Workshops :: Instructors 2007
Who was here in 2007? Lots of names you'll recognize! See this year's instructors.
Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival guests have enjoyed meeting instructors from the Sunshine Coast, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and further afield.
Names are listed below in alphabetical order, by surname. Workshop codes are linked in parentheses at the end of each bio.
See past instructors: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003; 2002; 2001 & earlier.
Janet Armstrong
Workshops: 2007-15, 2007-16
Janet believes that to be happy in life one must have a passion, and
hers is fibre! In her workshops she actively cultivates an atmosphere of
invigorating creativity, encouraging discovery and invention amongst the
participants. Janet has coordinated the Okanagan Knitting Retreat with
Wendy Henderson since 1999, and has taught at national (Quilt Canada)
and international (Japan, England) quilt conferences. www.janetarmstrong.com
Venessa Bentley
Workshops: 2007-17
Venessa grew up knitting, hooking, and stitching and now works full time
as an instructor, designer, and consultant. She is a graduate of the
Textile Arts Diploma Program at Capilano College, and a Fine Arts
Specialist for Elementary Schools. Venessa teaches knitting, crocheting,
and other fibre arts programs in several venues on the mainland. She
designs, exhibits, and sells her work.
Ursula Bentz
Workshops: 2007-13
Ursula came to Canada from Germany and moved to the Sunshine coast in
1996 where she has been actively involved in the community. Her growth
as a textile artist has been inspired by Avant Garde fashion, circus,
theatre and historic costumes, combined with ongoing education in
textile art. She graduated from the Capilano College Textile Arts
Program and is a member of the Sunshine Coast Spinners and Weavers Guild
and the BC Craft Association. A prolific artist, Ursula steadily
produces and sells her work, gives workshops in Felting and has entered
juried wearable art competitions in Port Moody and at the Gibsons
Landing Fibre Arts Festival. She loves working with natural and man made
fibres including recycled materials. Currently she is working out of her
home studio in beautiful Gibsons.
Deanna Bertelsen
Workshops: 2007-10
Deanna is a lifelong needlewoman whose passion is raised embroidery. She
is an Embroiderers' Association of Canada Certified Teacher and is
working on the Embroiderers' Guild of America's Master Craftsman program
in Surface Embroidery. She has taught at local and national levels from
Victoria to Atlanta, including seminars in Toronto, Truro, Regina and
Edmonton. She loves to see her students succeed.
Terri Bibby
Workshops: 2007-27
Terri is a fibre artist, educator and counselor who has a Certified
SAORI Pioneer Coaching site offering workshops and retreats on beautiful
Salt Spring Island, BC. She trained in traditional weaving, but has
discovered SAORI Weaving and is enjoying sharing the freedom of
expression that the SAORI approach encourages. www.saltspringweaving.com
Joan Carrigan
Workshops: 2007-1
Joan discovered basketry in 1991 and has since studied with numerous
outstanding basket makers. She has acquired a broad-based knowledge of
basketry techniques and materials and has taught extensively. Her work
has been exhibited in international juried shows and she is the
recipient of two Handweavers Guild of America Awards. We are pleased to
have Joan teaching again this year. www.joancarrigan.com
Betty Caskey
Workshops: 2007-5, 2007-9
Betty has been teaching various textile arts for over 20 years, using
silk ribbons, thread and beading. 14 years ago she started developing
kits, patterns and ideas that use the techniques she teaches in her
classes. Betty believes that everyone is creative and inspires her
students to try something new and different. We are pleased to have
Betty teaching again this year. www.victorianpleasures.com
Dianne Cross
Workshops: Olds College Master Spinner Certificate Program Level 1
Dianne began interpreting the imagery of the West Coast in hand-spun,
hand-dyed fibre about 30 years ago, and has developed fibre preparation
and spinning techniques which present perspective and light in graphic
ways in her tapestries.
The need to control both texture and fibre colour in creating the colour and light values of the West Coast scene led Dianne to Olds College in Alberta and their Master Spinner's Program. She obtained her Certificate from the College in August, 1990. The training she received in the Program assisted her in developing the various techniques for yarns that she uses. Dianne's thesis was a detailed account of the fibre preparation and spinning techniques that she employs in her tapestries.
Since earning her Master Spinner's certificate, Dianne has taught classes in B.C., Washington and Oregon in basic spinning, in fancy/novelty yarns and in the use of all fibres, both natural and man-made. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with spinners.
