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At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, my family was crammed into a small house just outside D.C., desperate to get out. Within months, we had moved to the Eastern Shore. The kids loved the big backyard. My husband loved his home office. We all loved the beaches and parks, especially Tuckahoe and Adkins Arboretum. The only problem? We knew no one.
That was how I found myself standing amidst a group of strangers at Adkins a year later. Seeking connection to the community and searching for any excuse to crochet, I started signing up each year to participate in Yarnstorming, Adkins’ annual fiber art installation.
The more I participated, the more I became familiar with arts institutions in the area. There’s the Fiber Arts Center of the Eastern Shore (FACES) in Denton, featuring gorgeous quilt displays. Around the corner is the Foundry Art Gallery, presenting exhibitions and art classes. And of course there’s Adkins Arboretum itself, which hosts numerous exhibits and classes throughout the year, although my favorite thing to do is wander their trails and dream up my next project.
My Yarnstorming projects trend toward whimsical interpretations of nature. I’ve crocheted rainbow icicles, giant hot pink fungus, and fat ombré gourds. Though many choose to knit or crochet, others simply wrap yarn around branches or hang small textiles like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
My favorite part is getting to know the artists. Every year, Adkins hosts an art reception for the exhibit that includes a tour of the installations. As each artist speaks about their work, the beauty and sincerity of their stories inspires me. There are artists who learned fiber arts from relatives, whose work connects to the environment, who collaborate with distant friends, and whose work expresses deep compassion for others.
Fiber artists of all skill levels are welcome to participate in Yarnstorming by registering at the Visitor’s Center on January 17 . There is no fee to participate. Rules can be found on the Arboretum website at www.adkinsarboretum.com.
My story is just one thread woven in with all of the others, and yours can be, too. All it takes is a ball of yarn and a bit of courage. I am already looking forward to Yarnstorming 2026, and I hope to meet you there.
