Melissa Yoder Ricks
Fiber artist Melissa Yoder Ricks spins, knits, weaves, dyes and creates with yarn and fiber at Wild Hare Fiber Studio in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. In addition to participating in many festivals along the east coast, she shares her love of fiber arts by teaching workshops and retreats, including at John C Campbell Folk School and the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Melissa is also a regular contributor to PLY magazine and has had her work featured in Knitters and Spin-Off magazines. A native of NC and Duke University graduate, Melissa finds the meditative, creative properties of fiber arts to promote spiritual and mental health.
Community Weaving Project
Join fiber artist Melissa Yoder Ricks in the creation of a circular woven mandala/dreamcatcher. You may bring found objects from nature or select from yarns, fibers and ribbons provided. No previous weaving experience required – Melissa will show you what to do and guide the overall design. Work will continue over several days as the work of many hands brings the weaving into completion. Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings in the Art Tent. Finished weaving will be sold via silent auction to benefit the Wild Goose Festival (bid form in the Art Tent).
Yarn Bombing
Patches of hand knitted or crocheted yarn sent in prior to the festival will be assembled and tranformed into ‘yarn graffiti’ or cozies to cover unexpected objects in the art tent and beyond. Look for this whimsical form of temporary urban ‘street art’ throughout the weekend. Send in your knitted or crocheted contributions ahead of time (please send prior to July 1st to Wild Hare Fiber Studio, 330 Virginia Avenue, Front Royal VA 22630, or bring to the art tent by Friday morning. Colorful square and rectangles of any size or type of yarn are welcome. After the festival these will be saved for next year’s event.