Marlene Joudry

OCTOBER 1, 2022, 10 am - 5 pm
(1 hour lunch - food not included)

OCTOBER 2, 2022, 10am - 1pm

For beginners to quillwork

Course Fee: $220
Materials Fee: $ 35 (non-refundable, payable to instructor on 1st day of class)
Class Capacity: 13

About the Instructor

Marlene Joudry is a Mi’kmaw First Nation Artisan, Instructor, and Facilitator, in Nova Scotia. She was educated in the Art of Porcupine Quill Basket making from her traditional Elders.

She was the Mi’kmaw First Nation Facilitator for the Back to Basics Women in Business Training Program across Nova Scotia. Marlene was also nominated for the Woman of the Year award in the Annual Atlantic Aboriginal Entrepreneur Awards Show in 2007.

Over the past several years Marlene has been a Support for students, Facilitated & chaperoned many Youth Programs, in the Schools and Universities, across Nova Scotia as well as for Adult Learners and Women’s groups. Marlene also facilitated Porcupine quill workshops and presented at many conferences and Festivals across Canada for over 30 years.

Please note that we will require masks in order to protect a Covid-vulnerable person who will be present at the workshop. Exemptions will be made for those with a medical note stating that they cannot wear a mask.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Learn how to make a contemporary Porcupine quill choker with porcupine quills, beads and leather in this two-day course with Marlene Joudry.

Participants will learn how to sort their quills cut them and sew them on with beads onto the leather. Each participant will design their own choker.

The tools used are scissors, needles, thread, leather strips, glass beads, and natural porcupine quills that Marlene has gathered and treated from here in Nova Scotia. The instructor will provide individual kits for each participant.

MORE ABOUT QUILLWORK

Mi’kmaq quillwork in its traditional and contemporary forms has a rich and complex history, with beautiful geometric patterns and designs. Contemporary quillwork combines traditional with modern materials, such as glass or plastic beads and leather.

By the mid 1700’s, the designs became an important commodity mainly in the European souvenir market. The naturally black and white quills were hand-collected by the artist, cleaned, dyed with homemade or commercial colours, and then arranged in holes in birch bark. The artist then sewed the quills into varying patterns and forms with their European clientele in mind. Each handmade item is unique, and the practice is alive today in artists like Marlene Joudry and the traditional Elders who educated her.

Marlene Joudry is a quillwork artist with decades of experience and expertise in her field. In addition to chokers, Joudry makes earrings, baskets, medicine pouches, and more.

LOCATION

The location of this course is at the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark - Parrsboro office. At noon on the first day, there will be an hour for participants to have lunch in town.

BURSARY

Update 2022/09/13: the bursary slot has been filled. Thank you for your interest!

Thanks to a donation from community member Liz Yorke, 1 person will have the opportunity to join with free registration in this course. The bursary will be offered to a Mi’kmaw artist or learner who could not otherwise participate due to financial barriers. To claim your spot, please contact director@parrsborocreative.com or (902) 728 2007 by Friday Sept 23, 2022. It should be noted that the cost of materials ($35) and accomodation would be the participant’s responsibility.

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Cancellation Policy

If for any reason the participant wishes to cancel before two weeks prior to the commencement of the course, the full fee minus the materials fee and a 10% service fee will be refunded. Please note that there will be no refunds if the participant cancels within two weeks of the commencement of the course.

COVID- 19 Notice

We will be following the latest guidelines for social distancing and gathering restrictions as recommended by the province of Nova Scotia. Should this workshop be cancelled due to sudden changes in guidelines, we will refund participants the full amount of the workshop - guaranteed! Thanks for supporting local, cultural events at Parrsboro Creative!