We Are River People: Community Felting at Chesterfield Gorge
Fiber arts and river ecology come together at Chesterfield Gorge during “We Are River People,” a community felting project celebrating the Wild & Scenic Westfield River. Fabric artist Marjolaine Arsenault will be under the tent with wool, color, and materials for visitors to help create a collaborative wall hanging inspired by the river’s living systems. Fish, dragonflies, macroinvertebrates, turtles, crayfish, oxygen, vegetation, and flowing water can all become part of the piece, turning ecological observation into shared textile art.
The finished wall hanging will “Travel the Watershed,” appearing in each of the ten Wild & Scenic towns over the next few years. River scarves currently on display at the Becket Art Center through June 7, 2026, will also be shown at Chesterfield Gorge for inspiration. This community art opportunity is made possible through a grant from the Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee and the Trustees of Reservations, and was inspired by the “We Are River People” workshop series in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy.
