Evolution of a Crochet Reef Part II

We started installing the next evolution of the Lake Bonneville Crochet Reef this week at the main library in downtown Salt Lake, to coincide with Water Week.

We are using all of the pieces and parts from the fall exhibit at Westminster, plus there are new additions as well.

Our challenge this time around is to make these library shelves and tables into a convincing reef.

We are using large pieces of felt and the crochet forms to turn angular metal shapes into organic forms.

On the second day, we added some blue fabric inside the shelves to give the impression of water and to further disguise things.  These shelves fold down and flip up; our goal here is to create cave and shelf-like spaces much as you might see on a real reef, while giving visual interest.

There are lots of fun little creatures to discover!

This is the other side; as you can see, it is very much a work in progress!

Our reef will be at the Salt Lake Public Library through the month of May, and will continue to grow during this time.  We will have "Grow the Reef" sessions on May 8 and 15, from 4-6pm.  If you have coral pieces you would like to add to the reef, come over and join us!  On May 12 at 1pm, we will have a hyperbolic crochet workshop to learn how to crochet the basic hyperbolic form.  Help us grow our community reef!

LBCR at the City Library

It's time to start crocheting again!  We are thrilled to be installing our next evolution of the Lake Bonneville Crochet Reef at the Salt Lake City Public Library, downtown, the first week in May. If you would like to participate, contact Bobbi at slccoralreef@gmail.com.  You can also follow us on Facebook.

Opening Night

We did it!  Lake Bonneville Crochet Reef opened Friday night at Westminster College.  This is 10 months worth of work of over 20 crochet artists, and 165 students from area schools and summer programs.

We had a pretty good turn out.  If you missed the opening, the exhibit will be up through the month of November.

Our reef has giant starfish....

and giant brain coral!

Frilly coral...

and loopy, twisty kelp like pieces.

Large plushy organisms....

and smaller, sharp pointed ones!

The variety is endless.

The visitors seemed very taken by the swimming fish and jelly fish.

We even have a resident gull!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this first incarnation of the Lake Bonneville Crochet Reef!

Artists:
Joanne Lovejoy
Deb Sussman
Kandace Steadman
Celeste
Sherly Gillilan
Naomi Marine
Vickie Morgan
Bobbi Lewin
Helen Rollins
Becci Webb
Penny Eidson
Sheri Krueuz
Marion Fowden
Cheryl Baker
Astara Knowley
Andrea Nelson
Hikmet Loe
Laurie Richards
Richelle Warr
Setenay Caldiero
Andy Wolcott

...the kids from: Franklin Elementary, Youth City, Utah Museum of Natural History Summer Camp, Hawthorne Elementary, and Mr. Cortez' class from Lincoln Elementary in Ogden.

..and of course Amy McDonald from Brolly Arts, and Jaimi Butler of Great Salt Lake Institute.  Thank you also to Westminster College for hosting our reef.

Our reef is going to continue to grow and will be displayed at various venues during 2012.  If you want to contribute send us an email at slccoralreef@gmail.com

Mr. Cortez' Class Crochets!

The Lake Bonneville Crochet Reef group went up to Ogden on Monday to crochet with Mr. Cortez' class.  What an amazing, brilliant, and enthusiastic group they were!

The kids caught on so fast!

They were excited to see what they could do in such a short time.

There was lots of innovating going on...

and thoughtful contemplation.

Big plans were being made:)

She could crochet with her eyes closed!

Everybody was having a good time.

There was even some silliness!

And competition!

I heard talk of going home to teach families how to do this.

The kids show off their sea weed here.  All of their work will be included in our reef exhibit at Westminster! 

It's Almost Time!

It's almost time to start building our reef!  Here is a sampling of some of the pieces that are coming in from our community crocheters!

The variety and the creativity are simply wonderful!

Do you have any crochet coral pieces you'd like to contribute?  Email Bobbi at slccoralreef@gmail.com, and we'll make arrangements for me to get them from you.

Our exhibit is scheduled to open October 28 at the Meldrum Science Center at Westminster.  Watch here for more details on time.  Also, remember to friend us on Facebook for updates on the project!

Antelope Island Field Trip

We had another amazing field trip out to the Great Salt Lake on Saturday, led by Jaimi of Great Salt Lake Institute.

I love our lake!  It is such an amazing and precious gift.

I've decided our reef needs birds!  And what other bird would do besides a California Gull?  Well, ok - pelicans, avocets, stilts.......  I'm putting out a challenge to create amigarumi birds for our reef!  What will you come up with?

Happy crocheting!

Bobbi