EAST VILLAGE — If you've noticed more bike racks and street poles dressed in yarn, it's no accident. There is a group of "yarnbombers" working together to add color to the neighborhood — and they need some help.
The "Yarnstallation" group plans to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sept. 28 in The Annex, a rehabbed 1920s-era building at 1620 W. Chicago Ave. The group is hosted by Havas Worldwide workers, with participation from Wells Community Academy high school students and members of the public.
Mariana Parke, a Havas Worldwide brand director who works in the marketing firm's satellite East Village office — dubbed The Annex — said The Annex created Yarnstallations as an after-school class to teach kids knitting and yarnbombing.
Parke described yarnbombing as street art made with yarn rather than paint or chalk.
So far, the Yarnstallation group has installed four yarnbombs, and they aim to install a total of 15 by Oct. 1, Parke said.
The yarnbombs created so far vary in size. Smaller bombs include tiny skulls and pom poms, while larger installations cover light poles and bike racks.
Beyond fostering team work, artistic skills and community involvement, Yarnstallation aims to raise funds for Wells Community Academy, a neighborhood high school at 936 N. Ashland Ave.
On Oct. 14, The Annex is planning to host a fundraiser to support Wells Community Academy's arts programming, with all proceeds from that event donated to the school.
It's free to join the group as a walk-in at its weekly sessions, where materials are provided. For more info, stop in on Wednesday at The Annex, email Parke, or RSVP through the group's Eventbrite page.
Members of the "Yarnstellation" group at The Annex. [Provided]
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