Visitors Center 
Maine Fiberarts’ Visitors Center is located in Maine’s Midcoast at 13 Main Street in Topsham, 30 minutes north of Portland, 15 minutes north of Freeport, and immediately adjacent to the town of Brunswick. The Center is a place where we exhibit fiber art and craft, network and make referrals, and offer a small glimpse to the world of fiber before sending visitors out around Maine. Here, you can see our Slide & Digital Image Libraries, Reference Library, Events Bulletin Board, Pocketboard, and changing exhibits of artwork. You can also see a digital slideshow of art studios and fiber farms that are located on Maine Fiberarts Tour Map.
Hours: Maine Fiberarts is open weekdays, 10-4. Best to call first to be certain we're not away at a meeting.
Renovation News
Throughout 2007, our 1840's brick building underwent extensive renovations. Construction is now complete, and a two-story addition has been beautifully constructed by local craftsmen. The new rooms are finished with white pickled beadboard, windows that overlook gardens and stonework, and new walls for displaying artwork.
Fiber Art Exhibits
Handmade paper, hooked rugs, woven wall hangings, knitted sculpture—Maine Fiberarts exhibits work by Maine artists at our Center in shows that change every two months. Email us to learn about current shows or watch our newsletter for upcoming events. Becoming a member of Maine Fiberarts is the best way to learn about upcoming events.
Slide & Digital Image Libraries
Gallery and museum curators select work for shows from our slides of the work of over 120 artists. Slides are also taken to events and are regularly shown to magazine editors, interior decorators, fashion show coordinators, conference delegates, and fairgoers. We use images of farms, animals, demonstrators, classroom activities, exhibitions, and artists at work in their studios in our promotional materials and welcome submissions from members.
Reference Library
Amidst comfortable chairs, our Center hosts a library of fiber-related books, magazines, newsletters, exhibit catalogs and workshop flyers from art and craft resources throughout the U.S. Come research fiber with us.
The Pocketboard
Members’ printed materials—brochures, postcards, business cards, and announcements—are displayed on our Pocketboard, a trifold linen screen with pockets. Visitors peruse the Pocketboard to learn when to take a weaving class, how to find a prize fleece, or where to locate an artist’s studio.
Networking
In person, by phone, and through the Internet, we connect people to teachers, studios, farms, suppliers, and events using our statewide database of over 3400 fiber resources. At the Center, the Slide Library and Pocketboard make these connections visual. We encourage producers, makers, and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these opportunities to connect with others. Become a member of Maine Fiberarts and give us slides of your artwork or your printed materials.
Get Involved!
Maine Fiberarts will create a new Tour Map to Studios & Farms in 2009 with all sites open to the public by appointment throughout the year and during our special Open Weekend August 7-9, 2009. Sites listed on our current 2006 map—including art studios, fabric shops, fiber farms, processing mills, and other destinations—may still be visited throughout the year although it's always best to phone first before making a visit. See our Tour Map page to find out how to get your copy of our Tour Map.
Fiber Fridays
All are welcome to join us at the Visitors Center, the first Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon, for a morning of handwork and sharing. So far, an ever-changing group of makers have been knitting, stitching, hooking, painting, beading and enjoying. Start the weekend off right!
Directions