On Friday, February 6, Fiber Arts on 4th hosted the opening night for the Celebrating Community exhibition during extended hours. Over 25 talented local artists showcased their pieces in our workshop space.
About the Exhibition
To kick off our year of Handwork 2026 programming, we asked folks to share their talents and submit art that they became inspired to create within our Fiber Arts on 4th community.
Handwork 2026 is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the history and traditions of American craft during the country’s 250th year.
Craft in America, in partnership with organizations such as the Smithsonian and PBS, selected Fiber Arts on 4th to participate in this year-long celebration.
As a participating organization, we are hosting a series of workshops featuring nationally recognized and awarded instructors from across the country, in addition to free programming such as watch parties, demonstrations, and more.
People’s Choice Award Winners
Attendees faced the difficult challenge of deciding their favorite pieces to be nominated for the People’s Choice Awards.
First Place – Kathy Kocon, “Moonglow”
Kathy Kocon took home the first place prize for the People’s Choice Award for her embroidered piece titled “Moonglow.”
Kathy became inspired to create this piece after participating in Celeste Nossiter’s Colorplay workshop. She applied the color combination she developed in the class into this piece, finishing the wool felted shapes with hand sewing and embroidery stitches.
Second Place – Laura Salamy, “Every Stitch Counts”
Voters selected Laura Salamy for the second place prize for her table runner, “Every Stitch Counts.”
Laura worked on the piece during our weekly free Fiber Fun Fridays, where folks bring their fiber arts projects and find inspiration from others in our workshop space.
While the piece is primarily hand-stitched, it also features some rug-hooking along the borders, a technique which Laura teaches during workshops at Fiber Arts on 4th.
Third Place – Dana Dawson – “Learn Until Your Hands Know – Dovetail;” Chris Walker – “Dorset Buttons;” and Cassandra Weesies – “Begin”
In third place, we had a three-way tie among artists Dana Dawson, Chris Walker, and Cassandra Weesies. All three of our third place finalists created their pieces following workshops at Fiber Arts on 4th.
(Tie – Third Place)
Taught by Emily Trujillo, Dana’s entries featured Chimayo weaving techniques including Dovetail and Fast Angle.
Myra Chang Thompson’s workshops (Dorset Buttons and Beginning Multi-Shaft Loom Weaving) provided inspiration for both Chris Walker’s “Dorset Buttons” and Cassandra Weesies’s “Begin.”
All three of these workshops will be offered again at Fiber Arts on 4th later this year, so sign up for our newsletter to sign up once registrations open!
We want to see your work!
We are so grateful for the incredible spirit and talent demonstrated by our fiber arts family. Their work will be on display from February 6 through March 8.
View the gallery hours here: Exhibition Dates.
All of these artists were beginners at one point. With a little bit of help from other members of the community, they created masterpieces. We encourage you to find a workshop or join us for one of our free events. We’d love to display your work at Fiber Arts on 4th someday!