Freda Jackson
Workshops: 2007-22
Freda began rug hooking in the early 1990's while stationed in Nova
Scotia. She trained under Carol Morse, whose work has been published in
several rug-hooking magazines. Freda attended the Nova Scotia Rug
Hooking School and has participated in numerous workshops. Her
delightful classroom manner is an asset to the class. We are pleased to
have Freda teaching again this year.
Gary Kelly
Workshops: 2007-30, 2007-31
Gary is a self-taught wood turner. Beginning with the purchase of his
first wood turning lathe in 1980, his passion and commitment to wood
turning continues to grow. His expertise ranges from production work to
one of a kind unique pieces. Gary enjoys sharing his knowledge about and
love of wood turning with others and he conveys these elements with wit
and a sense of fun in his classes. We are pleased to have Gary teaching
again this year.
David Kemp
Workshops: 2007-29
David considers himself mostly self-taught. His award winning, unique
carvings, canes and walking sticks have been shown in galleries
throughout Alberta and are in private collections around the world. He
has taught seminars at Lee Valley Tools in Edmonton. We are pleased to
have David teaching again this year.
Lorna Kemp
Workshops: 2007-26
Lorna received her certificate in Fine Arts from the University of
Alberta and has also taken many courses over the past 15 years. She has
studied encaustic painting locally, via internet training and has
attended the comprehensive encaustic workshop in Seattle, Washington
with R & F Handmade Paints. She has developed a training program all
her own. Lorna shows and sells her encaustic art in and around Alberta
& across Canada. Her art can also be found in collections in Norway,
England and the USA.
Barbara Kingsland
Workshops: 2007-2, 2007-3
Barbara came from a family of teachers and artists and has a love of
both fields. Her experience as an educator of children has now evolved
into teaching adults. She has had a 30 year love affair with the many
aspects of basketry. She devotes all her time to basketry and has
recently incorporated copper into her work. We are pleased to have
Barbara teaching again this year.
Mike Komick
Workshops: 2007-32
Mike started work in the metal trade over 38 years ago, progressing from
welder to instructor to inspector. Wood and woodworking have been life
long hobbies however, and when asked a few years ago to make some chip
carving blades, this hobby soon led to a full time business. Mike's
tools are sold locally to select First Nation Artists as well as
distinctive artists throughout the world (a retailer in Germany is one
of his largest customers). We are pleased to have Mike teaching again
this year. www.preferrededge.ca
Doreen MacLauchlan
Workshops: 2007-14
Doreen is an avid fibre artist and an active member of the Sunshine
Coast Spinners & Weavers Guild. She has exhibited her work locally
through the Guild, Gibsons Landing Fibre Arts Festival, the Gibsons
Public Art Gallery and the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, as well as at
the regional conference of the Association of North West Weavers Guilds.
Although primarily a weaver, more recently she has been spinning and
learning to dye yarns and fibres. She learned to knit as a child and has
produced countless sweaters, hats and socks for children and adults.
Frequently asked how she manages to knit two socks at the same time,
Doreen will teach you how. We are pleased to have Doreen teaching again
this year.
Kim McKenna
Workshops: 2007-6, 2007-25
An experienced dyeing instructor Kim helps her students to develop a
better sense of colour while learning how to dye the fibre at hand. Kim
was instrumental in helping Treenway Silks to develop their space-dyed
tussah "Salt Spring Island series". Kim is also an experienced
spinning instructor. She enjoys helping others to hone their spinning
skills and to learn the intricacies of the fibre at hand. Kim was
published in Spin Off magazine in 2005 and is scheduled to have a second
article appear in the same publication later this year. We are pleased
to have Kim teaching again this year.
Marg Marlow
Workshops: 2007-18
Marg is an accomplished quilter who uses her sewing machine as extension
of herself, and she is known locally for her creative stitching and her
workshops. Her teaching methods are simplified, yet inspiring, and
appeal to the new as well as the more seasoned quilter, providing
opportunity for individual creativity. Marg teaches on the mainland and
at many Quilt Guilds. She has won awards for some of her pieces. Some of
her specialized techniques include Custom Creative Machine Quilting,
Embroidery and Thread Painting. We are pleased to have Marg teaching
again this year.
Diane Matier
Workshops: 2007-11, 2007-12
Diane's unique Art Quilts have been seen nationally. In 1997 she began
making Spirit Dolls to restore her energy and gain insight and peace.
