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Copyright 2018 Circle Craft Coop All Rights Reserved

Located on Granville Island in the Net Loft, Circle Craft Co-operative features the work of over 150 of the craftspeople from across British Columbia.

Open 7 days a week from 10 am – 7 pm

BOARD

Kaarina Talvila
Board President

Kaarina grew up in Toronto and moved to the West Coast after completing a degree in Geology at the University of Toronto. She had a ten-year career in the resource fields before going back to school to study Surface Design at Capilano University. The work she does now encompasses two different areas of fibre – boxes and stationery items of handmade papers, and one-of-a-kind handbags and purses of such diverse materials as silk fabric, non-woven wild silk and handmade paper.

“My Circle Craft membership dates back to my student days at Cap in the 1980s. The Co-op has given me so much over the years – sales and exhibition opportunities, social contacts, support, and exposure to an exceptional standard of quality. By being on the Board, I hope to ensure that all of Circle Craft’s members have as positive an experience as I have had and also to help guide the Co-op to fulfill a larger role in the BC craft community.”

Greg Kawczynski 
Scholarship Committee Chair

Greg Kawczynski has been a member of Circle Craft for over 25 years. In 1988 he emigrated to Canada from Poland, where he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, faculty of Sculpture.

He started working in ceramic arts in 2005, for an exhibition with Circle Craft, and presented few dozen of his birds, made in various techniques. Greg’s interest in joining the Board came from a curiosity of what challenges the organization is dealing with and a hope that his experience, as both an Artist and member, will be useful to both membership and staff.

Jenny Hildebrand 
Membership Chair

Jenny Hildebrand is a self-taught felt wear designer and fibre artist whose approach employs the ancient art of hand felting alongside modern techniques to create luxurious contemporary products.
Born and raised in the lower mainland, Jenny currently lives in Cordova Bay, BC, where she draws inspiration for her work from the natural beauty of the Saanich Peninsula.

Jenny is honoured to have been a member of Circle Craft since 2015 and now, as a member of the Board, trusts that her experience in project development/management, and recent completion of an MA in Global Leadership (2019), will enable her to make a significant contribution to the continuing development of the Cooperative.

Jo Ludwig
Gallery Committee Chair

After spending 20 years in Edmonton, where I apprenticed as heavy duty mechanic, met my wife Peggy Brackett, and studied philosophy at the University of Alberta, I moved to Victoria in 1997. There I rented a small industrial space and, together with Peggy, started KilnArt Glass Studio. We taught ourselves glass fusing and kiln forming, on the basis of which I became a member of Circle Craft in 2003. In 2007 we moved to Crofton, where KilnArt Glass Studio continues to thrive. In 2015 I started working in metal as well, making steampunk/folk-art sculptures.

In 2002 I joined the Island Artisans Association, serving on its board for several years, and in 2010 I was one of three founding members of the Cowichan Valley Artisans, producing the first year round studio tour in the valley.

I have always been proud to be a member of Circle Craft, and after so may years of selling in the shop and exhibiting at the Christmas Market, I feel it is time to contribute to the Co-op in my turn.

Elaine Brewer-White
Chair of Retail Committee
Elaine Brewer-White has been a ceramic artist for over 35 years,  creating figurative sculpture and one of a kind pottery focused on shape, texture and color. She incorporates her theatrical background into her work, letting  gesture, humor and empathy guide her ideas.
Since graduating from Emily Carr College in 1986, she has owned four businesses in the arts: Culture Talks, The Comedy Factory, The Hands-On Art Park and now Elaine Brewer-White Ceramics.   
Her artwork is in private and public collections  worldwide,  but really…who cares! It’s all about  the making, and what comes next!!
Wendy Van Riesen
Chair of the Nominations Committee
Wendy graduated in 2006 from Capilano University’s in the full time Textile Arts Program and the pattern cutting portion of the Costuming for Film and Stage Program.  She has developed a large portfolio of textile dyeing and surface design techniques as well as cutting and drafting pattern development.  She uses these skills to create her line known as Dahlia Drive. Wendy was born on Dahlia Drive in Los Angeles and moved to Calgary in the mid- ‘60’s.               
She studied acting at the University of Alberta and the Playhouse Acting School in Vancouver.  After working 26 years on stage and film, culminating in a Jessie Award for Best Actress in 2001, she moved from performing stories to articulating stories through textile arts and hasn’t looked back. 
Copyright Circle Craft Co-operative 2020. All Rights Reserved