An explanation of what F.I.G. is about is in order for those not familiar with the acronym. To my knowledge, there are no other F.I.G. groups (redundant, I know, but that is how we refer to ourselves) but that does not mean that you, dear reader, cannot start one. If you do, please let us know by posting a comment. We would love to spread the concept.
The Fiber Interest Group, or F.I.G., as it is fondly called, was started in November 1980 by nationally known doll maker and fiber artist, Lenore Davis, and continues to this day. The original purpose of the group was to provide an informal discussion forum for fiber artists in the Cincinnati and Tri-State area (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana) where they could show, ask for help and receive feedback on recently completed or almost completed fiber or fiber-related art works, a productive exchange between the artist and the members present. When this type of support is not needed, and it often is not, other textile-related discussions have been encouraged and have run the gamut from books, exhibits seen and to be seen, competitions, travels, reports on workshops taken and more. Since it’s inception, F.I.G. has expanded the base of it’s membership which now includes collectors, teachers, students and other individuals interested in learning more about the local fiberarts community.
Meetings are informal affairs and have ranged in attendance from a few to many. Most are held in, but not limited to, a member's home or studio. Often, a theme is selected by the member hosting the meeting, as a prompt for discussion or suggestion for what to bring and share. Occasionally, a field trip is planned to a school, for a demonstration, perhaps, or an area museum to see an exhibit, or other place of interest. Meetings take place four to six times a year.
F.I.G. has no officers, dues, or paperwork. Persons interested in attending a meeting send one or more SASE (self-addressed stamped envelopes) to the “envelope person,” the only "official" in the group. About a month before each meeting, this person complies a set of envelopes which are given to the person who has volunteered to host the meeting. The host uses these envelopes to mail out a flyer they have created with pertinent information about the meeting they are hosting. One envelope in a member’s set of envelopes is marked “last envelope.” Receipt of this envelope indicates that the envelope person has run out of envelopes for the person receiving it. Unless that person sends in more envelopes, they will no longer be notified of meetings. Using this simple formula, Cincinnati’s F.I.G. has endured since its inception.
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