Art lovers set to go Around the Block

While quilting is the obvious focus of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, its organizers also recognize and promote the infinite variety of fiber arts that express crafters' creativity.

The SOQS honors those artists with the 12th annual Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll. The event is set for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5, at sponsoring businesses in downtown Sisters.

The fiber art stroll is a free, self-guided walk featuring more than 25 artist demonstrations and special exhibits of textile-related arts and quilting. Visitors will be able to engage in "hands-on" activities with a number of the artists. Fiber Art Stroll maps can be found in participating businesses that host the artists, Stitchin' Post, and at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce.

The goal of the event is to increase awareness and showcase fiber arts to the public while honoring the work of fiber artists from a broad range of mediums. The event provides artists with a quality environment to present their work to the public.

The Fiber Arts Stroll artists share and demonstrate their textile work including weaving, felting, hand-knitting, tiles, fabric-dyeing, basketry, quilting and more. Artists are selected on the basis of originality of their work and adherence to a "fiber-arts" theme. The Sunday event kicks off a week of festivities for the 40th Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

For more information, call 541-549-1004 or visit www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org.