Vermont Crafts Council Board Members 2007-2008

President - Matthew Tell, Matthew Tell Pottery, Marlboro VT

Vice President - Carol Crawford, Carol Crawford Handweaver, Bakersfield VT

Treasurer - Jenny Hermenze, Huntington VT

Secretary - Sandra Lance, Sandra Lance Pottery, Ripton VT

Ellen Spring, Ellen Spring Painted Silk, Starksboro VT

Jim Fecteau, Huntington River Smithy, Huntington VT

Ruby Leslie, Hardwick, VT

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New Board Members 4/25/2007

Jenny Hermenze, Bridge Street Dyeworks, Huntington VT

I began getting seriously interested in dyeing fabric ten years ago, as a an

offshoot of making quilts. Once I saw my first piece of fabric turn a brilliant

color, I got hooked on dyeing and soon discovered that the Japanese were known

to be world class dyers. I became especially interested in katazome, or

stencil-dyeing, and went to California to study with John Marshall, American

katazome master. I have since sold my work at the Shelburne Craft School

Gallery, at Art on Main in Bristol, and at juried shows such as Craftproducers

and the Vermont Handcrafters Holiday Show at the Sheraton. Last year three of my

hand-dyed garments were shown at the SPA Gallery's show, "The Fine Art of

Craft."

In my past life, I was a restaurant cook, a teacher, and a librarian. As a

librarian, I worked for New England Culinary Institute for 16 years, building

the school's culinary book collection. I also have considerable experience on

various boards: when I was a librarian I was active in Vermont Library

Association and was Co-Chair of Vermont Library Conference for 2 years (this

involved planning a 2-day meeting of 500 people). Since quitting my last day job

in 2004, I have continued to serve on various boards. Currently I am an officer

on the Boards of both the Richmond Farmers' Market and the Richmond Area

Business Association. Although I love my artistic work, I enjoy working with

other people, too, and I find belonging to these organizations brings additional

fulfillment to my life. I now look forward to serving on the board of the

Vermont Crafts Council!

Ruby Leslie, Charuby Studios, Hardwick, VT

This is Ruby's artist statement. Ruby Charuby Weavings are the product of my connection to the environment and the ebb and flow of natural cycles. The fibers for each textile are chosen for their tactile and visual qualities - the "hand" of the textile is as important as the color and reflective properties of the yarn. I combine fibers of different weight to keep my textiles warm while being lightweight and soft, with a fluid drape. They are perfectly balanced for wear in a variety of settings.

The process of creating cloth is magical and functional. My textiles speak to the delight I experience transforming a rigid grid into a fluid fabric.