Workshop Instructors
Our class instructors have years of experience in gourd crafting. We at Northern Dipper are honoured
to be able to present so many different talents under one roof.
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JENNIFER HENRY wove her first basket in 1991. She has taken numerous courses at the Haliburton School of Art & has studied with both
Canadian and American basket makers. She uses pine needles, reed, willow, or whatever is available to weave with. As a basket maker, the
discovery of gourds as an art form opened the door to elaborate pine needle & reed rims. Jennifer has shown her art in Peterborough at Autumn Treasures, in Toronto at the Cabbagetown Fall Festival, & at the Basketry Network Show & Sale. She was a guest demonstration artist in Toronto at the One of a Kind Craft Show in December 2002. Jennifer is a member of the Basketry Network, the Canadian Gourd Society, the South Western Ontario Basketry Guild, and the American Gourd Society.
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VICKI BEARD’S love of gardening is reflective in the art that she creates in her studio in Guelph, Ont. Vicki discovered gourds a few years ago and creates intricate flowing patterns in beautiful lacework bowls and containers. Vicki is adventuresome in her art and will try to
incorporate natural materials wherever possible. She has taken various courses at the Haliburton School of Art but for the most part is self taught. During the spring, summer and fall Vicki, who is also a Master Gardener, will often be found out in her spectacular gardens. Vicki exhibits her work at various galleries and is a part of the Juried Studio Tour in Guelph.
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CAROLYN COOPER is one of the owners of Northern Dipper Farms. Originally a woodworker designing whimsical creations and reproduction furniture, she quickly feel in love with gourds. The love of growing gourds and creating with them quickly resulted in the woodworking being set aside.
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LINDA WITHERSPOON has been painting since she was able to hold a paint brush . She got her first set of oil paints at age 10 and began her formal training at the age of 17. Her teachers have included Mrs. Swan, a well known and respected Weston artist, and Robert Bateman. Linda's creativity and expertise at tole painting makes her a desirable teacher for the beginner to advanced artist. Linda has enjoyed teaching for the past 25 years and continues to help others reach their creative potential.
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SIOUX GEORGE became addicted to gourds in November, 2000 after taking a basic gourd class. Since then she has traveled far and wide to attend classes, buy gourds, sell gourds and give classes.
Her first project involved sewing a zipper into a gourd, and her latest joy is gourd purses. Her reputation for "thinking outside the box" is reinforced by this corner-less media.
She is currently a member of the California Gourd Society, the Calabash Connection patch, and the Santa Cruz Gourd and Basket patch.
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Katie got her start in Feng Shui when a friend lent her a book. One book led to dozens of books and she quickly became hooked. She sought out a teacher and found Master Joseph Yu, a world renowned Feng Shui Master and founder of the Feng Shui Research Center in Toronto. She continues her studies under the guidance of Master Yu and in 2006, Katie became a certified Xuan Kong Feng Shui Practitioner. She has established a successful business traveling across Ontario conducting Feng Shui audits and has recently added teaching to her resume.
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Annemarie White has spent years sharing her love of art by teaching others. Although retired now, she found it particularly rewarding to share by teaching art in retirement centers. After years of using differednt mediums to express herself it was only natural to fall in love and turn to the natural beauty of gourds. Her talents are reflective in her uniqe and original designs.
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