Meet Our CLAY STUDIO TEAM
Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador
With over 20 years’ experience working in the Arts and Crafts sector in many northern locations Rowena House has built a career on working with artists from all over Canada’s North. Born and raised in Labrador she is excited to be back in the province as the Executive Director for the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. She now works with craft’s people from all over the province both professional and emerging finding opportunities for them to grow their careers. She also dedicates time to forge relationships with craft organizations across the country to tackle collaborative projects, increase networking in the field, and advocate for craft and culture at the provincial, territorial and federal level. Rowena has worked in many aspects of the cultural industry across this great county including a dedicated buyer of Sculpture in Cape Dorset, NU, and then the Executive Director for the Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association. She continuously tries her best to assist those that want to build their career in the cultural sector. Rowena is the co-chair of the Cultural Committee for the extremely success Northern Lights event that takes place in Ottawa biannually.
Brazilian by birth, Bruno Vinhas is passionate about global craft culture which drove his will to work in a gallery environment. A degree in Tourism and Hospitality has provided Vinhas with the experience of living and working in multiple countries and being immersed in different cultures changed his perspective about art and craft. Graduate with honours through College of North Atlantic's Textiles: Craft & Apparel Design program in 2017. A queer--identified artist, Vinhas started his career in the arts through theatre in Brazil, where he worked as a director, set and costume designer, and teaching. Since leaving his home country he has been part of several different projects including but not limited to curatorial practices, visual arts with focus on textile and multimedia, theatre, film, and dance. He has been working as the Craft Council of Newfoundland’s Director of Events & Outreach since February 2023 previously holding the position of Gallery Director/Curator from August 2018 until January 2023, previously holding the position of Gallery Assistant Director for a year; his primary focus in a gallery environment regards accessibility and inclusion in public art spaces.
Shannon Reid has worked in the retail industry for over 35 years, with the majority of that time spent within the craft and gift sector. Originally from Nova Scotia, Shannon joined the staff of the Craft Council in 2006 as Shop Manager, and has successfully directed this key membership benefit for the past 17 years, identifying and delivering premier services for members leading to artistic and business success. Shannon draws from her education in Fashion Merchandising to provide merchandising assistance to craft shops throughout the province, both through on-site visits and in group seminar sessions. She provides guidance with retail pricing, packaging, promotion and career planning, supporting members as they develop their confidence and find their voice as professional craftspeople. Shannon coaches students in College of the North Atlantic's Textile and Apparel Design Program, meets regularly with emerging makers at the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios / Craft Business Incubator and offers advice to makers at all stages of their careers. In 2022, her role temporarily expanded to Retail & Special Events Manager, which included the direction of special events and programming around Come Home Year 2023 and the Craft Council of NL 50th Anniversary. Currently holding the position of Director of Sales, Shannon focuses on our Retail Shop Management, Retail Events & Opportunities, and the Craft Council of NL Standards of Quality
Earl has an extensive background in finance coming from a career with the Provincial Government and their finance department. Earl provides stable and sound financial management with the help of the executive director and accounts payable / receivable support staff.
Joanne is responsible for the administration and organization of the studio activities including course, workshop and community event scheduling, communications with instructors and volunteers, monthly financial reporting, annual budgeting, materials and supply orders, grant writing and partnering with other community-based organizations. Joanne is also the Chair of the Clay Studio Advisory Committee and a Clay Studio instructor.
Brad is a wealth of knowledge and is our studio technician with a responsibility for firing and maintaining our kilns, inventory of clay, studio layout, upkeep, cleanliness and safety, coordinating volunteer studio hosts, and keeping all studio users up to date on new additions to the studio. Brad also conducts the one-on-one coaching sessions, whether it be wheel throwing or hand-building. Brad is also a member of the Clay Studio Advisory Committee.
Florence is an instructor, volunteer and a Clay Studio Advisory Committee member offering her years of experience in ceramics to the betterment of the Clay Studio’s mandate and mission.
Christina is a volunteer studio host, a community events volunteer, an instructor, a birthday party host, and a member of the Clay Studio Advisory Committee.
