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)

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

Trish Marshall

Trish Marshall discovered her love of fabric while learning surface design techniques in one of her classes in the fashion program at Chamberlayne Jr. College in Boston. Though she didn’t finish the program, her passion for making, and remaking things, and working with fabric creatively and intuitively has remained. In 2004 she opened her shop Rags Reborn Eco Chic Boutique, which celebrates creative reuse in art, fashion, and life-style. She delights in thinking outside the box and inspires students to do the same.

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

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