qathet Art Council is seeking funding from qathet Regional District (qRD) for its FibreSpace program for seniors.
At the November 1 regional district finance committee meeting, Karen Kamon, president of qathet Art Council, thanked the committee for funding the arts council.
She said FibreSpace started in 2015 at Vancouver Island University. She added that as it built up speed, it expanded and became a project also supported at Oceanview by qathet School District.
From that beginning, a fashion show was developed that ran for five or six years and sold out. She said there were 100-kilometre clothing challenges, and recycled or upcycled clothing, as well as wearable art.
“It was amazing to witness,” said Kamon. “It rallied the community together. One sold-out event had more than 400 people and more than 50 different artists, as well as all the people they brought in to wear the art. It made quite an impact in the community.”
Kamon said during the COVID-19 lockdown, FibreSpace lost its home at Oceanview. She said the program was brought into the art centre so the group could keep meeting; the program is starting to expand again.
“We are here trying to seek funding for additional equipment and storage lockers,” said Kamon. “They moved from the small theatre space into the main gallery because so many people are coming on a weekly basis. FibreSpace has really amazing ripples. Some of the artists who live south of town are borrowing art kits to potentially set up larger events at Lang Bay Hall, so people don’t have to travel as far to come to textile workshops.”
Kamon said a lot of equipment was lost when the program had to downsize because there was no place to store it. A pallet of supplies was given away, she said. The program needs to rebuild some more.
Kamon said people are learning how to upcycle and repair textile items. There are so many tools and so many different fibre arts, and the program gives people a chance to explore before making any investments, she added.
The program is mostly designed for seniors, said Kamon, but they are also mentoring younger people coming in.
“There are just so many outstanding opportunities that I see from the gatherings on a weekly basis,” said Kamon.
According to the qathet Art Council application for a grant-in-aid, the council is seeking $3,000 to expand the program to allow more people to have access, with many coming from rural areas. The application stated that the main expenses are storage, sewing machine repairs, program coordination and providing digital resources for skill sharing and support. The goals of FibreSpace are to promote sustainable fibre, keeping clothing out of bins, in circulation for as long as possible, ensuring the fibre does not end up in the waste stream.
The application states that the program benefits approximately 400 people annually, with projections of growth to 600.
Electoral Area D director Sandy McCormick said she loves the intergenerational work being done.
“It’s incredibly important teaching little kids how to crochet, embroider and how to knit,” said McCormick. “Thank you for doing that.
“I really like the upcycling component of your textile program.”
The finance committee recommended the regional board approve a $3,000 grant-in-aid for qathet Art Council for the FibreSpace program.
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