At Lincolnton Arts Center day program, Emily Drake’s hands move with quiet focus, guiding soft strands of wool into shape. With each precise stab of a barbed needle or careful swirl of water, unspun fibers transform into lifelike animals, rich with texture and detail. Since joining the center in August 2024, felting has become more than just an art form for Drake — it has provided a creative outlet that helps her focus and express herself. What started as simple curiosity has become a powerful form of self-expression, allowing Drake to bring her ideas to life while honing a skill that connects her to the world beyond the studio. Through felting, she has not only found her artistic voice but also a growing sense of confidence and belonging.
Felting as a Creative Outlet
Drake’s artistic talent became evident early on, as she quickly mastered the delicate and intricate process of felting. Rachel Kupper, a Creative Arts Specialist at Lincolnton Arts Center, describes Drake’s natural ability: “Emily has taken to felting like a duck to water. She’s a natural!” Kupper has worked alongside her, helping refine her skills, but notes that Drake’s instincts for the craft set her apart.
Felting, a medium that involves either water and agitation (wet felting) or a barbed needle repeatedly compressing wool (needle felting), requires patience, attention to detail and a steady hand. Drake has embraced these challenges, producing pieces that showcase both her creativity and technical ability.
Beyond its artistic rewards, felting has provided a therapeutic benefit for Drake, who describes how the repetitive motion and focused attention help manage her attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). “Felting helps a lot with my ADHD and constant shaking,” she shares. “It keeps my hands busy and helps me concentrate on what I’m making.”
“It makes me feel really proud of what I have done,” Drake shared when asked how she feels when people admire her work. Seeing her creations displayed and appreciated by visitors to the center reinforces her confidence and artistic identity.
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Art as a Bridge to Community
Drake’s talent extends beyond personal fulfillment — it connects her with others. Visitors to Lincolnton Arts Center regularly see her work, sparking conversations and admiration. “We have customers come in here, and they see Emily’s work and love it,” Kupper explained. “They tell other people about it and then they come back to learn more about what we do here.”
This natural engagement fosters inclusion and allows Drake to be seen for her artistic abilities rather than being defined by her disability. Her felting not only reflects her artistic skill but also serves as a bridge for interaction, giving her an opportunity to share her passion with a wider audience.
A Space for Growth and Self-Expression
For Drake, felting is more than an art form — it is a creative outlet that allows her to explore, experiment and grow. Unlike other structured activities that may emphasize precision and rules, felting offers flexibility. “You can’t really make mistakes with it,” Kupper noted. “You’re basically sculpting with it — there are no rules. You could start off making a dog and it ends up as a dragon.”
This adaptability makes felting particularly empowering for Drake, as it encourages creativity without fear of failure. It allows her to express herself freely while developing new techniques and refining her craft.
The support of the day program has helped Drake grow not just as an artist but as an individual. “It’s made me able to ask for help more when I need it,” she shares, recognizing the personal growth she has experienced through her time at the center.
At Lincolnton Arts Center, Drake has found an environment that nurtures her abilities, supports her artistic endeavors and connects her to a community that values her contributions. Through her work, she embodies the message of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) — that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are uniquely gifted and universally connected.
Her story is a testament to the power of creative expression, proving that when talents are recognized and nurtured, they have the ability to transform not only the individual but also the community around them.