Textile artists land their ‘UFOs’ for PT exhibition

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Peninsula Fiber Artists tried something new for their current exhibit. Ten members filled identical brown paper bags with their unfinished, unwanted projects and then anonymously swapped the contents. They challenged each other to transform the rejects (dubbed “UnFinished Objects” or UFOs) into collaboratively completed works of art.

The now-finished artwork, on display in the Fiber Habit window at 675 Tyler St., includes quilts (both pieced and painted), a vessel, a bag, and handmade books. Several pieces are available for purchase.

This idea came about at the suggestion of Evette Allerdings, a Peninsula Fiber Artists silk painter from Port Angeles.

Allerdings facilitated the distribution of unidentified empty bags to the participating artists, who then placed their UFOs inside and exchanged the parcels at random; no one knew who got whose UFO. The artists had a relatively short time frame to complete the projects.

During the final meeting, the finished items were revealed, as were their original creators. Since these pieces were produced by textile artists, they showcase a wide assortment of mixed mediums that include paper, thread, fabric, beads, and even charms.

Peninsula Fiber Artists member Debra Olson of Port Townsend worked on two projects: “Liisa’s Vessel” and “Butternut Squash,” a wall piece featuring techniques such as overdying and stamping. The unfinished materials for both projects were provided by fellow artist Liisa Fagerlund.

Retired nurse Terri Wolf made “Life Sequenced,” turning conventional quilt blocks created by Caryl Fallert-Gentry into something inspired by DNA.

In turn, Fallert-Gentry turned Allerdings’ UFO into a dye-painted quilt with an iris flower design.

“I found the rectangular shape challenging to work with,” Fallert-Gentry recalled, “so I squared it up and made a border that combined the green silk painted by [Allerdings] and the silk I had painted in deep jewel tones.” The end result features both artists’ distinct styles.

The walk-by exhibit will be up through the end of June.