The South Dakota Arts Council (SDAC) awarded a South Dakota Artist Career Development Grant to Vermillion artist Phyllis W. Packard. Over the last year, Packard has worked diligently to create original fiber art of breathtaking local scenes with wool. She is pleased to share her new artwork on Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at Fotolab No.7, 7 Center St. in Vermillion. The reception will be from 3-6 pm, and this event is free and open to the public. The artwork is available for sale.
This popup exhibition will include several of Packard’s innovative wet felt and needle felt creations, which convey her admiration for the natural environments unique to South Dakota, specifically the Missouri River Valley. Even though Packard began her career as a fiber artist 60 years ago, she recently began making vibrant landscapes by wet felting and needle felting. Felting techniques resemble watercolor painting, but unspun wool and other fibers are used instead of paint. The artist begins the needle felting process by building basic shapes with colorful wool, but then she refines the work over time and adds details with specialized pronged needles. Packard uses wool to depict expressive forms, including clouds that appear to be moving across the sky and plants that are dancing in the breeze.
When developing this new series of fiber art, Packard stated, “Because I finally have the freedom to work as an artist full-time, I’m motivated to make artwork about the landscape in which I live and share it with the people in my community. It’s important for me to connect with others as I demonstrate my respect for the land upon which I live. I’m influenced by the natural environments in South Dakota, which is why this is my home.”
Also check out other Arts events in Vermillion, Exhibitions in Vermillion, Fine Arts events in Vermillion.
