Gifts in Action: Fiber Arts Workshop Gets Students Spinning

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In early March “The Cool Bus”, a mobile art studio based in central PA, visited the Lewisburg Area High School (LAHS) for a morning of hands-on learning funded by The Green Dragon Foundation (GDF). The on-site fiber arts field trip was the idea of librarian and teacher Sydney Edwards. Students from the Fiber Arts and Sustainability: Farm to Table classes were invited to participate. Other students who were not enrolled in these classes, but were interested in the activity, joined a shorter session during their flex period. Forty-three students participated in the hands-on workshop.

The workshop involved creating thread and fabric from the fur of Angora rabbits. Students had the opportunity to try their hands at creating thread with a drop spindle, examine different animal hair under a microscope, pet Angora rabbits, and create fabric with a portable loom. Students enjoyed learning about the different types of fibers, using the loom and spindle and, of course, petting the rabbits!

Senior Madasyn Criswell reflected on the experience saying, “I learned about so many types of fibers and ways they can be made. It was interesting to get a peek into the past as well as the farming culture surrounding our small town. It was fun to get to use the machinery myself, whether it be a loom, spindle, or lucent, and it really helped to reinforce my learning via hands on experience. I will certainly be looking more into the things I’ve learned during the workshop.”

Edwards thanked The Green Dragon Foundation for providing the funding to make the event possible. Funds came from The Riya K. and Aamar S. Johal Endowment for the Enrichment of Environmental Sciences and the GDF Quasi Endowment for High School Art. For information on creating your own endowment or contributing to an established fund, contact Ann Glock at 570-522-8433 or [email protected]