Joanne is a volunteer studio host, a community events volunteer, an instructor a member of the Clay Studio Advisory Committee, and a regular member of the Clay Studio.
Anita is an instructor, community events volunteer, and a regular member of the clay studio.
Jane is a community events volunteer, an instructor, and a regular member of the clay studio.
Roxanne is a Clay Studio volunteer host, community events volunteer, an instructor, and a regular member of the Clay Studio.
Evelyn an instructor and a regular member of the Clay Studio.
Vicky is an instructor with the Clay Studio and is our resident expert on anything involving glaze and creating glazes from raw materials.
Joan Kane lives in Trinity where she operates her home-based knitting business Ewe Design. Has served on the Craft Council Board in various positions for a number of years as well as other local and provincial organizations. Joan is a proud Lion and when not volunteering can be found doing what she is most passionate about knitting.
Katie Parnham has been a long time member of the Craft Council, and has been on the Craft Council board and committees helping the association to grow the industry. She has a keen interest in developing emerging craft makers to become viable businesses and is part of the management committee for the Quidi Vidi Plantation, an incubator for emerging craft makers.
Deborah Newhook has a long history of working with not-for-profit community-based organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador. Currently, she is Chair of the Anna Templeton Centre and the Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios, as well as the Treasurer of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Christine LeGrow has been an active marketing member of the CCNL since the 1980's. During a few years of the past twenty, Christine has served on a number of committees and filled the role of treasurer and past treasurer on the executive of the board. In addition, she spent several years on the Board of the Anna Templeton Centre including serving as Chair during the planning and the expansion renovation of that historic building.
Nicole Travers is an L'nu artist and mother, living in the Bay of Islands on the West Coast.
Barry Buckle is an apparel designer and textile artist. Barry is an instructor with textiles and apparel design, College of the North Atlantic for the past 22 years.
Heather Angnatok is a board representative from Labrador who has a keen interest to learn about Newfoundland and Labrador’s crafting industry. Heather likes to work with raw materials such as seal skin where she makes Labrador Inuit traditional clothing such as Kamek (seal skin moccasins) and mitts. Heather also works with traditional plants such as Labrador Tea to make soap, cream, lip balm and tea-bags.
Urve Manuel is a craft producer that works primarily in glass and has been a member of the Craft Council for more than 15 years.
Born and raised in Goose Bay and now retired, Sandra makes clothing such as hats, mitts, mukluks, coats etc. Sandra has been involved with the Craft Council for a number of years and is proud to share her traditional knowledge of craft production through her Indigenous background.
As an Inuk artist, by sitting on a board that values the craftsmanship of our communities, Monika wishes to continue to help strengthen connections to cultural practices within Indigenous communities. Monika Rumbolt is the Labrador youth engagement officer with Ulnooweg and believes diversity is the key to success in the arts and crafts industry.
Amanda Will is co-owner of Boulder Books, an award-winning book publishing company based in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's. She has been a member of the NL Craft Council for over ten years. Currently, Amanda sits on the Atlantic Book Awards Society (ABAS) as the Newfoundland and Labrador member at large. ABAS is a registered non-profit organization promoting excellence in Atlantic Canadian writing and book publishing. She served as vice president of Persistence Theatre Company, a feminist theatre company, from 2017 to 2019, and oversaw the development of human resources policies. Amanda also has many years of experience working with provincial and federal levels of government.
Christina Dove is born and raised in St. John's NL, growing up in the east end. Christina has always been into all kinds of craft, but after learning pottery in 1994 she has been hooked ever since. She started at the Devon House clay studio making clay at first and traded time making to time practicing on the wheel. Christina has taught clay classes and teen camps, and ran open studio for many years.
Susan is a Textiles/Designer/Sewist/Regalia Maker. She comes from a long line of Indigenous artists and has grown up in the Newfoundland Arts/Crafts community. Although she does not hold a personal membership, and her membership is part of the Miawpukek First Nation, she is no stranger to the Craft Council and all they have to offer. Susan believes the majority of her strengths lie in building a stronger relationships between the Craft Council and various Indigenous crafters/communities within the province, ensuring they have both the knowledge of and access to the resources the Council has to offer, thus creating a richer more diverse craft community for all.
