NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, April 25.
FORKS — Art is the focus of the second weekend of RainFest in Forks.
A week ago, RainFest offered the Umbrella Parade and a host of Easter and coastal cleanup events.
Today through Sunday, activities include the Fabric of the Forest Quilt Show, spinning demonstrations, an art show and a children’s book reading and events at the Forks Library.
“There are a lot of really neat things happening in this community this weekend,” said Theresa Tetreau, library manager.
The three-day Fabric of the Forest Quilt Show, displaying more than 150 quilts, will be open from noon to 6 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Forks High School auxiliary gymnasium at 261 Spartan Ave.
Donations will be accepted for the quilt show, which is hosted by the Piecemakers Quilt Club and sponsored by the West Olympic Council of the Arts.
Artist and storyteller Dennis McGregor of Sisters, Ore., is a featured artist at the show.
His work graces the quilt show poster, and he will appear at the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave., at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Classes, demos
Also featured will be Sandy Bonsib of Issaquah, a teacher and author of nine quilting books.
Bonsib will teach several quilting classes and present demonstrations today and Saturday at the Department of Natural Resources Conference Center, 411 Tillicum Lane.
She is “famous for her folk art quilts,” said Marcia Yanish, educational chairwoman of the quilt club, and teaches folk art quilting at several East Coast folk art museums.
Classes are limited to 25 students on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants for the classes had to register in advance and must bring the required supplies to class. A supply list was provided with confirmation of registration.
Spaces were available in some classes as of Wednesday, Yanish said.
Entrants must have fabric and a sewing machine.
Pre-cutting is not required, allowing for last-minute entries to the class, Yanish said.
Fabric should be cut at the class; information about color selection and block design will be provided.
The schedule for the classes, as well as a lecture and demonstration, are:
■ “Almost Amish Technique Class” — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, DNR Conference Center. Registration is $75 per quilter.
The “square within a square” technique creates blocks for an “almost Amish” look. This quilt was featured on Alex Anderson’s “Simply Quilts” TV show.
■ “One Quilter’s Journey” lecture and demonstration — 7:30 p.m. today at the DNR Conference Center.
Bonsib will share quilts from each of her eight books, with stories from her experiences as a quilter. The cost of the lecture, which can be paid at the door, was not available.
■ “Hot Fudge Sunday with a Cherry on Top” class — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Registration is $75.
A high-contrast black-and-white quilt with red trim, the quilt is bold and colorful, from the Sweet Treat Quilt collection of dessert-inspired quilts.
For information, visit www.piecemakersquiltclub.org or contact Karla Lewis at 360-374-9201 or quilter@centurytel.net.
A drawing for a quilt raffled by the Piecemakers is set for 4 p.m. Sunday at Forks High School.
The Far West Art League Show and Sale — set from noon to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Almar Building, 120 S. Forks Ave. — will feature nine Forks-area artists.
Most are painters, but a fiber artist and a sea glass jewelrymaker also will exhibit there, said Flora Finley, treasurer of the art league.
Members of the public can bring in painted rocks for a contest Saturday.
Painted rocks (which must be dry) are due at the Almar Building by noon, and public voting for winners will continue through 5 p.m.
A cash prize will be awarded at the end of the show to the painter of the rock with the most votes from the community during the show and sale.
Third- and fourth-place prizes will be balloon creations made by Wiseworld.biz entrepreneur Nancy Weaver.
Library activities
Forks-area spinners will be at the Forks Library from 10:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
They will demonstrate methods for spinning wool into yarn.
The presentation will include a display of spinning wheels, drop spindles, a variety of fiber types and completed projects.
“Some pretty great things will be on display from their spinning projects,” Tetreau said.
At 1 p.m., McGregor will weave tales, songs and samples of his quilt-inspired children’s illustrations of Sisters, Ore., at the library.
McGregor is the author and illustrator of Dream Again, the tale of an Oregon Trail pioneer child and her quilt.
“It’s more than just for kids,” Tetreau said.
McGregor’s storytelling is appropriate for all ages but is best for age 6 and older, Tetreau said.
McGregor will sign copies of his book and artwork after the program.
Children’s crafts will be offered at the library from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Documentary screened
Also on RainFest weekend will be the Forks showing of a documentary made by one Forks native about another.
John Dahlgren’s film, “Extending the Play,” will be shown Saturday for a limited audience at Forks High School, 261 Spartan Ave.
The film is about Dahlgren’s friend Kasey Ulin and his wife, Bracey Barker Ulin of Maine, both of whom play professional basketball on a Luxembourg team.
Admission is free, but tickets have been issued so Dahlgren can keep count of the audience members.
Because of the small size of the auditorium, which seats 300, he did not release publicly the start time for the film.
Those interested in tickets for the film can email Dahlgren at johndahlgren15@gmail.com for the start time and more information on tickets.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
