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Jan 19, 2024

Crochet artists install new project in Fayetteville

The group of artists who helped cover Maxine’s Tap Room in colorful yarn a few years ago have a new project in the works. The ‘Crochetitville’ group, led by artist Gina Gallina, have been hanging

The group of artists who helped cover Maxine’s Tap Room in colorful yarn a few years ago have a new project in the works.

The ‘Crochetitville’ group, led by artist Gina Gallina, have been hanging their latest creations on buildings in downtown Fayetteville this week, and more are on the way, Gallina said.

The current project features large panels hanging on buildings around town featuring positive affirmations crocheted to look like graffiti.

One panel installed on Maxine’s Tap Room by artist Kim Dodd says “Legendary,” for example, and another from Dodd atop the ‘Carsagas’ location on Martin Luther King Jr. Bouelvard says “It’s a brewtiful day.” A third piece from Tracy Johnson was installed in front of Xuma Kitchens on Center Street.

Gallina said the idea is to showcase the skills of local crocheters and give them an outlet in a typically slow time of year.

“I am just wanting to instigate some free public art with our amazing local crochet artists,” Gallina said. “There are so many crocheters that do more than just baby hats. Usually August or late summer is the worst time for crochet, so this seems like a fun option to make room for it.”

More pieces in the graffiti project are set to be installed around Fayetteville this week, Gallina said. Mount Sequoyah, Pink House Alchemy, Likewise, Pearl’s Books, and Jammin’ Java are a few locations that will have pieces from the project hanging in the coming days.

Gallina also said she plans to soon document the project on video.

“I am wanting to interview each artist to ask them their process, what inspired them, etc,” she said. “This is the first time for a few of these crocheters to do something like this, so it’s extra special to see them cross that line.”

Artists involved in the yarn graffiti project along with Gallina, Dodd and Johnson include Sarah White, Randi Sparks, Ali M. Mero and Amber Wenger-Smith.

Gallina has been busy. On top of organizing the multi-artist project, she also installed a new piece called “The Rambleberry Tree” in the Lower Ramble for the city this week. The installation features colorful crocheted ornaments that hang from a tree in the Fay Jones Woods along the Razorback Greenway.

For more of Gallina’s work, check out her website at ginagallina.com.

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