Classes & Workshops

Heather Allen-Swarttouw

Heather Allen-Swarttouw is a studio artist, writer and educator living in Asheville. She received her BFA in painting and sculpture from the University of New Hampshire and her MFA in textiles from the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth. She has exhibited and taught throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore.

Heather has published numerous articles and reviews on textiles artists, creativity and journaling. Creating a personal reference library of creative journals has given her insights and propelled her in her current creative explorations.

» Artist's Web site: "Architectural Textiles" (Southern Highland Craft Guild Member Page)

Norma Bradley

Norma is a multi-media quilt artist and Director of Art Education for HandMade In America. She creates fiber quilts and quilt-inspired gardens and has been a visiting and teaching artist for over 25 years, integrating the “art quilt” into school curriculum. Her goal is “always to inspire personal creativity while keeping the spirit of the quilt.” Norma is the creator of the internationally recognized Earth Quilt Project featured on HGTV's “Simply Quilts.” Her vibrant fiber quilts, informed by a background in painting, sculpture and art history, have been exhibited in galleries and museums and are in personal collections.

» Artist's Web site: Norma Bradley Earth Quilts

Margaret Couch Cogswell

Margaret Couch Cogswell is currently a Resident Artist at Penland School of Crafts. She creates mixed-media artist books while also indulging her passion for making and sending mailable art.

After receiving her BA from Rhodes College in 1981, Margaret has continued her education at Rhode Island School of Design, Penland School of Crafts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and Book Works.

Catharine Ellis

Catharine Ellis taught the Professional Craft Fiber Program at Haywood Community College for 30 years and is now devoted to studio work, research, and specialized teaching. Her love of woven cloth and structure led her to develop the process of woven shibori, a true marriage of weaving and surface design.

Catharine is the author of Woven Shibori (Interweave Press, 2005) and her work has been featured in Fiberarts magazine and Surface Design Journal. Catharine has exhibited and taught classes throughout the United States, Canada, Korea, Chile, Japan, Holland, France, and most recently, Australia.

» Artist's Web site: Catharine Ellis Textiles

Suzanne Gernandt

Suzanne Gernandt, a studio artist, produces work in weaving, surface design and art quilting. She has taught workshops in many places including Penland School of Crafts. Suzanne is owner of Textures—for the Finely Crafted Home, a fine art and craft gallery in Waynesville, NC. She is a founding member of L.I.N.T.: Ladies in New Textiles and is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, Surface Design Association and American Craft Council.

Trish Marshall

Trish Marshall discovered her love of textiles while learning surface design techniques in the fashion program at Chamberlayne Jr. College in Boston. She has a passion for making, and remaking things, and working intuitively. Trish encourages students to take risks and play. In 2004 she opened her shop, Rags Reborn Eco Chic Boutique, which celebrated creative reuse and handmade lifestyle, and in 2008 she started the Asheville chapter of the Church of Craft with permission of its founder, Callie Janoff. The very first Asheville meetings (called "Craft-on's") were held in the studio of Cloth Fiber Workshop.  

» Artist's Web site: Rags Reborn Eco Chic Boutique

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.

Susan Stowell

Susan Stowell has been sewing for 30 years. Her experience includes sewing custom, special occasion wear, designer samples, theatrical costumes and historical reproductions.

Jen Swearington

Jen Swearington’s mixed media quilts have been featured in Surface Design Journal, Fiberarts Design Book 7, three Quilt National exhibitions, and graced the cover of Fiberarts magazine. Her Asheville-based textile studio produces Jennythreads, her line of handmade, hand-dyed silk and bamboo clothing and accessories, which are carried by galleries and boutiques nationwide. Jen has taught as adjunct professor at UNCA, The Savannah College of Art and Design, and Haywood Community College as well as various workshops.

» Artist's Web site: Jennythreads

Barbara Zaretsky

Barbara Zaretsky is a fiber 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