Fiber artist Susan Barrett Merrill will conduct a weeklong Weaving a Life session of fiber arts instruction Monday-Saturday, Oct. 6-11, at the Cobscook Community Learning Center in Trescott near Lubec. The cost of the weeklong course is $250.

The center is a nonprofit community organization whose mission “is to sustain an educational setting within which people can cultivate understanding and enrich life through experiences in the natural surroundings, with our cultures and traditions, and through access to the arts,” according to information at its Web site, www.thecclc.org.

Merrill’s weeklong workshop will have room for 18 participants who will take part in hand weaving, spinning, and dyeing, using the fleece of Washington County sheep and tints made of local plants.

“The Weaving a Life approach brings handwork to a broad audience by providing the simple materials for creative activity. The weaving is a process of deepening awareness through connecting the hands and heart in a journey of self-discovery,” according to information at Merrill’s Web site, www.weavingalife.com.

Participants will weave three different projects, learning tapestry techniques and drop-spinning in the process. They also will create a joint piece on a free-standing indoor loom and be the facilitators for a collaborative weaving on a 9-foot Earth Loom planted in the ground. People from the community are encouraged to take part in this activity.

The final day of the session, Saturday, Oct. 11, will coincide with the grand opening of the of the center’s new fiber arts studio. “The entire community is invited to the grand opening and we encourage people to take part in the group weaving,” said the center’s Program Director Kara McCrimmon.

The new Don Furth Memorial Bandstand also will be dedicated that day. The bandstand was constructed in the memory of the father of the center’s Executive Director Alan Furth. Music begins at 10 a.m. and goes until 10 p.m. with the Orange River Jazz Band and trumpet player Mark Tipton, Oakum Bay String Band, New Brunswick fiddler Garold Hanscom, Michael Cooney and friends, SHUSH, R.E. Bell and Home Brew, and a Black Socks String Reunion String Band and friends.

The day will be filled with art, music, food and fun, said McCrimmon.

Other fiber-related activities at the center include:

. A knitting circle that meets 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays. There is no cost to participate and registration is not necessary.

. Plains Indian beadwork pouches class, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 and 18. Course fees are charged on a sliding fee scale.

. Wrapped porcupine quill work class, Saturday, Dec. 6 and 13. Fees are based on a sliding scale.

Registration deadline is one week before the class begins.

The center also offers pottery lessons.

“The programs are open o everyone regardless of the ability to pay,” said the center’s Office Director Kevin Thompson. “It’s based on what you feel comfortable to pay.”

Call the center at 733-2233 for more information, or visit www.thecclc.org.

ahamlin@bangordailynews.net

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