Meet decorative fiber artist, Renee Harris

If you have a chance to attend the American Craft Exposition in Evanston, IL this weekend, be sure to check out decorative fiber artist Renee Harris.

Here is the story I wrote about Renee for the Examiner.com.

Decorative fiber art

Decorative fiber artist Renee Harris

For as long as she can remember, Renee Harris has felt the need to make things.  While working in galleries and freelancing as an illustrator after studying art in college, Harris began experimenting with felt and fiber materials.  After twenty years of experimenting with felted wool and embroidery, Harris has become a master at her craft.  Her work is on display this weekend, Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 26 at the 28th American Craft Exposition at Northwestern University’s Henry Crown Sports Pavilion.

Harris’s one of a kind pieces reflect her interest in illustration, nature and folk art.  Combining various textures, colors and patterns of found fabrics, she draws charming images of the natural world.  Bees, birds, flowers and fish inhabit a quiet, simple, imaginary world.  In an era of mass production where identical objects line departments store shelves, it is somehow reassuring to know that someone, needle in hand, is slowly and patiently creating one lovely image at a time.

Renee Harris is one of 164 superior artisans who will be exhibiting one-of-a-kind, museum quality work at the exposition.  The event is presented by The Auxiliary of NorthShore University HealthSystem at Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals. ACE features hand-crafted work in 12 media—baskets, ceramics, fiber decorative, fiber wearable, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper and wood. A $15 admission ticket, $5 for children under 10, serves as a three-day pass to the show.  The show is open Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 11a.m.-5 p.m.

About Mary A. Osborne

Mary A. Osborne is a contributor at Parabola magazine and the author of Alchemy's Daughter and Nonna's Book of Mysteries.
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