Join us on July 15 as we dive down the fiber arts rabbit hole with sheep shearer Marisa Smith to explore the hidden labor, skill, and interconnected systems behind the fiber products we use every day.
Through firsthand stories of sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, and fiber crafts, Marisa will explore the importance of regional textile systems and the skilled physical labor, ingenuity, and generations of knowledge that sustain them. She’ll also reflect on the unexpected opportunities and meaningful experiences that can emerge when you say “yes” to learning something new.
This conversation is especially relevant to the PA Fibershed community, as it celebrates the perseverance and curiosity of our members who continue learning new skills to strengthen not only their own craft, but the broader network of regional fiber producers and makers.
Grab your lunch, log in, and prepare to be inspired by Marisa’s incredible knowledge and passion for all things fiber!
Date: July 15th
Time: 12-1 PM ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom link provided upon registration)
About the Presenter:
Marisa Smith is a fiber artist, educator, and shearer based in the Philadelphia, PA area. She graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in English and Creative Writing and a minor in Computer Science. Since then she has taken the liberal arts education she received and turned it into a laser focused dive down the fiber arts rabbit hole. She teaches at the MSBA Sheep Shearing School as an assistant instructor, and can be found every fall performing shearing demonstrations and sharing her deep love of wool and the animals that produce it at the Garden State Sheep & Fiber Festival and the Fall Fun Festival at Nor-View Farm. Her shearing schedule takes her across Pennsylvania and New Jersey every shear, shearing over two hundred sheep annually at small farms across the area.
Join us as we meet the makers strengthening our fiber community, one story at a time.
We look forward to seeing you there!
This Lunch & Learn session is free and open to all, with a suggested donation of $5–$10. Contributions directly support PA Fibershed’s educational programming and community initiatives.
Reserve your spot today!