Clay and Fiber Festival 2015 promise new attractions to this annual event in Bishop Hill. The very popular Pie and Ice Cream Social, sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, is set for Saturday August 15 from 1-4 p.m. in the village park. The soup supper, sponsored by the Prairie Arts Center and area restaurants, is set for Saturday as well. Purchase soup tickets in advance by calling 309-927-3008. Reservations for the 5 p.m. serving are required. Proceeds from the soup supper will benefit the Galva Food Pantry. Remember, you keep the handmade pottery bowl!
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, there will be the musical performance of Folk Musician Wendy Anderson of Galva. This performance will be located behind the Historic Blacksmith Shop. Additionally, on August 15, there will be the opening of an Art Exhibition at the Bishop Hill Welcome Center. The Exhibition featuring Mary Philips, curator of Monmouth College art collection, will display her watercolors. Refreshments will be served. There will also be a special ceramic exhibit in VagnHall Galleri, located in the Blacksmith Shop, featuring the lifelong work of Henry Jo. Henry Jo is a retired professor of ceramics at Knox College. Works will be for sale. Finally, a learning tent provided by the Ben Watkins Clay Studio of Washington will provide opportunities for spectators to get hands on experience in clay. Kids can also enjoy learning a fiber project.
Sunday August 16 will be the addition of the Swedish musical group, Akervinda. Akervinda will give a workshop at 1 p.m. at the newly renovated Dairy Building. The Akervinda concert performance will be at 4 p.m. at the Dairy Building. These two free events are sponsored by the BHHA and the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation. Demonstrations and vending in clay and fiber are available both Saturday and Sunday, with the wheat weavers demonstration and sale being held in the Steeple Building Museum both days. Members of the Illinois Association of Wheat Weavers will answer questions and demonstrate techniques used to transform wheat straw into delicate works of art.
Historic Bishop Hill is a village for everyone. Enjoy the museums, park, shopping, and dining. A scenic stroll is encouraged to take in all Bishop Hill has to offer.
For more information about the Clay and Fiber Festival and any of this year’s attractions, please call 309-927-3008.
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