Vibrant quilts adorn the walls, intricately laced thread forms the shape of a delicate face, and pottery made entirely of felt occupies a table at the West Hartford Art League's new gallery exhibit.

"It's a traditional medium that has exploded," West Hartford Art League Art Director Roxanne Stachelek said as she pointed to a whimsical sculpture made entirely of waxed linen.

If the words "fiber arts" conjure images of quilts painstaking sewn together with scraps and left-over fabric by grandma, this exhibit will change that.

The exhibit, appropriately titled "Out of the Loop: A Juried Fiber Exhibit," features both local and nationwide talent. "Out of the Loop" showcases art that is created through manipulation of various mediums of fiber. Felt, fabric, yarn, paper, and thread are among some of the fibers integrated within each individual piece. 

Artists hailing from Iowa, Massachusetts, even Alaska, contribute to the assortment of art. And the artists are grateful for the opportunity to share their creations with the public, Stachelek said.

"There aren't a lot of venues to showcase contemporary fiber art, and we thought there was a need to share it with the public. It all happened very quickly. We initially thought of the idea in August,  sent out a call for artists in September, advertised to different fiber groups and opened the show Nov. 11," Stachelek said.

There was such an overwhelming response, Stachelek has decided to feature a juried fiber exhibit on an annual basis.

Michelle Hannon, an East Hartford resident, admired the art one day earlier this month.

  "It's a very modern take on quilts -- and fabric-based art in general. It's more interesting, and has more character, than traditional art involving textiles. I actually never really knew the possibilities of fiber art."

"Art is more than painting and sculpture," Stachelek said, "and this is honestly one of the most diversifying, most creative exhibits I've held in the 10 years I've been here."

The exhibit runs through Dec. 5 at the Gallery at Blue Back Square (in the same lot as REI) and is free and open to the public.

Gallery at Blue Back Square hours of operation are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9-1, Thursday 9-3, Friday 11-3, Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m.