Ellen Aubrey — Vice-President
Ellen has been making jewellery since graduating from Vancouver Community College in 1992 and is very pleased to have Circle Craft as an excellent place to sell her work.
"I thought it was time to participate in a bigger way with an organization that promotes craft so well. I am intimately familiar with the multi-layered and ongoing challenges of making craft as a livelihood and I will bring that perspective and experience to the board."
Venessa Bentley — Committee Chair Scholarship
Venessa is an instructor, designer, and consultant in needlearts, fibrearts and textiles. She is a practicing artist and a part-time primary teacher. Venessa is a graduate of the Textile Arts Diploma Program at Capilano College, holds a Bachelor's Degree, a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Fine Arts Education, and a Professional Teaching Certificate from Simon Fraser University. Her classes are offered in several Lower mainland venues and she sells and exhibits her designs.
"I grew up knitting and stitiching, and have composed my life accordingly. At Circle Craft I found peers! Thank you Circle Craft for offering me this opportunity to share my experiences with you. I will work hard to be part of the important work that you do."
Claudia Hayward
— Committee Chair Membership
Claudia has been a member of Circle Craft since the late 1970's and has been a regular participant at craft shows throughout western Canada. She is a self taught production woodworker specializing in functional wooden items many of which utilize ceramic tiles. In the last few years she has discovered new challenges and a new direction in woodturning.
"I have been a member of Circle Craft for so many years that I felt it was time to give something back to the organization. I have seen Circle Craft grow from impoverished beginnings to today's success. I feel that my experience in the business of craft can be of some help in dealing with the ongoing challenges of this success."
George Knoll — President
George has been a member of the board for the past six years and has found the experience to be rewarding. Given the great difficulties in finding a suitable location for a second store, he would like to continue exploring the opportunities of the internet.
"I am basically a production woodworker. Although I have made some things many thousands of times I still get a kick out of the fact that people like my things well enough to actually pay for them. Also, it pays some bills. At the same time, there is little that is more exciting than making something new. I am familiar with the on-going demands for our shop space at Circle Craft between the production and the one-of-a-kind craftsman."
Jeremy Long
"I was a board member for 4 years, exiting in 2001 and I would like to serve again. Helen and I have operated a craft business, called Padraig, for 30 years. For the past 22 years it has been our sole income. We wholesale our slippers, hats, and clothing across Canada, into the States and throughout Great Britain. We also sell retail through out web site www.padraigcottage.com. We have been members of Circle Craft since 1978 and sell through the store and have exhibited at the Christmas Market. While Helen designs and manages production, my main activity is the marketing for our business. I market by attending 6-8 trade shows a year, making store visits, telemarketing, mailing and now emailing. In the past, I have also marketed for another Circle Craft member, Kootenay Forge along with a number of other Canadian artisans and artists. My marketing experience and focus on the business of craft is what I can best offer as a board member."
Alan Monk
Alan Monk is a native of Vancouver and has had a long-standing interest in the local arts community. Alan is a business lawyer with Davis LLP in Vancouver and holds a B.B.A. degree from Simon Fraser University, an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a law degree from the University of Alberta. Alan has been a valued member of the board of directors of Circle Craft since 2004, primarily providing his business and legal insights to the functioning of the business of the cooperative.
Caetllonn Seadjwyc
— Committee Chair Selections
Caetllonn has been creating innovative silver jewellery since 1994. Inspired by her surroundings, she incorporates patterns and rhythms found in nature and architecture into her collections. In addition to graduating from VCC's Jewellery Art & Design program, Caetllonn has attended advanced workshops at the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco.
"I've enjoyed a successful relationship with Circle Craft over the past 8 years and welcome the opportunity to further contribute to such a vital and vibrant community of fellow artisans."
Murat Senemoglu
"I was born in 1960 in Ankara, Turkey. I have a bachelor’s degree major in Archaeology - History of Art from Hacettepe University. I have been making silver jewelry for more than 15 years. Before coming to Canada I had my own gallery in Ankara, Turkey for designing and marketing of unique silver pieces. In my gallery I was also offering jewelry design instruction. At the same time, I was lecturing on the History of Jewelry and Jewelry Design at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture Department of Baskent University in Ankara, when I had the opportunity to fulfill a dream: to move to Canada. I have been here since 2005. I love Canada for its freedom and multiculturalism, I call it an open air museum of every kind of human race living in peace side by side."
Katherine Soucie — Committee Chair Gallery
Katherine is a Vancouver based clothing and textile designer who specializes in one of kind ready to wear apparel. Her current line, Sans Soucie (translated from French means ‘without a care’), focuses on producing garments that represent the individual.
"From an early age, I began creating outfits from vintage garments and fabrics. From deconstructing to reconstructing each garment, this introduced me into the world of fashion. I went on to study fashion design in London and Toronto, Ontario but soon became discouraged by the lack of fabrics and materials that were available. This frustration led me to leave design school and inspired me to start creating new fabrics. Upon graduation from Textile Arts, Capilano College, North Vancouver, I received two awards (North Vancouver Arts Council Award for outstanding achievement in a Visual Arts program and Circle Craft Co-operative Scholarship for creative and academic achievement)."
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