Wool & Water
What is Wool and Water?
Wool and Water is a collaborative project that blends fiber art with scientific information to create visual representations of changing water quality conditions in the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain Basin. Launched in association with the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act in 2022, the aim of this project is to showcase the legacy of protecting clean water in the Champlain Basin and beyond. Knitting, crochet, weaving and other fiber arts are used to illustrate concepts and trends related to our waterways, and to provide inspiration for their protection.
The idea is to tell the stories of our waterways with fiber art. Each piece incorporates a concept or a dataset and we invite you to explore them in our virtual gallery. The growing collection now includes works by more than 30 artists and makers. Many were improvised but based on existing patterns and tools readily available. Watch our events page for opportunities to see the exhibit in person or attend a workshop or presentation.
What issues are you highlighting?
The aim of the project is to celebrate clean water and to highlight issues that impact the quality of our waters. You will see a number of water-related concepts and stressors represented ranging from the basics of lake stratification and turnover to the impacts of pollutants on aquatic life. Several pieces highlight some of the major research and monitoring subjects of AWI and the Lake Champlain Basin Program including road salt contamination, aquatic invasive species, and climate change.
Wool & Water Virtual Exhibit
Are you a teacher? Please reach out! We have developed workshops for all ages and would love to reach more students with Wool and Water.
Where can I learn more?
The videos below give an explanation of each piece in the exhibit and a live Zoom Q&A about the project hosted by TAUNY. You can listen to or read more about the project from North Country Public Radio. If you want to view more photos and detailed descriptions you can visit the Wool & Water page on Ravelry.
How do I get involved?
There are no rules! We’d love to have you. The easiest way to get started is to click on the button below and complete the form so we can help guide you in the right direction. Answer as many questions as you can and Michale will follow up with information to help you get started. You are also welcome to browse the Ideas folder here for some inspiration. And if you want to join a community of creators check out our Facebook group.
If you are a fiber producer in the region, we would love to celebrate our regional producers by making a piece with your fiber.
What do I do with the piece when it’s finished?
That’s up to you! Your piece is yours to use however you might like. The Wool and Water exhibit moves around the region and we would love you to consider loaning and displaying your piece. All pieces have a home in the virtual gallery for anyone who would like to be included there. If you create something, we would love for you to let us know about it share some photos with us!
Wait, what if I can’t knit or crochet but I’m still interested?
Can you weave? Simple weaving with a DIY loom could work in lots of ways. We have also found many creative ways to use wool felt balls.
Do you want to learn to knit or crochet? We might be able to help there too, let us know. There are abundant resources for learning online also.
Are you a teacher? We have some ideas for simple projects and have done many workshops with students, please reach out to us.
What’s the best way to get in touch?
Start by emailing Michale at mglennon@paulsmiths.edu or by filling out the form above.
Funders
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) under assistance agreement (LC 00A00981-0) to NEIWPCC in partnership with the Lake Champlain Basin Program. We have also benefitted from the support of the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership and Northern New York Audubon.