Classes & Workshops

Heather Hietala (formerly Heather Allen-Swarttouw)

Heather Hietala's architectural rugs and art quilts have been exhibited internationally and published in Fiberarts, Surface Design Journal, American Craft Magazine, Fiberart's 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 United States, Canada, Japan, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore. She has published numerous articles and reviews on textiles, textile artists, creativity and journaling. Her 2009 valentine won First Place in Fiberart's Jacquard Card Valentine Competition. Heather is a studio artist in Asheville, NC.

» Artist's Web site: Heather Allen-Swarttouw

Betsy Archer

Betsy Archer is really excited to be back in Asheville after a six-year absence. She has worked in both photography and textiles for 10 years. Betsy started out as a photographer and then a little experimentation led her to the discovery of a passion for storytelling with fiber. Using embroidery and rug hooking, Betsy is able to bring the observer into a story of a person or object in context. She has exhibited her embroidery and photography widely, and will soon be published in Rug Hooking Magazine. Betsy was one of 11 artists to be featured in the Newtown Hooked Art Showcase in 2010 and is looking forward to showing more fiber art in Asheville.

» Artist's Web site: Besty Archer: Photography, Fiber Arts and Clothing

Richard Caro

Richard Caro has been making quilts and studying the relationship between quilt and maker for many years. His classes provide the quiltmaker the opportunity to delve into the meaning/making process and to discover his or her own personal style and vocabulary. Richard's quilts have been included in a number of quilting publications and are included in both public and private collections.

» Artist's blog: deus ex (sewing) machina

Margaret Couch Cogswell

Margaret Couch Cogswell has been making books for over 14 years. Although over the course of her career Margaret has journeyed from weaving to ceramics, fabric collage, and now books, and certain themes and materials have stayed the same. Cloth, thread, color and pattern have been constant connectors through the years. Margaret's conviction that our greatest rewards often come from simple, everyday objects and moments is a recurring theme. Additionally, communicating with people through the objects she makes continues to be the primary and sustaining focus of her work. Margaret received a BA from Rhodes College. She continued her education at Rhode Island School of Design, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and Penland School of Crafts where she was a Resident Artist 2008–2011.

» Artist's Web site: Margaret Couch Cogswell

Catharine Ellis

Catharine Ellis is a weaver and dyer and author of Woven Shibori. She has exhibited and taught workshops throughout the US and internationally for a number of years. Recently her work and research has been focused on natural dyes and colorants. She has studied natural dyeing in France and India with Michel Garcia and continues to develop new applications for natural dyes.

» Artist's Web site: Catharine Ellis Textiles

Amy Putansu

Amy Putansu is the fiber instructor in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College. A coastal Maine native and graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, she came to the mountains in 2008 to teach full time. Her background includes primarily weaving and the business of craft. As a full time studio artist from 1998 to 2005, her hand woven accessories and garments were exhibited nationally in wearable art galleries, boutiques, and fine craft shows. Currently Amy's work explores new weaving techniques and incorporating hand dyed yarns. Amy began teaching others at places like Penland and Peter's Valley about 10 years ago.

Bernie Rowell

Tied by an umbilical cord to her sewing machine, Bernie Rowell has been making art for more than 30 years. She often uses unlikely materials and techniques to produce her "painted quilts." Bernie's work has been featured in Quilt National, Quilt Visions and Fiberarts design books. She is a member of Southern Highland Craft Guild and has taught classes at Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School and The Mint Museum of Craft and Design. Bernie's large scale works are included in hospital, medical and corporate headquarters across America.

» Artist's Web site: Bernie Rowell

Peggie Wilcox

Peggie Wilcox has been making baskets for almost 30 years and teaching for conferences, guilds, galleries and art centers for nearly 20 of those years. She also sells her work through galleries and from her home studio in Lakemont, Georgia. When describing her work, Peggie says, "There is something elemental and almost magic about the whole process of creating structures from plants. The plant materials I use hold unending fascination and inspiration for me; they are renewable, sustainable, non-toxic, beautifully colored and many are fragrant."

Barbara Zaretsky

Barbara Zaretsky is a textile artist and the director of Cloth Fiber Workshop. Originally from the Chicago area, she studied textile design at Northern Illinois University and the Art Institute of Chicago, and art history at the University of Illinois. In 2001 she moved to Asheville, became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and continued her education at Penland School of Crafts.

Barbara has operated BZDesign, a textile design and manufacturing company, for over 20 years. In her line of home furnishings and wearable accessories she incorporates organic and sustainable materials.

» Artist's Web site: BZDesign