What is Fibre Art?

Fibre Art can be described as painting and sculpting with fabric, threads and fibre. Work can be two dimensional wall art, three-dimensional sculptures or wearable art.

Threads and yarns are selected from a variety of natural and synthetic fibres. Fabrics, threads and yarns are chosen for their colour and textural elements.

Non-traditional elements include the use of metal, papers, Tyvek, bubble wrap, wax, beads…

Fibre Art, like quilting, is a labour of love. Sewing machines are pushed to the limit, as are fingers and imagination.

FAB Information

The Fibre Arts Bunch (FAB) commits to ensuring a welcoming, respectful, safe and positive environment in the pursuit of creative exploration, sharing and growth. You just need to be an ICAC member to join the fun.

At FAB, we enjoy playing and exploring the creative use of fibre, fabrics and embellishments in the creation of fibre art. Members share interests and skills with one another on a regular basis. New members are welcome. Just bring a lunch; tea and coffee provided and a toonie to contribute to the upkeep of our wonderful room.

Kindred Spirits from Shedden to Kitchener and Stratford to Simcoe make up the Fibre Arts Bunch. We have studio time booked at the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre each Wednesday, from 10 am to about 2:30 pm, with more formal events on the 2nd and 4th weeks. New faces are always welcome. It does not matter if you are just starting your fibre art journey or are experienced. At FAB we learn from and inspire each other by sharing techniques and words of encouragement.

There is generally a short demo/group activity on the second Wednesday of each month and a Business Meeting on the fourth. Meetings generally include show and share, a workshop or two each year, a road trip in the spring and lots of time to work on individual projects. Drop by, bring your lunch and give us a try.

If you drop by the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre on a Thursday you will see a dedicated group of painters who meet to paint and learn together in a relaxing friendly environment, while sharing art news and views.

• Beginner or experienced, all members are welcome to attend this non-instructional open studio. Some stay for the entire session, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, others stop by to say hello, observe and enjoy a creative chat.
• Anyone may demonstrate a technique, speak about a favourite artist, tell about a website, a Youtube video, a book, an exhibition they have seen recently, or any art related topic.
• A small art reference library is also a good source of motivation and inspiration.
• Group projects are an opportunity for all to participate and new ideas are always welcomed.
• A painters’ exhibition may be scheduled in the main Gallery by contacting the Curator for availability.
• Many painters offer works for sale in the gift shop throughout the year, and enter the annual Members’ Exhibition held each Spring.
• The quarterly Art Centre program includes at least one workshop in popular media of interest to painters in all levels of experience, at reasonable cost.
• Some instructors are local artists, others are from outside the community.
• Painters may suggest or recommend instructors to be considered for workshops, or a presentation as part of an Inspiration weekend.
• A painters’ representative acts as liaison with the Board in promoting and scheduling activities.
• Numbers are growing with plenty of room for more to join in the joy of painting.

Have you ever wanted to try pottery but didn’t know where to start? Our Pottery Studio is fully equipped with 6 wheels, a slab roller, extruder, pug mill and two electric kilns. Glazes are also available.

Classes are offered that cover everything from throwing on the wheel, handbuilding and sculpture. These are available to non-members and are a great way to try pottery to see if it is for you. We also have mini workshops for members only, to learn some new skills and share ideas.

Members are charged a fee per pound which covers both the bisque firing, glaze, and glaze firing.  Clay is available for purchase from the Centre.

Pottery Group

• Studio time for Potters is on Thursdays from 9:30 – 3:30 p.m.
• Studio time is also available during the week and Sundays from 1-4pm when classes are not in session.
• Check the Contact page for Centre Hours or call 519 485-4691 to check availability.
• The Pottery Studio has 6 wheels, a slab roller, extruder, pug mill and two new electric kilns.

Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre Potters Etiquette

Welcome to the ICAC pottery studio.

• Thursday is the regular potters’ co-operative studio time but the studio can also be used any time the centre is open.
• A Toonie donation (box is on the table) goes towards general studio running costs. It is suggested that you put in a Toonie whenever you are using the studio. In lieu of this, you can also make a $100 annual donation for studio use. You will receive a tax receipt if you do it this way.
• Please check the events calendar on-line to see if classes are being held in the pottery studio.

The following are some suggestions for creating a positive co-operative working environment.

