Fibre and textile-based crafting has more agricultural crossover than the average art form, from ties with the wool sector to farm family quilting traditions.
Now, local artists devoted to the medium are getting their moment in the spotlight in the rural community of MacGregor.
The North Norfolk-MacGregor Library is currently home to the latest exhibit by the Textile and Fibre Artists of Manitoba, including a selection of art pieces called “Textural Dimension.”
Read Also
Manitoba launches CWD tracking tool
A newly launched digital dashboard allows hunters to track where chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in Manitoba
A sign beside the display states that the art can be something woolly, bumpy, fluffy, fuzzy, prickly, barbed, ribbed, velvety or a combination of these textures. Some artists have used thread or wool, while others turned to string, felt or items from nature. These are glued, sewn or quilted onto fabric to create a wide variety of art. Some are full-sized quilts, while others are smaller pictures. Several are three-dimensional, such as the almost full-sized rooster sitting on one library bookshelf or a rendering of a sleeping baby squirrel. One wall picture includes tiny clam shells as part of an underwater scene.
The library is open for visitors wanting the view the exhibit from Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Travelling textile artists
The Textile and Fabric Artists, commonly called TFAM, is an organization devoted to producing art spanning the wide variety of options incorporating fibre or textiles. Pictures can help show the diversity of that artistic range, but a full understanding of the scope is perhaps best appreciated by a visit to one of the several displays the group puts on.
TFAM sends out several travelling displays each year to various locations, including rural stops.
The MacGregor display is on until the end of November. A different display called “Dual Impressions” will be shown at the Turtle Mountain Arts Centre in Killarney in May 2026 and at the Tiger Hills Arts Centre in Holland in 2027.
Next year’s displays also include an exhibit called “Peace” that will show from May to July in MacGregor, September and October in Pilot Mound, and November and December in Killarney.
Members of TFAM, which includes rural and out of province members, can attend meetings in person or virtually.
The group also offers periodic workshop weekends and other educational opportunities, including some that are open to non-members. See their webpage at www.tfamartists.ca for information on the events or to inquire about membership.
The webpage also includes virtual slide shows of several of the exhibits currently on display. Check these out for a sample of TFAM’s unique artwork. For those who don’t live nearby, the website is a good way to view them, but if possible, try to visit a display in person. Many of the pieces are also offered for sale.
