In Oklahoma, fiber arts followed a similar chosen art form and its history with others in historical trajectory. Fiber art in the state can be her community, Grubbs helped found the Hand traced back to women weaving rugs, making Weavers League of Oklahoma in 1976. She taught quilts, and sewing clothing, as a function of Home Economics for a number of years, but domesticity and homemaking. In 1976, the eventually worked as a full-time fiber artist in Hand Weavers League of Oklahoma (now the addition to part-time work as a librarian. After her Fiber Artists of Oklahoma) was established in husband’s death in 1992 Grubbs became a full- Norman, allowing its members to share their time librarian, yet still found time to devote to her knowledge and passion for fiber arts. Just two fiber art. Following her retirement 20 years later, years later, the League initiated Fiberworks, she remained committed to her artistic practice. a juried art show of fiber arts that has since Grubbs has received numerous accolades, Stephanie Grubbs. Photo Pamela Husky hiking at Robber’s Cave. Julie Marks Blackstone. Photo courtesy courtesy of Stephanie Grubbs. Photo courtesy Pamela Husky. Julie Marks Blackstone. become an annual event. Of course, the role of including a cash award from the Oklahoma individual artists in the development of fiber arts Designer Craftsman art show as well as a variety in Oklahoma cannot be understated. Stephanie of awards from the Fiberworks annual art show. Grubbs, Pamela Husky, and Julie Marks Over the course of her career, Grubbs Blackstone are all Oklahoma fiber artists who, in has done work in weaving, basketry, paper- their decades of work, have made great impacts making, felt-making, and knotting, all the while on the artform in the state. mentoring other artists, including Pamela Husky. Stephanie Grubbs, a Sapulpa native, grew Her primary works are small vessels made up in southeastern Oklahoma. She earned her of a series of intricate knots. Concerned with degree from the University of Oklahoma (OU) the conflict between control and chaos in her in Home Economics, the educational sphere materials, the contrast in her vessels reveal the in which fiber arts were taught at the time, still self-described “compulsion” she has to tame considered by many to be a women’s domestic misbehaving threads into forms that elicit craft. Committed to sharing her passion for her comfort and calm. 4