Seal Street Park in downtown Sequim was the scene of a brazen attack by the bombers Wednesday evening. Eyewitnesses report they seemed to be having fun.

 

Members of the Fiber Arts Bombardiers anonymously e-mailed this photo to the Gazette. City officials may be interested in determining who the vandals are. Or they may not.

Sequim Gazette staff

Vandals armed with knitting needles attacked six locations in Sequim Thursday, May 31, leaving the public spaces more delightful in the process.

Some critics have since called the attacks "acts of premeditated whimsicality."

An anonymous spokesman for the group, who collectively call themselves the "Fiber Arts Bombardiers, AKA FAB," says more of these attacks are planned.

In an e-mail to the Gazette, "Brick House" (presumably a pseudonym) warned this was just the first yarn bombing. "More will surface in both Sequim and PA prior to the official June 9th International Yarn Bombing Day," the anonymous e-mailer said.

In the e-mail, the self-styled "guerilla graffiti" artist also provided the accompanying group photo and the organization's manifesto, which begins by declaring, "We color the world, one skein at a time."

The manifesto also includes the following demands and statements:

• We believe that the hard edges of ordinary life can be softened by adding generous doses of color and whimsy, and we make our marks in a medium that is cozy, non-permanent, and non-destructive.

• Call what we do “graffiti” or call it...Transformation.

• Don’t like our efforts? Just unpick them!

• But it’s more fun to picnic than nitpick. Join our adventure as we pursue our playful type of global warming!

The six Sequim locations subjected to the Thursday bombings include the Sunshine Cafe, Museum and Arts Center, Seal Street Park, A Dropped Stitch, Bank of American Park and North Olympic Family Practice.

Sequim Mayor Ken Hays is making common cause with the bombers, saying, "the yarn-art attack today really excites me! I think it is refreshing and profound, possibly beyond the creator’s intentions.

"Thank you and congratulations to these rascal ladies; they have succeeded in bringing us back from the everyday commodification of art-even in our galleries, and have truly created a well styled, expressive environmental aesthetic. And best, are freely and wonderfully sharing it with all of us.

The Fiber Arts Bombardiers also have Facebook page where they posted further pictures. See www.facebook.com/ FiberArtsBombardiers.

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