Nothing says "spring," like twelve-gauge needles, right? Mark Newport, whose hand-knitted superhero costumes are currently on exhibit at Laumeier Sculpture Park's indoor galleries ( Holy Handicrafts, Batman!, February 2010) might agree with that statement. Newport be on hand next week for Laumeier's Knit-In @ The Park, a more interesting version of the traditional gallery talk:
"On Saturday, April 3, Laumeier Sculpture Park will present its own unique spin on the classic artist gallery talk with the addition of a collaborative gathering of knitters. The public is welcome to attend a pair of free events to learn more about the current exhibition, Mark Newport: Self-Made Man, and about the art and craft of knitting. Mark Newport will speak about his work in the galleries at 1 p.m., followed by Knit-In @ the Park at 2:00 p.m. The Knit-In event will bring together the artist, knitters and curious non-knitters who will create a social scene and educational “happening” throughout the Laumeier landscape.
Mark Newport, the Artist-in-Residence and Head of Fiber at the Cranbrook Academy of Art, will tour visitors through his Self-Made Man exhibition (featuring human-scale, acrylic-knit superhero costumes) offering insights into his use of "soft" materials to explore "tough" topics such as gender stereotypes and the role of heroes in contemporary culture. Newport will be joined by Laumeier’s Director of Exhibitions and Collections, Kim Humphries, who curated the exhibition.
Following the tradition of similar events first organized by the Craft Yarn Council of America in the late 1990s, Laumeier’s Knit-In will offer visitors the chance to meet members of the Greater St. Louis Knitters’ Guild and learn from area knit shops — Knitorious and the Kirkwood Knittery. Additionally, Laumeier’s first Free Family Day in April will take place from 2-4 p.m. offering hands-on activities to spark the imagination and inspire creativity for families with children of all ages.
Knitters are encouraged to bring their own supplies and for first-time knitters, limited complimentary yarn and needles will be available."
Ah, spring: the chirping of birds, the clicking of needles. --Stefene Russell
