Needles Galore

La Yarn Bomb-baa

2020, Acrylic yarn, powder-coated topiary wire, netting. Three pieces, various dimensions

location: Jamsetown philomenian library, front lawn, corner of North road & Swinburne Street

Artist’s Statement

Needles Galore is a Jamestown Community knitting group, meeting at the library twice monthly. It is a group of beginner and experienced knitters who have created a number of projects for organizations like hospice, hospitals and animal shelters, provides informal assistance on projects, celebrates fiber crafts at World Wide Knit in Public Day at Beavertail each June, and has sponsored yarn swaps and “knitapaloozas” at the library to mention a few of our activities. This public arts piece is a collaboration with the members of our group. Historically, Jamestown was settled as a sheep farming and agricultural community and culture. Our piece uses yarn and life-size models of sheep.

"Yarn Bombing”, an international phenomenon, attempts to bring life, warmth and a feeling of belonging. It celebrates the philosophy of "quilting bees" in modern times and reflects on the historical aspect of communities of women working and crafting together.

Biography

Needles Galore is a Jamestown Library-sponsored group of knitters who have met biweekly under the guidance and leadership of Nancy Mowbray for years. While membership is informal, the group is currently composed of Nancy Mowbray, Eva Ambroz, Peggy Burse, Billie Cabral, Joan Caley, Carol Crafts, Barbara Cunha, Alma Davenport, Cynthia Flagg, Donna Fogarty, Anita Girard, Jeanne Girard, Sybile Gunnarsson, Ilse Hill, Jackie Lampasona, Kathy Merrill, Jan Murphy, Sandy Paterson, Linda Point, Betty Purdum, Chris Richard, Allie Sabalis, Wendy Shapiro, Laura Yentsch.

The group would like to thank:

Jeanne Girard, Chair, Yarn committee, for organizing the design elements of the project.

Chris Richard, Peggy Burse, Jan Murphy and Jeanne Girard for covering the armatures with wire and mesh netting, a difficult task.

Carol Crafts for her invaluable help with the Armature committee. She is the one who came up with the topiary idea.

Allie Sabalis, for the leadership of this project.