Sweater Tree Forest Returns to Downtown Livermore
By: The Independent
http://www.independentnews.com/community/sweater-tree-forest-returns-to-downtown-livermore/article_4c2b8710-5ce4-11e5-9e47-67bb93c9236d.html
The Bothwell Arts Center will sponsor the return of the Tree Sweater Forest this year in downtown Livermore.
The fun and whimsical fiber art installation, created with yarn, first made an appearance last fall on trees along First Street in Downtown Livermore. Popular with both knitters and local residents, the Tree Sweater Forest returns beginning September 30 and will remain on display through November 20, 2015. Hand-knit sweaters will wrap around select trees on First Street between Maple Street and L Street.
Local knitters and crocheters say they are enthusiastic about this creative way to make use of leftover yarn and unfinished knitting projects. Known as yarn bombing, knit display pieces are used to add temporary creative statements in a public area. Local knitters first decorated Livermore’s trees last fall and wanted to bring the sweater project back this year. The sweaters also have a useful purpose after the display period is over, when they are donated to the Valley Humane Society to be repurposed as pet bedding and comfort pieces for shelter animals.
Tour maps of the trees will be available after September 30th at the Bankhead Theater, the Bothwell Arts Center, and the Carnegie Museum and Art Gallery, as well as online at bothwellartscenter.org. The Tree Sweater Forest can be viewed any time between September 30th and November 20th, including during ArtWalk on October 10th when attendees can meet some of the knitters at the Bothwell booth.The Valley Humane Society will be at the booth with some adoptable pets.
For information, email agiancola@livermoreperformingarts.org.