There is a lot to see and love in Ocala, Florida, this December! An exhibit titled "Homemade, Handmade, The Natural: The Transformative Nature of Fiber Art" is on display all month at the Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown. This hanging by Kevin Mierez-Galo features yarn, roving, faux fur and rope combined into "Brown is the Warmest Color II", hung on driftwood. So much inviting texture that it's hard to comply with the "Please do not touch" sign!
"Where Style is a Pleasure" by Stephanie Mutarelli is a humorous take on Publix Supermarket's slogan, "Where Shopping is a Pleasure." She crafted her garment from 8 reusable shopping bags plus a sub wrapper. Would you wear it? I think I might enjoy a runway twirl in it.
My "Homage to Menswear" was accepted into the exhibit. This crazy-quilt style wall hanging was pieced using men's ties, tie labels, and fancy machine stitching. My husband was a banker and he and a coworker contributed old ties to my collection. One tie provides a clue to their careers, while another features a child's drawing that was featured in UNICEF merchandise some years ago. Can you spot both?
A riot of colorful acrylic yarns combine to make Charlita Whitehead's "Curves of Escape", a rug hooking art piece.
"Timber (Log #1)" is the entry of Charlita Whitehead and Jordan Shapot. It features hand tufted yarn on a handmade wood armature. So creative! And again, it invites touch. But I restrained myself with effort!
"Denim Portrait of a Horse" presents denim in a whole new light! Combined with painting on canvas, this piece was made by Stacie Pedrick. Ocala being "The Horse Capital of the World", it's always fun to see equine art, especially in fabric. There are more fiber items to see in this exhibit and a fun gift shop that features the work of local artists. Many of those items also feature equine art.
And just 10 minutes or so east of downtown, you can find more fiber art on display at the Appleton Musuem of Art. They are featuring the work of Betty Ford-White in an exhibit titled "Under the Cover of Knowledge". Her specialty is Pine Cone quilts- bed coverings or wall art made by stitching concentric rings of folded fabric pieces known as Prairie Points.
Also referred to as Pine Burr, Target, or Cuckle Burr quilts, they reflect a tradition dating back to African American culture in the Carolinas. Made by hand, this style of quilt is heavy!
One of her quilts, "Betty and Butler Cuckleburr", designed by her husband, features 20 two-dollar bills folded and stitched into the piece. I challenge you to find them when you see the quilt. I couldn't. This exhibit is on through January 2026. And the museum also has a delightful gift shop with unique items.
So, it's a fiber two-fer in the heart of Central Florida. Come visit if you can. If not, I hope you enjoyed this armchair visit! Happy holidays!
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