By Tiffany Cullen
Every Monday through Friday, members from the Fibers Force Group make their way to the West Broad St. YMCA to teach children from the local community about using creative techniques in the field of fibers.
An exhibition May 14 at 5:30 p.m. will showcase the work of the children in crochet, knitting, embroidery and beading. An initiative through the fibers department, Fibers Force exists to create a sense of unity and give fibers students the opportunity to show and promote their works in a community service atmosphere.
Members give their time and craft knowledge to instill a love of fiber arts in younger generations. Loop It Up is a nationwide partnership between the Coats and Clarke Corporation and the Warm Up America Foundation. The program began as an after school initiative in upper state New York and quickly spread throughout the country.
Loop It Up Savannah started in October 2008 and has grown into a full program teaching children from the West Broad St. YMCA After School Program and Kayton Homes Boys and Girls Club how to crochet, knit and weave natural and synthetic fibers into works of art.
Children aged 5 to 12 learn creative techniques in knitting, crochet, weaving and string beading in a positive and supporting environment. Third year fibers major Molly Lieberman, president of Fibers Force, started the fiber arts program to connect with the Savannah community to give a creative outlet to local children.
“It’s really great to see the kids learning all of the techniques and connecting them to other forms of fiber arts,” she said. “It’s awesome to see the kids get excited about embroidery and weaving.”
The exhibition showcasing the children’s works will be held at the West Broad Street YMCA May 14 at 5:30 served with light refreshments.
For more information on how to join the Loop It Up Savannah campaign or how to join the Fibers Force group, visit the group’s blog or contact them by email at fibersforce@scad.edu.
