This summer, CCBC brought craft to life through a series of live artist demonstrations held in front of our shop on Granville Island. From July to August, five talented artists shared their creative process with the public, each showcasing their approach to contemporary craft.
Over the course of five Saturdays, visitors had the chance to watch, ask questions, and connect directly with the artists behind the work.
“It’s great to be able to interact with people and talk about my process. Even though embroidery is a slow game, children especially seem drawn to it.”
– Bettina Matzkuhn (artist)
July 12 – Sharon Reay (Ceramics)
Sharon walked through her ceramic process, even making some clay mushrooms with visitors!
July 19 – Bettina Matzkuhn (Textiles)
Bettina shared her intricate textile work, bringing threads, textures, and stories together in real time.
July 26 – Marian De Gier (Jewellery/Metal)
Marian showcased her jewellery-making process, highlighting the detail and precision behind making a ring.
August 2 – Michael Hamilton-Clark (Wood)
Michael introduced visitors to the craft of woodwork, giving away spinning tops made out of wood!
August 9 – Eleanor Hannan (Textiles)
Eleanor closed the series off by demonstrating how she makes her expressive textile pieces, engaging visitors in the possibilities of fabric.
“It was a nice sunny afternoon and I worked from 1pm to 4pm having fun making spinning tops which I gave away to children who stopped by to watch. It was interesting just how few people had actually seen a wood lathe in action, and I had some interesting conversations with various onlookers. All-in-all, it was a pleasant experience and gave me a welcome opportunity to demonstrate my craft”
– Michael Hamilton-Clark (artist)
Artists had the full freedom to decide what they wanted to share, from working on small pieces to walking visitors through finished works. This made every Saturday a new and exciting experience for both the artists and the public.
These summer demonstrations not only brought more visitors to the shop but also created opportunities for people to slow down, ask questions, and witness craft in action. Many visitors were blown away by the patience and skill it would take for artists to create their amazing pieces. Families, tourists, and community members enjoyed these afternoons of creativity, and we are grateful to our artists for sharing their skills and stories with us.
A Special Thank You
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sharon, Bettina, Marian, Michael, and Eleanor for generously volunteering their time and energy to making this summer demo series possible.
Their commitment to sharing their craft with the community embodies the spirit of CCBC, and we are lucky to have them in our community!
Looking Ahead
The success of this summer’s demonstrations reminds us of the value of connecting people directly with the craft-making process. We look forward to continuing this momentum with more opportunities to celebrate BC’s vibrant craft community, beginning with our Artist Workshops in October!
Stay tuned for upcoming events, and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss the next chance to experience craft in action!
