New York-based artist Olek, known for yarn-bombing, is conducting a 50-state public art project, Love Across the USA, and is coming to Raleigh. She will work with participants to create a portrait of an important North Carolina woman.
The completed fiber project will be 40 feet wide and over 20 feet tall. It will be displayed on the eastern facade of the Raleigh Convention Center in October 2017.
This month she is conducting three free workshops. Participants will learn to crochet. Yarn will be included.
After the workshop, each participant will be in charge of creating one square, a 2ft x 2ft piece of the overall artwork, which will then be sewn together to create the final mural.
Workshops
Friday, August 25th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Artspace
201 E. Davie Street, Raleigh
Saturday, August 26th, 11 – 2pm
Top Greene
401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh
Saturday, August 26th, 6 – 9pm
VAE
309 W Martin St, Raleigh
You may also contact Kelly McChesney at flandersart@mac.com or 919-757-9533 with questions
Here is some more about the project:
Project Beginnings: In 2016, Olek and her NYC community came together to create a project in support of a future female leader. In the weeks leading up to the election, the team met to crochet, listen to podcasts, and share their thoughts on women’s rights, equality, and freedom of speech. It inspired the artist to create a project that would celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary women from throughout U.S. history.
Love Across the USA is a community public art project with the goal of bringing the community together through open workshops and public art installations. It is only as a united group that we can promote positive women’s voices and create real change. Just as many loops connect to create a strong crocheted fabric, we are stronger together. To date, portraits of Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman have been created in New York State.
