Why do you consider the project successful, as related to your project goals above?
This is a public art project that people of all ages, and ability levels can participate in – no specific artistic ability is needed. Although the Yarn Bomb installation took take place in downtown Torrington, the project aimed for participation throughout the northwest corner and beyond. Everyone from young children to senior citizens were encouraged to participate regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, income and ability levels. Convalescent home residents, artists, church groups, businesses, craftspeople, public and private schools, community centers, social service agencies and college students all participated and expressed tremendous enthusiasm for the Yarn Bombing Project. Primarily people from northwest Ct took part, however we did have participants from other cities in CT and others from as far as Virginia and Florida. To quote Torrington Mayor, Elinor Carbone, “this project … is designed to create opportunities to broaden access to arts activities and experiences, as well as deepen participation in the creative process by creating with, rather than for, members of the community.”
How did you measure this success or progress?
The success of the project was measured by
1. Attendance of workshop , Yarn Bombing events and presentations
2. Amount of donated yarn
3. Social media postings
4. Number of calls to Five Points requesting Yarn Bomb information
5. The project team will learn the following through the registration and installation processes
6. Overall number of participants
7. Age range and genders of participants
8 Number of towns represented Business, organizational and municipal support
9. Quantity and quality of installation sites
10. Participant surveys
11. Written testimonials
12. Publicity coverage
13. Number of guided tours
Please describe any unexpected impacts:
The following illustrates something of the impact on individuals
THE YARN BOMB
by Willow Dealy
What is a yarn bomb, anyway? It's a form of graffiti consisting of stitchery. Imagine
some little old ladies creeping out at midnight to cover a parked bus with brightly colored
knitting, amazing the eyes of the public in the morning light. However, the Torrington Yarn
Bomb has the blessing of City Hall ~ and their participation, as you can now see from Main
Street! For months, people all over town had been preparing for June 11, the date of
installation. Not only senior citizens were stitching away, so were children in schools,
Scouts, shops, teams, families ... Finally that exciting Saturday came. We of Prime Time
House brought our yarn-work to the Five Points Art Gallery that was coordinating this event.
Noel, the curator, helped us put it up in our chosen spot. She had visited our clubhouse more
than once, teaching us how to finger-knit, giving us yarn & a framework for our banner. With
joy & fun, this was attached to a park bench, & pom-poms were hung on trees overhead, with
the help of 2 men & a truck-sized lift that Noel had procured for us. Elsewhere, lamp-posts
were garbed in bright stitchery, a ballerina danced, butterflies spun on threads, porn-porn
flowers sprouted up, a great jellyfish dangled from a branch, an under-sea scene flowed
across the bridge at the center of town, the mail box grew fuzzy feet, & tree trunks were
wrapped in granny squares. All this despite rainy weather, which then drenched those of us
who hadn't come early enough! But it was a warm day & a happy, fun occasion, & getting wet
was like being a kid again. The atmosphere was of appreciation & congratulation. Now, folks,
take a stroll downtown, over the bridge, through Coe Park - anywhere, but keep your eyes
open. A Starry Night overlooks the intersection of Main, East Main, & Water Street. A huge
peacock graces the building over Warner Theater. What looks like a mermaid is actually a
Selkie, or seal-fairy (according to Scottish legend, if you steal her seal-skin, she will make a
fine, if wistful, wife, but if she gets the skin back, she'll plunge back into the sea, leaving the
husband to pine away). Saint Peter's church boasts a garden of bright flowers. Saint Francis
wears a cloak with fuzzy creatures. A red whale soars through schools of fish in the "Patterson
Aquarium". An orange-haired kid with a frog in her/his pocket climbs an apple tree buzzing
with bees. You'll discover even more during the Torrington Yarn Bomb, which is to last till
September 11.
