Are you an artist, arts organization or venue?

artist

What town do you live in?

Conway, MA

In which disciplines do you work or exhibit?

Other

Artist Statement/Bio

Sue McFarland has been weaving since 1982. She has a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in painting, attended the Art Institute of Boston, and has a BA in Arts Administration from UMass. She received her master's degree from Lesley University in the Creative Arts and Learning Program. Her focus was on integrating the visual and fiber arts into the traditionally academic disciplines.
In 2004, Sue apprenticed with felt maker Christine White. Since that time she has expanded her fiber repertoire to include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional felt work.
Sue maintains a studio in Conway, MA. She not only sells her work at retail fairs and select galleries in MA, CT and VT but also conducts workshops incorporating the fiber arts for K-12 students, adults and educators. Sue has studied VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) and as a trainer/practitioner, she helps students develop critical thinking skills through the observation of fine art.
She has been published in the Interweave Press journal "Hand-woven" and is the recipient of Massachusetts Cultural Council LCC grants.
"True creativity can only exist within the confines of limitations. It is when we must overcome obstacles or work within a given structure that our creative process comes into play. Our artwork is our response to those limitations. As a hand weaver I must always be conscious of how the weft and warp interact on both a design level and a structural level. My challenge has always been to create aesthetically intriguing objects that are also functional."