Artist Erin Gardner introduced local high school students to the process of needle felting during a recent Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop.
The needle felting art form involves uses a specialized, barbed needle to repeatedly poke fluffy wool fibers, causing them to tangle and mat – forming felt.
“There was a great balance of instruction and creative freedom,” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program Coordinator Deborah Schoff said. “Students incorporated new techniques with previous knowledge, as they created wonderful works of art. Participants left with felting tools and materials to continue their work with felting projects.”
The “Felting with Gray Fox Felting” Herkimer BOCES Honors Program workshop took place on Wednesday, March 18, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center with students in grades 9-12 from Central Valley, Dolgeville, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham and Poland.
In this workshop, Gardner guided participants to explore the two-dimensional world of felting, sometimes referred to as "wool painting," as they created small spring landscapes. She also guided them to create a three-dimensional bee.
The Herkimer BOCES Honors Program is open to students in Herkimer BOCES component school districts and is designed to support the potential of students in grades 3-12 who have above average interests and abilities in a particular area. Programs allow for interaction with like-minded peers. Students learn by engaging in educational activities with presenters who are noted in their field. Exploration and programs provide for different learning styles and include topics in the arts and sciences as well as literature and history. Ongoing evaluation of all programs by teachers and students assures their relevance and quality.
Artist Erin Gardner presents about needle felting to local high schoolers during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Wednesday, March 18, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Artist Erin Gardner presents about needle felting to local high schoolers during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Wednesday, March 18, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
Local students work on needle felting during a Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Honors Program workshop on Wednesday, March 18, at the Herkimer BOCES Gateway Center.
