Waldoboro artist Laura McNelly to show her work at River Arts Gallery

Work by Laura McNelly Submitted photo

Waldoboro fiber artist Laura McNelly plans to show her work in the River Room at River Arts Gallery, 36 Elm St. in Damariscotta, beginning Thursday, Oct. 25. McNelly, a former teacher and floral designer, was introduced to felting when she began volunteering at a local school and for a group of homeschoolers. She began her pursuit of felting through online classes and other online resources to hone her skill and techniques. McNelly said, “Felting is the process of using wool and specialty fibers to create works of art,” according to a news release from the gallery.

McNelly finds inspiration for her pieces in her surroundings: from an ocean vista, a view across the blueberry barrens or flowers by the roadside. She enjoys incorporating her collection of yarns, silks and vintage laces into the art pieces and wearables as well.

McNelly said, “I love to create and have experimented with a variety of medium over the years this has resulted in a large collection of art supplies. It was time to focus on a medium that would allow me to use these materials. Felting for me became that vehicle. As I look around me I see God’s creation alive with color and texture. This inspires my work. I use the felting skills I have developed and my collection of yarns, silks and vintage laces to recreate what I see. I am enjoying the challenge of capturing what I observe around me in this medium.”

McNelly’s show “Collections” will run through Wednesday, Nov. 15. An opening reception is set for 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information, visit riverartsme.org or call 207-563-6868.