The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Fiber arts enthusiasts ‘yarn bomb’ East Hampton
EAST HAMPTON — Organizers have been working for more than a year creating whimsical crocheted and knitted adornments for the village area intended to bring attention to the shops, hoping to elicit smiles from the public.
“Take a stroll through the center of East Hampton, and you’re likely to see a pink elephant, giant loaf of bread, jellyfish, as well as other amazing objects. One reason they are amazing is they were all created from yarn,” according to Cyndi Shirshac.
Various fiber arts enthusiasts, including those from Hebron and Marlborough, joined young students from Epoch Arts in East Hampton to create this special installation, on view through July 12.
Visitors can expect to see 80 colorful and
inventive yarn creations placed along Main Street from the U.S. Post Office to the East Hampton Public Library.
“This type of event is also known as a yarn bomb, indicating the element of surprise it usually
provides,” Shirshac said. “We, being a peaceful sort of group, have chosen to call it a yarn bloom.”
International Yarn Bombing Day is June 11. This street art began in Houston when a man made knitted pieces around door handles on his store, Shirshac added. “It is now a global phenomenon displaying the makers’ talent
and humor,” she said.
The village of East Hampton has shown renewal and energy in recent years, Shirshac added. “We support our small businesses, now more than ever. Our goal is to encourage people to visit the village as we ‘open up’ after being at home. The COVID-19 pandemic has set everyone back — way back.
It will take all of us to help our businesses rebound and survive.”
The event is supported by the East Hampton Arts and Cultural Commission, Epoch Arts, the Town Council and police and fire departments. Shop merchants also embraced the concept and shared their ideas with the group, Shirshac said.