Learn, share, take part!

Each year, we bring together talented craftspeople and artisans from across the region to provide guidance and instruction for workshop participants. Workshops range from a couple of hours to multi-day affairs, where participants get to create beautiful works to take home with them, along with newly acquired skills and often new friendships! Workshop space is limited, so please be sure to register early to avoid disappointment.

Needle Felted Moose Workshop

Location: Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts
Instructor: Wendy Vey / Wendy’s Whimsies
Date: September 23, 2023 Beginning at 10am
Cost: $100
Materials Included
Maximum number of participants: 10

Needle Felted Moose

Needle felting is a method of dry felting wool, using specialized needles to create both flat, and 3-dimensional felted pieces. This is an intermediate workshop for artists/crafters with previous experience in needle felting.

In this 5-hour workshop, we will be creating a 3-dimensional moose sculpture, using a wire armature to add strength and support. The moose stands approx.. 7”/18cm tall (including the antlers) and is approx.. 6 ½”/16cm long, it stands on a piece of flat felted greenery. We will learn about wrapping the armature with wool, creating a basic shape, as well as adding the colour and finishing touches.

Please be aware that we will be using multiple types of natural wool and this workshop is not appropriate for persons with wool allergies or sensitivities.

Wendy Vey is a Visual and Theatre artist living in Corner Brook, NL. Born in Goose Bay Labrador, Wendy has been creating art for as long as she can remember. Her passion for needle felting began 10 years ago when a friend ordered a couple of needle felting kits, and while her friend realized needle felting wasn’t her thing, it was just the beginning of Wendy’s love for the craft. She has been poking wool with needles ever since.

Wendy’s Whimsie was born out of a desire to find a new creative outlet to express love for her homeland, colour, and whimsy. As such, whether she is using textiles, fibre, metal, or reclaimed jewelry her art is filled with love, colour, and joy. Wendy continues to follow her personal motto:

“Dream, Believe, Create, and Inspire”

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Yarn Painting

Instructor: Blake Mills
Location: Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023 10am - 4pm
Cost: $100
Maximum number of participants: 8

Description of the workshop and specific Objectives

1. This workshop will teach the basics of Yarn Painting using traditional methods dating back over 400 years.
2. The instructor will supply beeswax-coated bases on which the yarn painting will be done, a selection of patterns, transfer materials, and pens. Participants are asked to bring assorted yarns (worsted weight works well but novelty yarns can also be used for highlighting and special effects) and a No. 4 knitting needle. Yarn and other assorted materials will be available to purchase.
3. Instruction will include a discussion of suitable patterns, pattern transfer methods, the basic technique used in yarn painting, fixing mistakes, and finishing.

Target audience

These workshops will be of particular interest to crafters or fiber artists wishing to learn a new skill. Participants do not require any experience. The workshop is suitable for adolescents and adults. In order to provide individual attention to produce a suitable end product, registration in the workshop is limited to 8 participants.

Blake Mills is an emerging artist whose style has been described as adventurous.  Combining a variety of media he creates both two and three-dimensional works.  With no formal art education, his innate artistic abilities are inherited from both his maternal and paternal grandfathers, both of whom were successful painters.  Blake has honed his skills through continuous practice and experimentation as well as taking advantage of workshops and other educational opportunities,

Blake moved to York Harbour Newfoundland in 2013 from Ontario where he had many years of experience in the Hospitality industry.  On visits to Newfoundland, he fell in love with the colours, sights, and sounds of the island as well as the simpler, slower pace of life that it offered.

Blake developed an interest in working with sea glass after many pleasant hours spent on the local beaches.  Using nature as his inspiration, Blake has created a number of sea glass sculptures that have been well received by local buyers and visitors to the Bay of Islands area.  Blake has also started to incorporate his new love of traditional Newfoundland rug hooking into his creations adding yet another dimension to his work.  His latest passion is Yarn Painting using yarn and fabrics on a beeswax base following the traditional art practice.

Blake is a member of:
The League of Artists of Western Newfoundland (LAWN)
The Rotary Art Centre (RAC), Corner Brook
The Rug Hooking Guild Of Newfoundland and Labrador
The Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia 

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Calling of the Coast

Instructor: Toni Kearney
Location: TBD
Date: Sunday, Sept. 24 1-4pm
Cost: $30

Toni Kearney is a poet and social entrepreneur from Conche, Newfoundland. She founded Moratorium Tours and Retreats in 2020 after years of traveling the world and realizing the profound power nature and connection have on the soul. Moratorium’s purpose is to keep her community alive and thriving by hiring students and seniors in the area to share their knowledge with guests. Toni splits her time between Conche and traveling the world, with her second home being in Melbourne, Australia. She is a graduate of Dalhousie University’s Bachelor of Commerce program and the CEO of Antipodes, a content marketing and consulting firm based remotely. 

Description of Workshop:

Calling of the Coast is a three-part workshop series focused on connecting with nature to relieve stress and find calm. This immersion experience begins with a short walk in nature to calm the senses and ground. Then, through somatic movement and gentle yogic practices, participants will be encouraged to move through emotion and find stillness before a forest bathing experience. This sensory experience allows guests to bathe their senses in the Newfoundland forests to feel more connected to themselves and cultivate creativity through writing exercises.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

A  half day introductory rug hooking class where you will learn the necessary techniques to create your own hooked piece. All materials will be provided to complete the project. 

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

Linoleum and Monotype Printmaking Workshop

Instructor: Christeen Francis and St-Michael Printshop Crew
Location: Town Hall
Date: Thursday, Sept. 21, 1-5 pm
Cost: By donation

St. Michael's Printshop is an artist-run print studio in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Founded in 1974, it provides fine art printmaking facilities for established and emerging artists, including intaglio, lithography, and relief printing.

To book contact: (709) 243-2023 /2466 or email: grosmornefallfest@gmail.com

DEMONSTRATIONS