Fibres & Beyond is gearing up for this year's edition of Consider the Lilies, an annual fibre arts show held in Metchosin.
This year marks the 23rd rendition of the textile and art show, which brings together artists from Sooke and Metchosin.
Founded in 2002 as a women's textile art co-operative, Fibres & Beyond gathers each year to showcase works spanning a variety of mediums, from quilting and knitting to sculpture and painting.
"We look forward to meeting people who come every year to see what we're doing now and how we've developed," said Linda Danielson, a co-op member who specializes in creating Edwardian animals—foxes, owls and moths dressed in lace and velvet. Danielson particularly enjoys learning about the new techniques her fellow artists have been working on.
Over the years, she said, the event has become quite popular.
"On the day we open, people actually line up at the door to come in and be the first to buy," she said.
"Sometimes we have busloads of folks coming in."
The show's name is a reference to the place and time of year it is held.
"We have always shown at the time when the lilies are blooming in the Metchosin St. Mary's graveyard. There's a whole mass of lilies all around the property, and that's where we got our name."
A key part of the festival for Danielson is the tribute artists contribute in honour of deceased members of the co-operative.
"We've lost three of our elderly Metchosin and Sooke members, so each year we pay tribute to them with homage to their art," she said.
"Each of us makes something from our own art area in homage to them."
The Fabulous Textile Art Show and Sale will be held at St. Mary's Church in Metchosin from April 5 to 13. More information on the artists and Consider the Lilies can be found at fibresandbeyond.com.
