felt :: feutre canada :: Canadian Felt Symposium 2018 begins

The sun was out in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia yesterday as felt makers from all over Canada and the States arrived at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre for Canadian Felt Symposium (2018).

The conference centre is the perfect location for the week long event. The former naval base is beautifully located on the sea. It has a serene atmosphere and plenty of classroom space.

Organizers have been preparing for days in advance: there was gallery to create, art to unpack as well as spaces to be prepared for workshops.

felt :: feutre canada deeply appreciates the work of volunteers  Lois Belluk and Rhonda Lamb. Thank you.

At registration felt makers were greeted by Carol Secord, the former owner of Ottawa’s Wabi Sabi and felt :: feutre canada's media director, Lesley Buxton.

Each felt maker received a beautiful gift of roving, silks and pre-felt from sponsors DHG and Artgus.  These were used to make needle-felted name tags that could later be wet-felted. A station was set up near the centre’s bar so felt makers could enjoy a local beer or glass of Annapolis Valley wine and relax after their long journeys.

In the evening the vendors' market also got going. This market features fabulous fibre and supplies by: What’s Weft, Artgus, The Gentle Roller Company, Wile’s Woolies and Denise Oyelese/ CozyUp

This market place is open:

Tuesday, October 2 - 12:00-1:00pm, 4:00-8:00pm Wednesday, October 3 - 12:00-1:00pm, 4:00-8:00pm Thursday, October 4- 12:00-1:00pm, 4:00-6:00pm

The organizers have also arranged for a masseuse to visit the symposium in the later part of the week.

At dinner the symposium was formally opened by felt:: feutre president Fiona Duthie who introduced participants to their talented instructors: Elina Saari, Kristy Kun, Jennifer Tsuchida  Moy Mackay, Leiko Uchiyama,  Ellen Bakker, Marjolaine Arsenault and Catherine O’Leary.