Textile Techniques in Wire (April 2024)

Tuesday-Wednesday, April 16-17, 2024
10am-5pm
Jutila Center Fiber Studio
Instructor: Heather Hietala
Class fee: $200
Materials fee: $20 (payable by check or cash at workshop)
Registration opens: Monday, February 26
Registration closes: March 25 or when sold out

Students must have an up-to-date tetanus shot to participate in this workshop.

Call 906-370-3722 or email clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org for more information

This class will introduce wire as an artistic as well as a practical medium. You will learn how to work with wire and explore its linear qualities as well as creating three-dimensional forms. Using your hands, pliers, and cold connections you will discover the wonderful immediacy of wire working. Basic tinkering and fiber construction techniques, including coiling, stitching, and twining will be covered. Wire is a very versatile material and can be incorporated or combined with other materials. We will begin by making small studies and then explore larger forms time permitting. The workshop will cover the properties and qualities of different gauges of wire. I will supply the materials you will need and a set of pliers with built-in wire cutters. Feel free to bring any pliers and vice grips that you already have. These techniques demand some hand strength and coordination. This class is open to adult students only.

The $20 materials fee includes: an ergonomic pair of pliers, a variety of wire, handouts, pumice soap, masking tape, sharpies, rags. There will also be vice grips and other tools available for use during workshop.

Students must bring:

journal for note taking and favorite pen

wear work cloths or an apron

safety glasses if you do not wear glasses

6″ and/or 8″ vice grips if you have them

any other wire tools you already have

optional – odd bits of wire that you have collected and odds and ends of things to experiment with, time permitting

Heather Allen Hietala is a studio artist is Asheville, NC. Heather’s architectural wall textiles have been exhibited internationally and published in Fiberarts Magazine, Surface Design Journal, American Craft Magazine, Fiberart Design Book 5,6 & 7 and International Textile Design among others. Her work has been exhibited internationally and she has taught and lectured throughout the US, Canada, Japan, Nepal and Thailand. She has published numerous articles on textiles, textile artist and creative journaling and wrote Weaving Contemporary Rag Rugs. Her work is numerous public and private collections including the Racine Art Museum, Asheville Art Museum, and Greg Museum of art and Design among others. Momentum Gallery, Asheville, NC and Oeno Gallery, Bloomfield, Ontario represents her work.