Unique History Matinee: Sleeping Beauty and Leonardo da Vinci

Sunday, June 24, 3 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station

— from Carol Kulminski–

A little different than the usual Orcas Island Historical Museum History Matinee, this presentation includes the history of spinning and weaving and the opportunity to try the spindles yourself.

The presenter, Barbara Bentley, is a retired university professor who now has time to pursue a lifelong attraction to the fiber arts. Starting with lessons in knitting from her Grandmother, Barbara has always loved working with fiber and fabric. But it is spinning and weaving that truly captured her imagination after a sabbatical on a sheep farm in Western Australia. She sometimes brags that she can make a garment all the way from the back of a sheep to a cabled Icelandic sweater without the need for electricity.

The process of creating soft, flowing fabric from rigid mechanical devices captivates both her scientific mind and feminine soul. As a biologist, Barbara finds most inspiration in the shapes and colors of the natural world. Dyeing the yarn for many of her projects adds to the breadth of both her own personal experiences with the fiber, as well as adding diversity to her final designs.

Come and not only learn about the history of spinning, but experience it. This is a Free Community Event and families with school-age children are welcome. orcasmuseums.org