For centuries, those who knitted, crocheted, spun, wove, felted, sewed, quilted, or otherwise created with fiber experienced a sense of calmness, stress relief, community connections and general well being.
The members of the Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild have been enjoying that general wellbeing for fifty years.
The decade that included the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and battles over women’s rights was kicked off by the first Earth Day in April of 1970. Earth Day caused people to think about the importance of preserving the natural world, which extended into a desire to also preserve the rich history of fiber arts, because they were made from natural materials.
At the same time, the 1970s were also the years of the polyester pantsuit and leisure suits for men. Polyester doubleknits never wrinkled. Polyester was a “wonder fabric”, and yet Earth Day made people wonder if fabrics that were created from chemicals and didn’t breathe were actually as good as manufacturers said.
The “back to the earth” movement of the 70’s arose partially as a backlash to post-World War II manufacturing hubris, but also as a fear of the grim nuclear saber rattling of the Cold War. Bestselling books in the 70s included The Foxfire Book—all six volumes. People wanted to be able to maintain themselves and their families in case of disaster, and so they learned to grow their own food, make their own clothing and tools, and build sustainable housing.
The art world was just beginning to add some traditional “crafts” to the category of fine art. Ceramics and fiber arts were finally celebrated as an ART, not just a craft. Colleges added weaving and quilting to their curriculum, and people discovered these artistic mediums.
The nation’s 200th birthday was celebrated in 1976. With it came a celebration of traditional arts and crafts. The Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild formed as part of that connection to the important history of textiles in America. And it has been celebrating textiles ever since.
It was 1975 in Olmsted County when three women with a new-found love for the fiber arts got together to spin, weave, and dye. Their goal; sharing, learning and support. They started having classes, exhibits, and events.
Over the years they added more members and more fiber arts. Felting, rugmaking, needlework, quilting and sewing became a part of the guild. With the covid pandemic, the guild was forced to meet in smaller groups. Focus Groups were created at this time, and have flourished after the limitations of the pandemic ended.
Now they have 10 different focus groups meeting each month, and one monthly guild meeting. The guild meeting always includes a short formal meeting, but the members most look forward to show and tell time and an informal time to chat with friends and see new fiber art projects. Announcements include classes and conferences coming up, trips to take (focused on fiber art), service opportunities, and who has become a grandparent for the first time.
The guild has also become a positive influence in the community. Countless hats have been knit for chemotherapy patients, prayer quilts and shawls have been given to people going through difficult circumstances, and relationships have grown as the members give of their time and talents to the Ability Building Community, kids and adults with special needs.
The guild always welcomes new members, whether you just learned to knit last week, or have been quilting with grandma since you were a kid. Guild meetings are listed on their website: zumbroriverfiberartsguild.com. There is also a list of focus groups on the website. All are welcome to attend a meeting or two for free, after that yearly dues are $40.
As a part of their big anniversary year, the guild will have two exhibits and a lecture in Rochester:
Rochester Art Center exhibit “Celebrations in Fiber” will run April 1 until March 31,2025.
The opening reception is April 4, 4 pm – 6 pm.
They will also host a fiber arts family day on Sunday, April 27, 11 am-4 pm
History Center of Olmsted County exhibit “Fiber Artists in the Zumbro River Valley” runs from May 1 – Dec 31. The opening reception for this exhibit will be on May 8, 6:30 -8:15pm. They will also have demonstration days one Saturday each month from 12-4, each month a different fiber art. Details can be found on the website.
The guild is very proud to partner with Sigma Xi for a lecture in Leighton Hall on
the Mayo Clinic Campus April 15, 7:30 pm followed by Q and A .
“Fiber Arts – Better Health at our Fingertips” will feature Dr. Scott Breitinger, Dr. Julia
Joseph-Di Caprio and Kathryn McAlister, Art Therapist and fiber artist. During the last 10- 15 years, doctors, neuroscientists and researchers have studied the “how and “why” of the health benefits of creating fiber art. The results might surprise you, and make you want to sign up for a knitting class!
