Jodi Colella, a practicing fiber artist and teacher, recognized a need for a new form of learning and community. In 2015 Colella founded FiberLab, a place to expand knowledge, skills and, most importantly, creativity.

Its members experiment with material and process while developing strong personal connections within a supportive community. Working with different mediums can be expensive and precious, inhibiting the ability to relax and “let it all go.” Colella provides access to materials and tools, encourages the freedom to play and be brave and inspires members to follow their instincts. The group started calling it FiberLab after a few sessions because of its shared, inquisitively open and experimental approach. There are no wrong answers in the “Lab” because all efforts, even those that end unexpectedly, are successful in advancing knowledge
and enhancing discovery.

Artists’ work is often solitary and there is much discussion about the benefits of art communities for the health and wellbeing of individuals. Each member brings different experiences and skillsets that add to the diversity of the mix. The group is invested in each other’s objectives while encouraging risk-taking in the development of a personal voice.

The works of 18 artists are featured in The Chemistry of FiberLab, with pieces that investigate the processes used in mixed media 2D, 3D, painting, printmaking, needle arts, surface design, felting, dyeing and more.

Artists: Tori Costa, Judith Felton, Molly Foley, Rebekah Lord Gardiner, Meck Groot, Denise Howard, Cindy Kennelly, Jean Masland, Charlotte Moore, Amy Pett, Stacey Piwinski, Ellen Solari, Caron Tabb, Dayna Talbot, Rebecca McGee Tuck, Cynthia Donnelly Walat, Karen Weinhaus and Rochelle Zohn.