Tracing the Threads of Resourcefulness will be our theme once again this year with a look at the resourcefulness of traditional fiber artists and sustainable crafting methods being utilized today. This event will showcase educational demonstrations and sales by skilled fiber artists including rug braiders, rug hookers, spinners, felters, quilters, contemporary upcycling, menders and more. There is something for everyone at this event—Fun for the whole family!

Vintage sewing machine repair is being offered once again by appointment – Email Dana at [email protected] to setup your appointment.

The keynote speaker Mary Ann Stewart will open the event at 11:30 at the Brownington Church.

Mary Ann is a stitcher, fiber artists, zero-waste natural dye artisan, environmentalist, and sustainable fiber systems advocate. She will discuss concerns that surround our current fast fashion industry. Fast fashion is the production of inexpensive clothing by mass-market retailers to keep up with the latest trends, leading customers to shop continually for new looks.

Additionally, it creates textile waste (92 million tons annually!), microplastics, carbon emissions, polluted water—and uses far too much water for production. In a world filled with fashion waste, through repair, reuse and mending clothes, Mary Ann will share how she advocates against excessive consumption through her art. She is a maker of one of a kind small batch items made from remnant paper, fiber, and/or textiles (i.e., cards, natural dyed cotton threads, zero-waste boro dolls, men’s dress shirts she upcycles into everyday toddler dresses which she will showcase at the event.)

MORE ABOUT MARY ANN STEWART—

I’m the creative force behind fresh cercle, a vibrant haven where fiber art meets craftsmanship. As a dedicated, lifelong stitcher, knitter, print and fiber artist, and craftswoman specializing in small-batch handmade creations and designs, I use and reuse secondhand, remnant, and deadstock textiles, ethically foraged and found materials, and plant-based dyes and natural fibers and threads to create unique handmade clothing, home goods, and curiosities. These items are a byproduct of my work in the studio where I’m 100% responsible for everything I bring into it. The other major focus of my work lies in policy and advocacy for improved fiber systems and textile production.

At age five, after cutting from the center fold of one of her beautiful bolts of wool, Mom said it was time I learned to sew and set about teaching me how to use her Singer sewing machine. I successfully put in my first zipper at age seven. At the age of ten, I was tracing designs to embroider my pillowcases. By age twelve I was knitting mittens and scarves and designing and making my clothes. In college, I created historically-informed costumes for our early music consortium.

From an early age, I understood that ‘being an artist’ isn’t about making things or having success as an artist; it’s about how one perceives and moves through the world. I’ve come to understand that art is on the same spectrum as science, where questions guide exploration, discovery, and learning. Once I have answers, I share what I’ve learned. That’s where the crafting comes in. Art explores expression and perception; craft is executing a vision.

For the past twenty years in Massachusetts I’ve pursued advocacy and policy-driven solutions, first for K-12 Public Education for my children and their schoolmates via the school’s Site Council and Parent Teacher Association (PTA, 2004-2016), then as an elected representative from my neighborhood to Lexington’s Town Meeting (2006-2021), and as a twice-elected School Committee chair and member (2009-2014), where I was proud to receive commendations from my State Senator and State Representative. For the last ten years, I’ve advocated for all Massachusetts students as an appointed member of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (2014-present) and was honored to receive Massachusetts PTA’s 2020 Advocate of the Year. After pursuing a path that originally led me into a political career, I founded fresh cercle because fast fashion is a blind spot in our nation’s climate policy. I’m a proud member of Southeastern New England Fibershed and Western Massachusetts Fibershed, two of Fibershed’s 75+ worldwide Affiliates. I’m a founding member of Fibershed’s Advocacy Working Group, a group focused on policy and legislation for improving fiber systems nationally. I’ve exhibited my lino prints at the Holiday Art Exhibition & Sale at the Concord Art Gallery (MA) and small salon shows in my region. fresh cercle collaborated with Center Goods and Lexington Zero Waste Coalition for Mend in Public days this past Spring (2024) and hosts both the in-person and virtual Threadbare Mending Lounge community-building events in brewpubs near me in Middlesex County.

I invite you to connect with me online:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshcercle

• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/freshcercle

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mastewartma, and

• Via the Contact Page on my website: https://www.freshcercle.com