Susan Swarthout has been a dedicated member of the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh since 2013. Her commitment to the guild and her passion for fiber arts have been instrumental in advancing the Guild’s community outreach efforts, particularly with refugee communities through the Outreach Committee. A former FGP president, Susan brings an eager enthusiasm for learning and mastering a variety of fiber techniques offered through Guild programs.
About Susan
Susan Swarthout grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to Pittsburgh after nearly 20 years in Southern California. During her time on the West Coast, she pursued a career in theater, working as a performer, director, producer, and executive director for a theater in D.C. and a performing arts center in California.
When Susan relocated to Pittsburgh, she embraced her creative passion for fiber arts. Within just two weeks of her arrival in 2013, she attended a fiber arts gathering for Knit the Bridge, a large-scale public art project. That event introduced her to the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh, which she fondly refers to as her “arts family.”
Community Outreach and Leadership
Susan’s participation in Knit the Bridge and later in Pop des Fleurs, another public art project, ignited her dedication to community outreach. After serving two years as Guild President, she took the initiative to revive the Outreach Committee in 2016.
Under her leadership, the Outreach Committee partnered with Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) to work with Pittsburgh’s refugee and immigrant communities. Through JFCS support groups, the committee provided fiber arts workshops to refugees from Korea, Afghanistan, Latin America, Turkey, and Ukraine. These workshops not only fostered social connections, but also empowered participants to create items for personal use or sale.
One notable success story is the Turkish group Kardelens, which Susan helped establish and support. She guided them in launching and maintaining an Etsy shop, allowing them to market their handmade creations online.
Teaching and Personal Artistic Practice
In addition to her work with the guild, Susan has spent the last decade as a teaching artist, sharing her skills with both children and adults through organizations such as Propel Schools, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Project Art, Contemporary Craft, and Creative Citizens Studios.
Susan is also an accomplished fiber artist in her own right. She has experimented with various mediums and techniques, including knitting, freeform crochet, needle felting, sashiko stitching, and visible mending with boro patches. More recently, she has ventured into creating fiber jewelry, blending creativity with practicality.
Her personal projects often focus on reducing her extensive stash of fiber materials—a sustainable and creative endeavor that aligns with her values. Many of these unique creations are available in her Etsy shop, Fiber Fanatic Fandango.
A Legacy of Dedication
Susan’s enthusiasm for fiber arts and her dedication to community outreach have left an indelible mark on the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh. Through her leadership, teaching, and personal artistry, she continues to inspire others, while fostering connections across cultures and communities.