Past projects

Browse our past projects to explore the power of coming together through fiber. Thread by thread, stitch by stitch, The Fiber Art Society transforms everyday materials into meaningful public works rooted in collaboration and care. From fundraising initiatives like Winter Craftivity × Art Can Feed, which raised nearly $400 to provide 800 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity, to large-scale public installations such as Flourish, a seven-by-six-foot yarn bomb created for the 10th Annual Neon Art Festival, our projects celebrate visibility, growth, and fiber’s place in shared spaces. Other collaborations include yarn-bombing Norfolk’s iconic mermaid, Sally, at Selden Market with hundreds of crocheted mandalas and a community net of local contributions, as well as the Community Crochet Mural Project, a months-long collective effort that ultimately transformed into blankets redistributed to community members in need. The Fiber Art Society is rooted in community and togetherness—using fiber art as a way to give back through fundraising, education, awareness, and the sharing of handmade work.

Art can feed

The Winter Craftivity and Crochet Workshop at the Chrysler Museum of Art brought together community members for an accessible, hands-on fiber arts experience rooted in creativity and care. Hosted in partnership with The Womxn’s Connective, 757_Create, and the Chrysler Museum of Art, the event invited participants of all skill levels to learn crochet, work collaboratively, and create handmade pieces in a communal setting. In addition to fostering connection through making, the workshop served as a fundraiser for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, raising nearly $400 and providing 800 meals for neighbors facing food insecurity—demonstrating how art can function as both creative practice and meaningful community support.

A group of seven women standing in front of a large red poinsettia Christmas tree inside a building decorated with holiday ornaments.

Flourish

10th annual NEON Art Festival, October 2025.

Participants: Isabella Thompson, Deb Monroe, and Alyssa Taylor

This large-scale floral crochet installation celebrates a decade of creativity in the NEON District. Composed of crocheted flowers, leaves, and other organic forms, the piece draws inspiration from how the NEON Arts District has flourished over the years—growing from its roots in community collaboration into a vibrant hub of art and connection. Each stitch reflects the shared energy that keeps the district blooming.

International yarnbombing day

June 11, 2025

The Fiber Art Society completed a whimsical and collaborative crochet yarn bomb project: a life-sized mermaid nicknamed Sally. Brought to life with yarn and imagination, Sally is now shopping by the seashore—on display at Selden Market. In her “net,” she’s gathered treasures from local businesses, including a candle from Norfolk Candle, a Virginia logo from VA Goods, a bracelet from LNK, a treat from S’mores Amore, a bag from Werther Leather Goods, and a skillet from Cooking with Greens. Sally is a playful celebration of fiber art and community spirit.

Contributing artists: @Isabellathegreat_, @xray.angel , @byron.linell , and @aworldimpacted

A mannequin with a mermaid tail and top made of colorful crochet with flowers, in a shopping mall with string lights and art displays.
Colorful crochet blanket hanging on a black metal fence with a cityscape and a sky with clouds in the background during sunset.
A group of women sitting around a restaurant table, smiling, some flashing peace signs, in a cozy indoor setting with artwork on the walls and plants.

Isabella Thompson (@isabellathegreat_), founder of The Fiber Art Society, started the Community Crochet Mural Project in July 2024, blending her life-long passion for fiber art and community engagement. The mural consisted of 333 granny squares—totaling 83,916 double crochet—measuring over twenty feet wide and five feet tall, including nearly seven miles of yarn! Following the NEON Arts Festival, the mural was transformed into four blankets for donation to the YWCA of South Hampton Roads (@ywcashr) to support those in need. This project brought together a vibrant community of fiber artists, supported by local businesses and generous supply donations.

Fiber artists:

Isabella Thompson (@Isabellathegreat_), Benilda Midence (@linmodern), Kaye Ellen Trautman (@xray.angel), Jane (@jane_vaz_creations), Savannah Kerrick (@savy_k_), Whitney (@art_by__whitney_leao), Jazmine, Felicity (@felociraptor222), Byron L. Edwards (@byron.linnel), Kanisha Haskins (@the_earthy_child), Yoshley Ortiz (@__yortiz), and Alyssa Taylor (@aworldimpacted)

Community Support:

-Chrysler Museum of Art (@chryslermuseum)

-Zeke’s Norfolk (@zekesnfk)

-Creative ReUse Center (@757CreativeReUseCenter)

-NEON District (@neonnfk)

-The High Cup (@thehighcup_nfk)

Supply Donation:

Creative ReUse Center (@757CreativeReUseCenter)

the community crochet mural project

Group of women sitting around a dining table in a restaurant, smiling and posing for the photo.
Four women gather around a colorful knitted or crocheted blanket hanging on a black metal fence. Three are standing on the sidewalk, one is on a brick ledge, and they seem to be working on or inspecting the blanket as the woman on the brick ledge rea
People installing a colorful assembly of patchwork fabric squares on a black metal fence, with a brick wall below, in an outdoor urban setting during sunset.
Five women sitting around a table in a casual indoor setting, smiling, with various items like drinks, yarn, and a phone on the table. One woman is taking a selfie.
People sitting at a table with colorful crochet items, inside a sewing studio with vintage sewing machines displayed on shelves and a sign that reads 'S Wing Studio'.
Colorful crochet granny squares blanket displayed on a large wooden table in a craft room, with shelves and decorations in the background.
Four women sitting at a table engaging in knitting at a cozy, decorated craft night gathering with a neon sign on the wall that says 'Every Moment is Worth a Shot'. The room features autumnal decorations, paintings, and a television on the wall.
Four women are sitting around a round table knitting and chatting inside a historic building with stone arches and a stone wall with inscriptions. Knitting supplies and colorful yarns are on the table and in a plastic container nearby.
Four women sitting around a table in a cafe, knitting and crocheting, with yarn and crafting supplies on the table.
A woman taking a selfie from a high vantage point at a table with four women sitting around it and several pink and orange knitted items on the table.
A group of five women sitting around a small round table, smiling at the camera, in a room with a tiled wall and wooden flooring. They appear to be knitting or crocheting with yarn and knitting needles, with drinks and personal items on the table.
Two women sitting at a table with yarn, knitting needles, and knitting project in a public indoor space, smiling at the camera.
Two women sitting at a small round table knitting with yarn and knitting needles in a public indoor space, with a restaurant or dining area visible in the background.
People sitting at tables with red and white striped tablecloths, knitting and talking inside a large, arch-covered indoor space with a high ceiling and stone arches.
Three women smiling and standing together in front of a colorful flower and leaf crochet wall hanging.
Two women working on a colorful crocheted art installation around a mannequin dressed as a mermaid. They are adding crochet pieces to the installation.
A mermaid sculpture with blonde hair, a blue shimmering tail, and top, is displayed against a beige wall. Two women are examining the sculpture, one holding a measuring tape and the other looking at her phone.