Gaetanne Sylvester

medium
ceramics

location
Winnipeg MB

mcc member since
1992

how i learned my craft
I graduated BFA from University of Waterloo in 1990, and I have attended numerous workshops, too many to mention here.

my craft mentors or "heroes"
Ruth Duckworth, Ann Roberts, Jane Buyers, Robert Powning, Trudy Golley, Ruth Chambers, Grace Nickel, Alan Lacovetsky have all inspired me and I could add to the list and go on.....and on. All of these artists express themselves in unique and thought-provoking styles.

what i love about my medium
What I like most about clay is its malleability, and its ability to bring my ideas into a three dimensional presence.

something my craft practice has taught me
The biggest lesson I have learned as a ceramic artist is that just like life, 50% you plan, 50% happens and sometimes mistakes or accidents have the best outcome.

Helen Lyons

Medium

Clay, functional and non functional

Location
Winnipeg

MCC member since 2001

What I love about my craft
I love the versatility of my material. It allows me to sculpt people, generally monochromatic. It also frees me to play with colour in the form of glazes on functional work.

How I learned my craft
I learned my craft with the cliché 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.

My artistic influences
Lots of books and many talented, helpful people have influenced me along the way. To name three heroes or mentors, I would have to say Joe Fafard, seeing his work in 1973 and recognizing the potential of clay. Steve Repa taught me what an inspiration a teacher can be. My third mentor is Alvin Pauls. When I agreed to teach the ceramics classes in Thompson, having never fired a kiln, he was a major back up for me. I still fire questions at him.

Pat Findlay

medium
fibres and mixed media, box-making

location
Winnipeg

website
through the Eastern Manitoba Artists' Co-op
http://www.manitobaart.com/

MCC member
almost 3 years

I have been immersed in fibre related crafts all of my life. My "mentor" had to be my aunt, Lorraine Phernambucq, a well respected local teacher. She introduced me to The Embroiderers' Association of Canada, and together, we were part of the origins of the Manitoba Prairie Quilters. It was through these organizations that I have benefitted from classes with high- profile, internationally known teachers over the past 40 years.