Jan. 31, 2026 – Fabric Collage Workshop - HOPE
Jan. 31, 2026 – Fabric Collage Workshop - HOPE
This workshop will be the first in the series and will be based on the theme of HOPE with facilitators Nelusha McDonald and Brenda Riley.
Tap into the whimsy of fabric collage in this day long creative play date where you will design your own textile art scroll as it represents your vision of HOPE. We will play with fabric, lace, fanciful charms, buttons and other such notions in an inspiring environment with your creative muse. You will be shown you how to bend the rules of tradition art as we compose a textile story with fabric bits, lace cuts, loose threads, raw edges, and unexpected findings. We will be hand stitching throughout the project but if you have a sewing machine you wish to use in making your collage, feel free to bring it along. So, gather your creative spirit and love for fabric and stitch and prepare to be inspired as we embrace HOPE through art.
Cost of the workshop: $125. This fee includes a $25 supply kit of fabrics and knickknacks.
Basic hand sewing skills will be helpful to get the most out of the workshop. Appropriate for 12+ with some sewing experience.
Participants are only asked to bring with them a Basic Sewing Kit (Fabric scissors, Pins, Hand sewing/embroidery needles, Sewing thread in neutral colour(cream/grey) and a Seam ripper.) A Sewing machine is optional.
The workshop will be held at St. Philip-by-the Sea Anglican Church in Lantzville. The workshop will be from 9:30 am to 3:30. A small portion of the workshop will include a short meditation, some poetry and music. Snacks and refreshments will be provided but you are asked to bring a bagged lunch.
If you have any questions please contact Jenny – ocahinfo@gmail.com or 250-937-1135
We are only allowing 20 participants so register early!
Workshop Facilitators
Brenda Riley
Brenda Riley is a retired United Church clergy, leader of WildChurch Oceanside, an avid artist, lover and supporter of nature. Brenda has been drawing and painting since childhood and loves to paint outdoors with a weekly Plein Air group. She led a very successful fabric painting banner workshop as part of a Canadian travelling story telling project through art. She believes, “all forms of art, imagination and creativity open our souls to the presence of awe, wonder, Sacred mystery and the beauty present in all of nature.”
Nelusha McDonald
Nelusha is a textile collage artist and art doll designer. She began her professional life specializing as an employment and labour lawyer until the call of the artist within became too intense to continue as a side hustle. Her artwork has been featured several times in Stampington & Co.'s gorgeous print magazines (Art Quilting Studio Magazine, Green Craft, Art Journaling and Somerset Studio) and has been showcased on StitchesbyJulia, a popular YouTube host and textile artist, who dedicated an entire playlist to her collaged snippet rolls. Some of her creations can be found on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kitschychic
Nelusha has been teaching and inspiring the creative spirits of others for over 15 years. She also designs textile collages for other artists to use in their own works. The authenticity of her work finds indulgence amongst loose threads, unconventional colour combinations, raw edges and abstraction. These creative liberties are how her artistic spirit finds expression and reigns free.