A group of islanders interested in local fiber production has organized a two-day event to raise awareness about what they call an important but not well recognized part of agriculture and the arts.

Faith Hagenhofer, a professional librarian, sheep keeper and nationally recognized fiber artist, will speak about creating and using fiber on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church. A potluck supper will be held at 5:30 p.m. followed by the talk at 7 p.m.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Vashon Library, a meeting for local fiber producers, fiber artists and users of the material is scheduled for islanders to share needs and resources and to generate new project ideas and collaborations.

Islanders Margot Boyer, Cathy Fulton, Emily McRae and Myra Willingham organized the event, which is sponsored by the Vashon Island Growers Association, Sustainable Vashon, the Vashon Pharmacy, Minglement, and Island Quilter.

The group would like to see the islanders who are raising fiber animals — such as sheep, alpaca, goats and rabbits — receive an income from the sales of the fiber and to make more of the fiber available to local spinners, knitters, weavers, quilters and other artisans.