SOFAAR So Good – New Annapolis arts group in town enjoys amazing success
It started when Cathy Malon, a retired Ontario physician now living in Annapolis Royal, wanted to utilize some of the empty rooms at the recently vacated Annapolis Royal Regional Academy (ARRA).
An avid cross-stitcher, she found a local fibre artist, Grace Butland, who shared her vision for a place that fibre artists and crafters could work, teach, demonstrate or just hang out together. The ARRA plan never materialized but the idea lived on. A small group of area fibre artists met and determined that, yes, there would be interest in a formal society.
And was there ever. Through word of mouth only, the group grew quickly. In just over a year, the Society of Fibre Artists of the Annapolis River (SOFAAR) has achieved a membership of more than 80 artists and is still growing.
“We were surprised at how quickly SOFAAR caught on,” said Malon, “but there are a lot of us out there and wearing many hats. A fibre artist can be a quilter, knitter, spinner, rug hooker, weaver – the list goes on. Bottom line, if your hobby or your work involves fibre or fabric, this organization is for you, professional or beginner.”
Through an award from Awesome Annapolis, SOFARR sponsored an open house to introduce the public to the wide variety of forms of fibre art. A family-friendly event entitled Come Play With Us, it featured artists and crafters at work who were also available to demonstrate and discuss what they do and how they do it. Those so inclined were able to try it themselves. And children were welcome.
The free day-long event April 22 at the Annapolis Royal Fire Hall drew a big crowd and was a success well beyond expectations. There were 228 people throughout the day and particularly notable was the number of children. They kept the noise level high as they were exposed to how to knit, spin, quilt, and rug hook, among other fibre arts.
Felting had a line-up of kids most of the day. But the biggest attraction for the kids and adults as well – including some men – was how to sew on a button.