I feel, more and more, how important it is to remember that we all must love one another more to launch ourselves away from the divisiveness that is occurring in the world, like an astronaut escaping earth’s gravity.”

Wendy Raisanen, Scottsdale Public Art curator of collections and exhibitions

Scottsdale Public Art opens a new exhibition called “Huggernaut, Fiber Arts of Love” on Jan. 13 at the Civic Center Public Gallery at Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N. Drinkwater Blvd.

“Huggernaut, Fiber Arts of Love” is an exhibition of fiber arts that explores the warmth and comfort of love,” according to a press release, noting that its scheduled from Monday, Jan. 13 to Friday, March 31, 2020.

The exhibiting artists present personal artwork that communicate the “power of love and celebrate faith in humanity in the face of so much heartache, pain and fear in the world,” the release said.

A free opening reception is 6:30–8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at the library, the release said.

“I feel, more and more, how important it is to remember that we all must love one another more to launch ourselves away from the divisiveness that is occurring in the world, like an astronaut escaping earth’s gravity,” said Wendy Raisanen, curator of collections and exhibitions for Scottsdale Public Art, in a prepared statement.

“It’s interesting to me how varied the artists’ responses to the subject are. Each artist bears witness to the role love plays in their life, from bittersweet to joyful.”

Exhibiting artists include Jessica Dickinson, Laurie Fagen, Claire Gimber, Marla Hattabaugh, Jane Herrick, Margit Kagerer, Shachi Kale, Alison Kocher, Brenda Mason, Ann Morton, Susan Allred Prosser, Christi Puetz, Lydia Quinones, Martha Ross Raisanen, Keri Schneider and Kay Wentworth.

Ms. Fagen’s piece, “Life After Death,” is an art quilt made with her own hand-dyed cotton fabrics and other materials, described the release.

Inspired by the death of her husband, Geoffrey, following nearly 30 years of marriage, she said their love and commitment to each other gave her the strength to carry on after his death.

“‘Life After Death’ shows the initial stage of grief, anger, pain and tears after my husband died, with irregular sides, slashes in the fabric and red yarn symbolizing the fury I felt with the unfairness of this horrid disease taking one of the ‘good guys’ as I continued to seek for answers to the question: ‘Why him?’” said Ms. Fagen in a prepared statement.

“It progresses to more calming colors to represent the days when I could finally embrace the memories with smiles instead of so many tears.”

Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation will also host the following free workshops, in the Copper Gallery at the Civic Center Library, associated with the exhibition:

• Artist Christy Puetz will help ages 12 and older sew mystical woodland creatures during the Felted Critters workshop from 4–7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6.
• Artist Amanda Neal will teach participants of all ages how to make wall hangings by weaving yarns, ribbons and fiber into an artwork during the Unbe-WEAVE-able! workshop from 3–6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.  RSVP at ScottsdalePublicArt.org/Events.

Visit: ScottsdalePublicArt.org/Exhibitions.