ROCKLAND — Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St., is pleased to present a special traveling exhibit "Threads of Our Lives: Maine Folk Fiber Art". The Library will display these special educational panels which illustrate how Mainers from various traditions and backgrounds carry on their folk fiber arts. The panels will be on view for the month of November at the Library during regular open hours.

In 2016, the Maine Folklife Center (MFC) at the University of Maine, Orono, launched a traveling exhibit highlighting the diversity of folk fiber arts in Maine entitled "Threads of Our Lives: Maine Folk Fiber Art." The exhibit was made possible through a National Endowment of the Arts grant the MFC received in 2015. The exhibit features four 3x7 free-standing panels: "Wabanaki," "Settlers," "New Mainers," and "Community." The panels illustrate how Mainers from various backgrounds are carrying on their fiber art traditions. For more information on the exhibit, visit www.umaine.edu/folklife/what-we-do/exhibits/threads-of-our-lives.

Additionally, the Library has invited Rockland-based WalkingWoolStudio, the fiber art studio of artist Lori Schafer, to install a Fleece-to-Fiber Art display at the Library. The installation will take the visitor through the many stages of working with a natural sheep fleece. Materials, tools, methods, resources, designs, and finished fiber art will be presented. The free exhibit is open to the public during regular Library hours throughout the month.

"Thank you to Patty and the Library for inviting me to participate in this special celebration of Maine-made fiber art," stated Lori Schafer. "I am in awe of the many makers we have right here in the Midcoast, and well beyond, as this statewide project demonstrates. The history of so many cultures comes together beautifully during a project like this. There is so much to learn from the past and the present, from our ancestors and our neighbors."

The Library also hopes to present live demos of various fiber arts throughout the month. For more information, call (207) 594-0310 or www.rocklandlibrary.org.