The nimble fingers of students in the quilling class carefully curled, shaped and glued thin strips of paper on various wood plaques to create delicate scenes such as butterflies among flowers and other designs.
The students were participants of this week’s quilling class sponsored by the McKean County Arts Council at the agency’s studio and offices in the Old Post Office in Bradford.
Instructor Corinne Hooten said the class was the second to be offered by the arts council, which observed its one-year anniversary this month.
Board member Kim Nicholas, who organized the class, said most of the participants were from Bradford, but the agency hopes to expand and offer programs in other communities in McKean County.
“This is only our second class, so we’re looking to branch out, even by helping other places with their art classes,” Nicholas said, noting the organization partnered with First Night Bradford last year. Board member Roger Peters said the first class, a drumming circle, was well-received.
Nicholas said board members consider the arts council to be “very lucky” as it has an office, and in addition to the classes, has conducted a couple of gallery nights.
She said a Chamber After Hours event on July 12 will also be held at the arts council offices.
“We’re really excited about the public seeing our offices,” Nicholas added. “We also plan to have two other art classes and hopefully an author this year.
“It’s not just about making stuff, it’s about artists and helping them find their voice,” Nicholas explained.
Peters noted the organization isn’t limited to artists who paint, draw or color, but also to crafts people, photographers, potters, musicians, dancers and those interested in the fiber arts.
As for this week’s class, Hooten said quilling is also referred to as the art of filigree, which can use almost any type of paper for the designs.
“This is 65-pound card stock, it has some substance to it,” Hooten said of paper used for her class. “If it’s too thick it won’t curl.”
While the class used toothpicks to curl the paper around, Hooten said there is a metal quilling tool available on the market for those who become serious about the art.
“It’s called quilling because originally they would wrap the paper around the end of a goose quill,” Hooten said in sharing the history of quilling which is believed to have originated in the 13th or 14th century.
“By the 16th and 17th centuries, French and Italian nuns were doing very elaborate pieces,” Hooten said. “In the 18th century it was (a pastime) for the well-to-do ladies — they would be taught needlepoint and quilling. They decorated coat of arms, frames, pictures, tea caddies and furniture” with quilled artwork.
Hooten said the art pieces created by her students can be framed or given as gifts, as well.
“They can also be freestanding or quilled sculpture,” she said holding up a delicate Faberge-style egg she made from paper. Hooten also created a small manger scene using the art, as well as jewelry with inlaid quilling designs. She said the egg required approximately 100 hours of work to complete.
Participants of the class included Abbey Nuzzo, 10, who attended with her aunt, Angela Nuzzo.
Abbey was found writing her name on a plaque with quilled letters.
“I like twisting the paper,” Abbey admitted.
An adult participant, Jennifer Ward of Salamanca, N.Y., was working on an elaborate flower and butterfly decoration on her plaque.
“It’s fun, I wanted to do (the design) to get me into the spring and summer spirit,” Ward said with a laugh. “I’ve got to show my mother, she’ll think it’s neat.”
Her friend, April Lane of Bradford, said she admired Ward’s piece, which had intricate designs.
“That’s not the work of an amateur,” Lane said of her friend’s work.
For more information on the arts council, or its programs, send emails to kimberlynicholas4@gmail.com.
