The Valley Artisans’ Co-op, 33373 Hwy 17, Deep River, ON, is celebrating their 25th year. As a part of this celebration, members are providing demonstrations in their parking lot this Saturday, June 30, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Mary Lynn Benz, Boni Jaworski, and Hazel Herriot will kick off the first hour of demonstrations. Mary Lynn, president of the Co-op, is a glass fusion artist. Glass fusion work is a few thousands of years old, and intricate works have been documented since approximately 1500 B.C. - from functional items such as bowls, to beautiful jewelry and wall tiles. Glass blowing seems to have dwarfed the works of glass fusion artists for hundreds of years, but fusion work is now enjoying a “rebirth” of a sorts. Any type of glass can be fused, and today, there are many beautiful colours of specialty, fusion glass with good, predictable qualities. Mary Lynn works with glass, glass stringers, glass frit and glass powders. Possible designs and patterns are limited only by the imagination. When a design and colours are determined and cut, the work goes into a kiln similar to a potter’s kiln, and the work is fired to 1300 - 2500º F to melt the glass and fuse it together. The colours and designs are permanent. They also have softer lines that are delightfully smooth to the eye and the touch. Boni Jaworski, a co-op member since 2002, is a multi media artist who creates works on paper, fiber and jewelry, as well as creating amazing watercolours. Her works are in both private and public collections in Canada. Boni will be demonstrating watercolour techniques. Hazel Herriot works with spinning, rug hooking, and other fiber forms. For her, in spinning for end use, the tactile sensation, combined with the interplay of colour and line are vital to her work. Hazel draws upon organic imagery in creating her work, infusing environmental idioms into each piece. Hazel is one of the founding members of the Valley Artisans’ Co-op and is a graduate in Fine Arts from the University of Saskatchewan. She holds certificates in Traditional Rug Hooking and an O.H.S. Certificate of Excellence in Spinning. Hazel will be demonstrating spinning and traditional rug hooking techniques. From 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Boni will continue with watercolour demonstrations and Hazel with some Batik and felt making work. Laura Mayo, who joined the Valley Artisan’s Co-op in 1999, will join them. Laura works with paints and dyes on fabrics so that she can capture the two things she loves most in art, vibrant colours and nature. On hot, sunny days Laura can be found outside in her extensive gardens, capturing the beauty of botanicals in sun dying. Laura will be demonstrating sun dying techniques. From1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Alison Packer, Nancy Trottier, and Cheryl Brabrant will team up for demonstrations of pottery work, inscription carving, and calligraphy. Alison, a member of the Co-op since 2008, makes beautiful decorated mugs, plates, and a wide variety of pottery. Her work reflects beautiful colour and natural forms. Alison will be demonstrating various pottery techniques. Nancy Trottier, one of the newest members of the co-op will be demonstrating stone inscription carving, brush writing, and pen calligraphy. Visitors will have the opportunity to try their hand at all three! Cheryl Brabant began working in pottery in 2009. She works with a variety of clays and shapes to produce both large vessels and small plate forms. Her glazes reflect a variety of earth colours and textures. Cheryl will be demonstrating wheel-throwing techniques. The demonstrations will conclude from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Local wood carver Gerry Grantham will join Nancy and Cheryl in demonstrating. Gerry, an Associate Member of the Co-op, is an award-winning carver with over 100 ribbons for the excellence of his work. Gerry will be demonstrating small work and tools by carving small Wizard Heads to give out to visitors.