Robin Shafer is in her first year as assistant director for the open class exhibits in the Home and Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko County Community Fair. She made the orange socks in the case.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Robin Shafer says “there’s so much talent in this community that people probably do not know about.”

The first-year assistant director for the open class exhibits at the Home and Family Arts Building at the Kosciusko County Community Fair said on Monday, July 8, that’s why people should view the exhibits during fair week.

The open class exhibits are primarily aimed at adults, with photography, needlework and more on display.

Shafer herself knitted a pair of socks for the needlework category and has shown items at the fair for five years.

She noted “it’s fun to see how I stack up against other knitters.”

Shafer is involved with the Tippecanoe Township Extension Homemakers Club, but people don’t have to be involved with a club to exhibit.

“I’d like to see more people exhibit things,” she said. “I know we have a lot more crafty people out there.”

“The activities director for Grace Village (Retirement Community), he does some artwork with the residents there and he brings it in here to exhibit,” added Shafer. “The talent is incredible especially when you consider that a lot of these people never picked up a paintbrush before or a pencil or paints. It’s really kind of nice to see that.”

She noted if people do join a club they can “make friends.”

If people are interested in joining a club, they may call the extension office at (574) 372-2340 or sign up in the Home and Family Arts Building this week.