General Guidelines

• The potters’ studio is open for members only.
• You should have completed at least 1 basic pottery course, or have previous pottery experience, before working on your own. Ask for help if you are unsure.
• Respect other potter’s work and work habits.
• This is a co-operative working studio and members should assist in many tasks. Please ask what you can do to help.
• You are responsible to clean up after using the studio – wash sponges, batts, wheels, work areas, floors etc. Take your dirty towels home to wash. The dirty towel box is for community towels only.
• The plastic wrap is to be used sparingly and recycled. There is a container for used plastic. Please use plastic from this container before using a new sheet.
• Equipment, tools, glaze etc. are in the studio for everyone to use. Please do not take them home.
• The wheel is only to be used by people 16 years or older and only after receiving proper instructions.
• Space is at a premium at our studio. Please complete your pots as soon as possible and take them home.
• Payment for clay and firing is to be recorded in the payment book. Money (exact change) is to be put into a plastic baggie. Enclose a piece of paper with your name and the amount you paid and then put it into the locked box on the shelf. Cheques are also accepted. Mark that you have paid in the book. Please be prompt with your payments.

Clay

• You are encouraged to purchase clay from the centre. ($50 per box or $25 per sleeve).
• Clay is only sold in full sleeves or boxes. Don’t return used clay to the bags.
• When purchasing clay from the centre, you should record which box/sleeve you purchase on the inventory sheet on the clay room door AND enter the amount in the Clay/Firing Charge Book.
• Properly dispose of your clay scraps – reclaim, save or discard.
• Don’t let pieces of clay go down the drain.
• Recycling clay – there is a bucket by the pug mill where you can put your clean white clay, broken into small pieces. Do not put any clay that has been on the floor into the recycle bucket.
• Clay in the recycle bucket becomes community property, and after being pugged is available for purchase at 50 cents per pound. Record any purchases on your sheet in the Clay/Firing Charge Book.

Glazing

• Glazing is to be done on the glazing table only.
• Use newspaper under pieces to be waxed, only use brushes available for waxing and clean them well in hot water and soap.
• Only qualified potters are to mix glazes and 2 potters should mix the glazes together to ensure safety and quality.
• The glazes have been mixed to what we feel is proper consistency. If you feel they are too thick or thin, please don’t take water off or add water. If you must thin a glaze, please thin down a small amount only.
• Glaze carefully to avoid contamination of colours.

Kiln & Firing

• Place pottery that is ready to be bisque or high fired on the proper shelf.
• The kilns should only be loaded and unloaded by qualified potters.
• 2 potters should work together in both loading and unloading the kiln to ensure quality and help with recording of information.
• Ensure that the bottoms of your pots are clean and that the glaze is not too close to the bottom.
• If the glaze on your pot runs onto the kiln shelf, it is your responsibility to grind them clean and put on a kiln wash.
• Firing & glazing is payable at $2.00 per pound. If you only bisque a piece, it is $1 per pound. Please make sure you weigh it and add it into the payment book.
• You must sign your pieces. Unsigned work may not be fired. Please ensure that your preferred signing method is recorded in the book so those unloading the kiln can find it.

Oxford Quilters Guild

• The Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre Quilters have access to studio time in the Fibre Arts Room (no instructor) on Mondays from 9:30 – 3:30 and on Thursday evenings from 3:30 – 9:00 p.m.
• Studio time is also available when classes are not in session in the Fibre Arts Room.  Check the Class Calendar or call 519 485-4691 to check availability.
• The Oxford Quilters Guild has a membership of approx. 75 with a capacity of 200 members. Membership fees are $25 if receiving the Newsletter by mail and $20.00 by email and membership to the Ingersoll Creative Arts Centre is required.
• The Guild meets on the first Thurs. of the month from 2-4pm and 7-9pm (Sept – June).
• Programs vary at these meetings to include, speakers, projects and sometimes trunk shows. Check out The Oxford Quilters Guild website for up-to-date information.
• Open studio sessions for the quilters are on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 3:30-9 p.m

Oxford Quilters Guild website »

Every Tuesday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Rug Hookers’ Etiquette

1. Whoever takes out the wool cutter is responsible for cleaning it and putting it away.
2. Everyone is responsible for cleaning up their personal space before leaving for the day.
3. A donation to the toonie box is always appreciated.
4. The ICAC Wild Woolies meet every Tuesday of every month from 10:00 am – 3:30 pm.