Stealth Artists Strike at Ashland Library

ASHLAND, Mass. - June 7, 2013 - PRLog -- A group of Ashland artists created their first outdoor art installation this week under the dark of night. The site they chose for their Ashland Wrap-It Up Art Project on Wednesday was the Ashland Public Library, 66 Front Street, where they wrapped several lampposts in yarn, giving the otherwise unobtrusive black metal posts texture, color and whimsy.

The library wrapping will be taken down in a few weeks and new structures in town, like benches, mailboxes or bike racks, will be wrapped. The artists hope residents will begin to look for new, wrapped objects in town as the summer progresses.

Ashland Creative, a group of over 200 art enthusiasts started by Julie Nardone, and Andrea Green from Starting Line Studio are interested in “engaging the people of Ashland and sparking adventure and curiosity with art.” They cite a goal as “building community through the arts.”

Guerilla “Wrappers,” also known as “Yarn Bombers,” have struck in places like Boston’s South End, Providence, RI, and New York City as well as in cities around the world. International Yarn Bombing Day was first observed on June 11, 2011. This year is it observed on June 8.

Unlike some groups that don’t get permission, the Ashland artists will work with the Ashland police department and the business or town building where they are wrapping. The artists intend this project to be a grassroots effort to help create interest through art in Ashland’s downtown and other neighborhoods.