 opening of the Northwoods Fiber Guild show at Johnson Heritage Post. The quilt is made of many intricate batik fabrics, but she did not batik them herself, she said. That would have added a great deal of time to a project that already took a great deal of time! Right: This Voyageur hat and scarf made by Linda Bauer are part of the Northwoods Fiber Guild show that opened June 26, 2009 at Johnson Heritage Post.
Ray Comstock, who splits his time between Duluth and Tom Lake, was asked what he gets out of creating fiber art. “It’s the sort of thing you can sit down and just lose yourself in,” he said. “[It’s nice to] feel it all come together.” Hand-done quilts end up being softer than machine-made quilts, he said. Comstock has been creating quilts since 1993.
According to its brochure, the Northwoods Fiber Guild brings together artisans from Silver Bay to Thunder Bay and represents skill levels from beginner to professional. They represent a wide variety of fiber arts, including spinning, knitting, birch bark basketry, beadwork, felting, papermaking, and, of course, quilt-making.
Each December, the guild showcases its work at an open house at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The open house is a hit with kids as well as adults, because visitors are given the opportunity to try their hands at some of the crafts. The guild encourages young artists by offering free workshops in the winter months and offers scholarships to local students interested in developing fiber craft skills.
The Northwoods Fiber Guild meets on the fourth Tuesday of September, November, January, March, and May at 7:00 p.m. in the Congregational Church basement.
The Johnson Heritage Post show will run through Sunday, July 26 and can be seen 1:00- 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays.
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