Waldoboro fiber artist Laura McNelly will be showing her work in the River Room at River Arts Gallery beginning Thursday, Oct 26. There will be an opening reception Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.

McNelly, a former teacher and floral designer, was introduced to felting when she began volunteering at a local school and for a group of homeschoolers. McNelly began her pursuit of felting through online classes and other online resources to hone her skill and techniques. McNelly explains, “Felting is the process of using wool and specialty fibers to create works of art.”

McNelly finds inspiration for her pieces in her surroundings: from an ocean vista, a view across the blueberry barrens or flowers by the roadside. She enjoys incorporating her collection of yarns, silks and vintage laces into the art pieces and wearables as well.

McNelly states, “I love to create and have experimented with a variety of medium over the years this has resulted in a large collection of art supplies. It was time to focus on a medium that would allow me to use these materials. Felting for me became that vehicle. As I look around me I see God’s creation alive with color and texture. This inspires my work. I use the felting skills I have developed and my collection of yarns, silks and vintage laces to recreate what I see. I am enjoying the challenge of capturing what I observe around me in this medium.”

McNelly’s delightful show “Collections” will run through Wednesday, Nov. 15. 

River Arts is located at 36 Elm Street Plaza in Damariscotta. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the website at www.riverartsme.org or call the gallery at 563-6868.