Local artists ‘yarn bomb’ Maxine’s Tap Room for 70th anniversary

Last Saturday, on one of the warmest days of the early spring so far, a dozen or so local crochet artists ‘yarn bombed’ a building in downtown Fayetteville.

The artists, who are calling themselves ‘Crochetitvillle,’ almost completely covered most of the exterior walls of Maxine’s Tap Room to help celebrate National Crochet Month, and to commemorate the bar’s 70th anniversary in business in March.

The group is led by Gina Gallina Dulling, a Eureka Springs fiber artist that recently moved to Fayetteville.

Her work may be familiar to locals. She has been a regular with her crocheted creations at Block Street Block Party, and was one of the artists selected to participate in the Green Candy public art project installed in Fayetteville a few years ago (her piece was the giant crocheted strawberry that hung outside the Walker Stone House, and then near the visitor’s center on the square).

Other crocheters that participated in the #Crochetitville project include Gary Burke, Mary Martin Cochran, Connie Evans, Donna Farar, Sam G. Faulkner, Pam Greenway, Vicki Hardcastle, Amber West Higgins, Sheila Kuonen, Kelli Coe Ladwig, Karen Rocket McFadden, Tina Oppenheimer, Susan Reed, Louise Regan, Jan Roberts, Jane Tucker, Cherie Wagner, and Alyssa Zimmerman.

We got in touch with Gina to learn more about her most recent, and largest, project to date, and she was nice enough to answer some questions for us.

The #crochetitville installation is quite impressive. How many folks worked on it, and how long did it take?
Thank you! Our group had about 15 who crocheted. We started early November. We wanted to have more time, but really pushed ourselves to the limit! We are actually impressed with what we did in a short amount of time.

I’ve seen some of your work, and it is all impressive, but is this the largest project you’ve ever worked on?
Yes! Has always been on my bucket list to yarn bomb a building. I have been told ‘no’ many times When I asked Hannah at Maxine’s she didn’t flinch. She said yes. Maybe she didnt think we would really do it.

What are some of your other favorite pieces you’ve created so far?
Well the building will always be my favorite and special because I was able to work with my friends who are incredible artists themselves and crocheters. I did love the giant 8 foot pineapple I created for Stay Pineapple at the Alise Hotel in Chicago. Which led to the giant Strawberry for the Green Candy project.

I loved all the parades I crocheted for as well. I loved the Yarnography with Jeremy Mason McGraw for Global image Creation in 2013 at the Press Room in Bentonville. I guess I could go on and say I love them all. Each one was special.

The piece at Maxne’s is intended to stay up for a month, correct? How do you think it’ll hold up to the weather?
Yes one month. And I guess we shall find out! The yarn we use is acrylic. So it doesn’t absorb liquid compared if we used natural fibers. The Fayetteville strawberry has done well in all 4 seasons. Also the trees we covered held up great. Only concern is the sun fading the color. But won’t be up that long to have that happen. Acrylic yarn is beast. We can wash it and will come out brand new.

What’s next for you guys?
We plan to crochet for the Pride Parade next!

Is there a name for the installation at Maxine’s?
Happy Birthday Maxine’s! We love you Fayetteville.

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