Fine Line offers artists a chance to experiment

Multiple rooms were buzzing with artistic activities at the Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles Saturday as dozens of people explored new art forms and techniques during the center’s exploration day.

For a fee — $50 for members or $75 for others — artists and art newcomers could sample mini versions of art classes offered by the center that piqued their interest. All materials were covered in the fee and patrons could try their hand at as many of the art forms as they liked during the five-hour event. Options included knitting, basket making, copper jewelry etching, felting, blacksmithing and ceramics.

Pam Hirsch of Algonquin and Ann Sutherland of Winfield came to try weaving on looms. Hirsch, who has been knitting for 15 years and crocheting for 30 years, said she loves fiber arts. She discovered she enjoyed the repetitive movements of working a loom while weaving, “because it’s soothing. I learned how to spin for that reason.”

Sutherland, who has been a potter at the Fine Line for several years, echoed Hirsch’s comments saying, “I like the rhythm of it, to watch the pattern develop.”

She said that after walking past the looms so many times at the center (there are close to 25 looms in the weaving room), “it looked like something I’d like to try.”

For more information about classes, go to fineline.org or visit the center at 37W570 Bolcum Road in St. Charles Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.