Above and Beyond

The Worcester Center for Crafts’ Krikorian Gallery presents…

ABOVE AND BEYOND | Northeast Feltmakers Guild Exhibit

On View: October 9 – November 1, 2025
Closing Reception: November 1, 3-5pm

Whether acting beyond expectations, rising above troublesome circumstances or viewing the world above, people have always questioned what lies beyond our view. Members of the Northeast Feltmakers Guild embrace the theme “Above and Beyond” to encompass a multitude of literal and figurative interpretations. Using sheared sheep’s wool as their primary medium, felters incorporate a variety of techniques to create wall pieces and sculptures that go beyond expectations.

“Above and Beyond” is the third in a sequence of exhibitions, presented by the Northeast Feltmakers Guild that began with “Beneath the Surface” and continued with “From the Ground Up”. This will be the final exhibit in the series.

Felt is an old craft with artifacts dating back 5,000 years found in Central Asia, Turkey, Greece, Rome, and Scandinavia. Working with unspun sheep fiber, and with the addition of plant and other animal fibers, the wool is laid in different directions, wet down with soap and water and agitated through direct touch, or rolling, to join together. It is then fulled, or shrunk, so the fibers form a strong, tight bond.  Nuno felting works the wool fibers into an existing piece of cloth, usually silk or cotton.  Needle felting uses a barbed needle, similar to a porcupine quill, to entangle fibers. The more we touch an area with the warmth of our hands, the more densely the fibers join together.  Responding to our touch, we work the fibers to meet our vision.

GALLERY HOURS:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am-5pm
Wednesday: 10am-5pm
Thursday: 10am-5pm
Friday: 10am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm