FOFA – Focus On Fiber Art @ Room, Frenchtown NJ – Bucks County PA
art gallery, fiber art studio and gallery, art quilts, textile art, fiber art, felt art, hand dyed scarves, wire art, mixed media, wearable art, jewelry, accessories, discount designer lighting clearance – closeout
about
I’m Elena Stokes, owner and resident artist of Focus On Fiber Art @ Room. This is my studio and gallery where I create art quilts and fiber art.
As many are new to the world of fiber arts, it is my great pleasure to bring attention and awareness to fiber and textile art, which is rich, diverse and exciting. I am delighted as my customers walk in and smile in the discovery of a world of artwork previously unknown to them. I’m even more delighted when they discover a wonderful work of art that brings them so much joy, that they can’t live without it. Its’ a little sad to say goodbye to one of my beloved pieces but I’m so happy to give it a good home where I know it will be loved and well cared for.
While the origins of many techniques used by textile and fiber artists began as utilitarian, such as quilting, weaving and felting, the uses of textiles and fiber in art have undergone a transformation over recent years, transcending the domestic arts to folk art, from folk art to fine art. It is very exciting for me to be a part of this emerging art form that has such deep roots in our culture.
A little history. . . As some of you know, I originally opened as a home décor store called Room in June of 2008. Yes, I said 2008 and I know what you’re thinking and you would be right. Perfect timing. But for me it was. Starting my own business was and is a continuing journey of self exploration.
In June of 2008, I opened and was off and running my own business. Unfortunately, the economy didn’t cooperate. I’ll admit I came close to throwing in the towel. But rather than retreat, I decided to reinvent and return to my long lost love of quilt and fiber art. I set up a small studio area in the store and let my creative juices flow. Something clicked, within me and within my customers. I went crazy painting and dyeing silk scarves and people went crazy over them. I pulled out old projects half started and started all new ones. Before the end of the year, I found myself in a textile art show in New Hope and that did it. Something inside me was calling and I had to answer back. Yes.
In January 2010 the transition from home décor to a destination for fiber art began in earnest. Fiber and textile art is very diverse. It’s artwork and artwear. Here at the gallery, you’ll find art quilts, fiber art, felt art, sculpture, wearable art as well as a dash of mixed media, pottery, metal art and paintings, either created here by me in my studio or by local artists. Since the focus will be on fiber art, the new name came easily: Focus On Fiber Art @ Room (I like the nickname FOFA.)
Sadly, Room the home décor store is no longer. But Room is still here and so am I. And we’re both focusing on fiber art. You’ll find me here down the old stone path that leads back to the annex of the historic Gem building on Bridge Street.
Stop in sometime, say hello and enjoy . . .
FOFA @ ROOM is located at 10 Bridge Street in Frenchtown, New Jersey, on the scenic Delaware River. Centrally situated, Frenchtown lies just up river from New Hope and Lambertville, a few minutes west of Flemington, south of historic Clinton and just across the Delaware from beautiful Bucks County, Pa.