ALASKA FIBER FESTIVAL HISTORY

2004

A small and dedicated group of volunteers, including Janie Odgers, Mary Hertert, Lynnette Motz, Nancy Dobson, Pat Sims, Roxanne Stoner, Debbie Boyce, Mary Hertert  and  Pat Reese began the first Alaska Fiber Festival.  Our goal was to bring national and international art quilt teachers and fiber and fashion exhibits to Alaska.

One of the main components of the 2004 Festivals was an Australian fiber exhibit that traveled to Alaska with Dawn Toomey and several other displays from New Zealand.  Additionally, we set up fiber challenges, displayed an amazing group of dolls from across the country, presented a quilt show and a wonderful fashion show. 

For four days UK fiber artists Jan Beaney & Jean Littlejohn,  http://www.doubletrouble-ent.com/, known as the Double Trouble Gals, and Lorraine Torrence, http://www.lorrainetorrence.com, from Seattle, WA taught art quilt classes.  Additionally, amazing dyer Joan Morris, http://www.dartmouth.edu/~theater/people/morris.html,   taught her craft with all classes and events held at O’Malley on the Green.

That first Festival was a huge success!

Two Years Later 2006

We were ready to do it again and Gail Ramsay and Pat Sims joined us as we brought a stunning garment exhibit from Korea as part of our fashion show held at the Millenium Hotel.  There also was a postcard quilt challenge with entries of wee little quilts from around the world as well as the popular Art Bra Challenge.  This time the quilt show, challenges and Market were held at the ConocoPhillips Atrium.

The array of world-class teachers included Velda Newman, http://veldanewman.com/, Ann Johnston, http://www.annjohnston.net, Larkin vanHorn, http://www.larkinart.com/ and Australian Dawn Toomey.

The Festival also featured the work of the very talented Alaskan art quilter Ree Nancarrow of Denali, Alaska

Two More Years Pass,  2008

We reached out to the UK again for one of our teachers, the wonderfully entertaining Jenny Rament, http://www.jennierayment.com/.  US teachers included NYCouture artist Kenneth King, http://www.kennethdking.com/ and Marilyn Moore who showed us how to incorporate wire into art quilts.

Parka challenges, art quilt challenges and featured Alaskan fiber artists Beth Cassidy, http://www.slideshare.net/mollieb/alaska-fiber-festival-part-two-292187, and Judy Hopkins were all part of the 2008 Festival

Two More Years Pass 2010

We achieved non-profit 501C3 status and partnered with Art Services North to present a wearable art-spectacular fashion show at the Sheridan Hotel!

Teachers at the 2010 Festival were the very talented Rachel Clark, http://www.rdkc.com/, Carol Taylor caroltaylorquilts.com/ and Kathyanne White, http://www.kathyannewhite.com/.

 We also brought the beautiful SAQA exhibit and local challenges like "Through the Knothole"  and the ever popular market place to our presentation and Market at the ConocoPhillips Atrium 2010.

2012

Here we are again!  This year’s Festival is focused on the wonderfully exciting and popular fashion show again partnering with Art Sevices North.  Also bringing the very talented Sean Purucker as our featured artist. Volunteers include Janie Odgers, Gail Ramsey, Elise Rose, Pat Reese, Pat Sims, Cam Lambert.