About Us - Prairie Arts and Fibers, Ltd.
The vision for Prairie Arts and Fibers came to me as I was wrestling with burnout from a long commute and cubicle confinement—and the existential questions stirred up by a dear friend’s terminal cancer diagnosis. Was I living the way I’d want to live if someone had given me 9-12 months to live? No….
Also in this mix was a class I'd taken through the Graduate School of Business at Loyola University Chicago, that transformed my worldview. Titled "Global Sustainable Consumption," it was taught in Greece. We saw first-hand the lingering environmental consequences of overconsumption during the Greek Empire. We read--and argued about--the effects of our consumption on world economies and the global environment. And we talked about the integrity of living closer to home, supporting local and regional agriculture, knowing where our goods come from, supporting artisans among us. We talked about having less, and examining our values in what we have.
Would I relish the opportunity to share a lifetime’s appreciation for handmade work, and to showcase Midwestern creativity? Would I want to be like the yarn shop owners I admire so much? Absolutely!
Prairie Arts and Fibers is a place that celebrates Midwestern creativity. It’s two shops under the same roof—a boutique/gallery of work from artisans with Midwest connections, and a yarn studio for our local knitters.
Here you’ll find pottery, woodwork, paintings, photography, art glass, jewelry, and a host of tasteful, moderately-priced home décor and gift items, made by hand, most all of renewable materials and many using sustainable processes.
You’ll also find a carefully-selected stock of yarns and fibers for knitting and crochet. Dorcas Sokolow, a local expert knitter and experienced knitting teacher, will be offering classes and individual instruction. The needlearts are a profoundly satisfying way to develop your own creativity, to put a personal touch to gifts, and to have something you can enjoy for years.
Prairie Arts and Fibers is a welcoming place that will invite you to be inspired!
Linda Keating