Ellen Merchant has been working with fibers since she was seven years old. Now, an art teacher at Catalina Ventura Elementary School, the Sun City resident finds time between her teaching and artistic endeavors to share her passion for fiber arts with adult learners at Doing Grief Community Healing Project in Sun City.

Merchant will offer “Healing Through Freeform Fiber Sculpting” 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 1, at the Interfaith Chapel for Healing–Church of the Palms, 14808 N. Boswell Blvd. No experience is necessary and all materials will be provided; however, participants are welcome to bring objects from home to work into their sculptures if they choose.

Freeform fiber sculpting is an art form that was made popular by fiber artist Judith Scott. “She was born with Down’s Syndrome, was deaf, and institutionalized for 40 years before her sister brought her home,” Merchant related. “Despite her setbacks, she was able to create beautiful fiber sculptures out of yarn, fabric, string, sticks, and even a shopping cart!”

Before she died in 2005 at the age of 61, Scott produced more than 200 sculptures that incorporated many found objects such as keys, plastic tubing, a bicycle wheel and an electric fan that were wrapped into her art pieces. Her artwork is displayed in public museums including the Museum of Modern Art and American Museum of Folk Art, and in private collections all over the world.

“The thing I love about her fiber art sculptures is that anyone of any ability can make one, and no two will look alike,” said Merchant. “Each is a unique creation of the artist’s personality.”

Merchant says fiber arts have provided relaxation and fun for her since she was a child. The creativity and beauty of her own fiber arts creations has also been a balm for Merchant when she faced her own personal setbacks, including the death of her daughter, Emily, in 2022 from ovarian cancer when she was only seventeen.

“I have worked through my grief and troubled times while working with fiber arts, and they have been great therapy for me,” Merchant explained. “Freeform fiber sculptures allow a person to put their thoughts and feelings of the moment into the creation. This can be a great way to work through grief or difficult times and to celebrate happy times, too.”

Healing Project programs are for those of all faiths or none. RSVP for this event and other Healing Project programs at 602-315-8480, Connect@DoingGrief.com or fill out the RSVP form on the “Healing Project” website, DoingGrief.com. A suggested donation of $5-10 can be donated online or at the door. All are welcome regardless of an ability to pay.