Keeping tradition and the arts alive in Montana

The fourth annual Fiber Fest held at the Copper K Barn outside of Whitehall on July 18 and 19 got off the ground through the sheer determination of founders Kami Noyes and Betty Kujawa. Kami stated that this year had been more challenging but she felt it was worth it as she feels we all need a release from the stress of today so she went through the entire process, met the constant changes and received much support online. Finally, over 26 vendors and teachers from all over Montana and Minnesota, Kansas, So. Dakota among other states were signed in and the Fest was off and running.

One could wander through the vendors out on the lawn and inside the barn and they were eager to share information with you. Montana State University sent one of their instructors from the Animal and Range Sciences Department. Here they receive samples of wool to analysis in the Optical Fiber Diameter Analyzer (OFDA). The lab was built in 1947 and is still in use today. It is where they determine the width of the fiber....the finest fiber is a millionth of a meter. The finesse of the wool is linked to the diet of the animal.

Then one was drawn to the beauty of paintings and clothing depicting those paintings of artist Christy Lynn Greene from Stevensville, MT. She is one of twenty Master Silk Painters in the world. Christy stated it was easiest to paint on Habotai or Charmuese Silk. Some of the clothing was printed on bamboo giving it a heavier feeling. She was also one of the teachers that would be sharing her art with those in attendance.

Fourth time attendees were the folks from "Spin Dance Acres" – a Dreson Family Farm in Lonsdale, Minnesota. It was explained that the dyes they use are all natural-plant based (aka: pits from fruit). From Chanute, Kansas, first time attendee was Athena Spinning who displayed their unique spinning wheels. Fair Winds Llama Ranch and Fiber Mill in Helena was attending for the third time.

Some of the vendors were family affairs such as the Snowdrift Alpacas from Butte. The mother-daughter team did the weaving and the husband, an Art Teacher at Butte High, produced the pottery. Other vendors such as Lisa Jugar from the Dunlaveign Ranch in Olney, MT., in attendance for the first time, stated she did everything from raising to shearing and on and on but did not handle the weaving.

This was a marvelous day thanks to Kami and Betty and Kami's sister Lacee, who is the venue owner, where one was surrounded by colors and shapes and sizes and lessons in weaving and silk painting and spinning to vendors eager to share their love and knowledge of the fine art of the fibers.