She now enjoys sharing this art mediation process with others through
her inspirational workshops and slide presentations. Students love her
encouraging and stress free teaching style where "Anything
goes!". We are pleased to have Diane teaching again this year. www.artbyintuition.com
Pippa Moore
Workshops: 2007-19, 2007-20
Pippa has been a quilter and textile artist since 1980, and has taught
quilting since 1981. She is best known for her Africa-inspired quilts
and her fearless use of colour. She now works full-time from her studio
in Comox, BC, and has recently started her own business, Kitambaa Designs.
Judy Morningstar
Workshops: 2007-21
Judy is a fibre artist whose original designs push the boundaries of
quilt making without sacrificing quality workmanship standards. Her art
can be found in businesses and homes around the world. Several of her
pieces have been published in quilting magazines and books. She has
exhibited and won awards in many regional, national, and international
competitions, and has judged quilt shows on local, regional and national
levels. Judy was awarded Canadian Quilt Teacher of the Year in 2006 by
the Canadian Quilters Association. She has taught quilting workshops in
every province in Canada. Judy encourages creativity in each of her
students. Her keen sense of colour and design helps students create
pieces that are unique and personal.
Linda Pearce
Workshops: 2007-7
Linda is a 3rd generation fibre and textile artist. Painting, drawing,
stitching and creating generally have been a part of her life from her
earliest years. She has been a practicing artist and teacher for a good
part of her adult life. For the past few years canvas embroidery has
become a fascination for her. She has pursued its practice with
enthusiasm, finding endless challenge in the many ways colours can be
combined on the canvas. We are pleased to have Linda teaching again this
year. www.lindapearcestudio.com
Angela Possak
Workshops: 2007-23
Angela is a certified McGown rug hooking teacher and has been hooking
for over 25 years. She teaches in Peachland, BC, and each year takes
part in the McGown teachers' workshop at the University of Oregon. On
invitation, she also travels to other locations to conduct workshops. www.rughookingteacher.ca
Tricia Rasku
Workshops: Olds College Master Spinner Certificate Program Level 3
Tricia is a Master Spinner, weaver, felter, dyer, and soap maker who
lives in a ski town in BC. She only has a Samoyed X as fibre animals so
has to buy her supplies, which is welcomed by fibre suppliers and animal
breeders. She is interested in indigenous fibres and plants so did her
research paper on lichen dyes. She often explores dye sources while out
walking the dog. In the winter lichens and bark show well against the
snow.
Jay Rudolph
Workshops: 2007-8
Jay is a Capilano College Textile Arts graduate. As a lacemaker, she has
the recognition of her peers and gives workshops privately, through
community centres and conferences. Jay is motivated by dedication to
craftsmanship and detail. Bobbin Lace allows her to develop technical
excellence with room to explore and experiment. www.pearshapeddesigns.com
Heather Schwartz
Workshops: 2007-4
Heather has been making baskets for over 25 years, and has developed her
basketry skills through practice, workshops and various weaving
conferences in BC and the Seattle Basketry School. She has taught
extensively and has made, sold and exhibited thousands of baskets. From
early childhood she was surrounded with beautiful Native Indian baskets
and even today one can see those early influences in the baskets she creates.
Sunshine Coast Spinners and Weavers Guild
Workshops: 2007-24
This Sunshine Coast Guild is a talented group of fibre artists with
varying expertise in spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting. Several
members will share their expertise and enthusiasm for the wonderful
craft of spinning . You will have the opportunity, using the ancient
drop or hand spindle, to try your hand at this traditional art of making
yarn. We are pleased to have this Guild teaching again this year.
Gayle Vallance
Workshops: Olds College Master Spinner Certificate Program Level 2
Gayle has been a sheep breeder since 1976, maintaining a flock of
purebred Corriedales on a small farm near Fernie, B.C. She has a special
interest in dyeing, weaving, handcarding and spinning handcarded rolags
using the long, unsupported draw. She is a Master Spinner (Olds College,
1991) and has a Certificate of Excellence in Spinning, Technical Level (Handweavers
Guild of America, 1995). She has also passed the Basic Level of the
Master Weaver Program (Canadian Weavers' Guild, 1992). She has been
published in Spin-Off magazine (Summer 2002, Fall 2003) and has
instructed in several venues including the Master Spinner Program, HWSDA
Conferences, and the NorthWest Regional Spinners' Association Conference.
Jennifer Verrall
Workshops: 2007-28
Jennifer began weaving in 1991. She has benefited from many workshops,
in particular those of Jane Stafford. In 2001, she began an intensive
study of shadow weave and taught her first workshop in 2004. Her home
and studio are in Victoria, BC, where she is an active member of the
VICTORIA HANDWEAVERS' & SPINNERS' GUILD.