On Friday August 8th from 4:00 to 6:00pm, the library will host an opening reception for its August show, “Stitches and Storytelling: Landscape Fiber Art.” The show will be on display through August 29th.
Maggie Moran uses hundreds – in some cases thousands – of tiny stitches to bring landscapes to life, of Saint George scenes and beyond. She artfully combines knitting, sewing, felting and embroidery, utilizing fabric, yarn, and wool fibers, as well as found items.
Maggie will include an original “story” for each piece exhibited, from realistic depictions of scenes in and around the mid-coast to whimsical interpretations of Moran’s travels to Scotland and Ireland and “quick” stitch motifs that speak to what’s special about living in Maine.
Maggie’s inspiration flows from many sources: the view from her kitchen window, a walk along the marsh, or a hike in the Camden Hills. She takes many photos when she is out and about, which she uses for reference. She starts with a canvas of wool fabric, lays out the basic composition and appliques the pieces in place. She then begins to add layer upon layer of fabric, ribbon and yarn to fill in the design followed by tiny stitches to quilt the layers together into colorful and textural, stitched landscapes. Maggie sometimes incorporates textile paint and images printed on fabric to enhance the overall composition. She says she relishes coming up with her own designs and using methods she developed through her own experimentation with fiber.
Maggie Moran practices woolcraft in her studio on States Point Road, St. George. Her vibrant textile landscapes and cityscapes will be on display in the library’s light-filled community room from August 8th through 29th, 2025.