About Us

FibreWorks was established in 2006 as a privately-owned Studio & Gallery. Under the direction of Alexis Bach, it transitioned to become a volunteer-based not for profit society in 2021.

For 16 years FibreWorks called a unique collection of yurts based in beautiful Madeira Park home. As FibreWorks now moves into its new incarnation beyond the yurts, we are thankful to be able to continue to support the fibre arts by providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and participate in cultural activities, and to increase platforms for artists to share their work in educational, inspirational & celebratory platforms in 2024 and beyond.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our members and steadfast supporters on the coast and beyond, who help to ensure FibreWorks remains the magical, unique, inclusive, creatively vibrant & culturally relevant organization it is known for.

Our Board

Alexis Bach – President

“I have been a creative person my entire life, expressing myself through music in my younger days, and am currently enraptured with colour and textures. My love of working with shape, colour and the layering of textures was given form when I was introduced to fibre more than a decade ago. The rich sensory nature of fibre drew me in, enriched and challenged my creative process. I maintain a strong sense of purpose in my service to the broader community and have participated in many projects over the years contributing to the betterment of my fellows. I am committed to being a support and advocate for the makers in our community and beyond.”

Lorna Young – Treasurer

“After more than 30 years in the chemistry industry, retirement was a good choice. Currently I spend my time gardening, reading and volunteering in the lovely community of Pender Harbour. My main volunteer role is as a board member for the Pender Harbour and District Health Centre Auxiliary Society (more commonly known as “the Bargain Barn”). Custodian of the living space for two bossy cats. I have travelled extensively, and hope in the foreseeable future to be able to do so again as I really love getting to sample other cultures and societal norms.

I have been an appreciator of the arts for a long time, and especially admire fiber artists who do such painstaking work.”

Ann Harmer – Secretary

Ann has always been drawn to making things with her hands, but it wasn’t until after moving to the Sunshine Coast twenty years ago that she discovered fibre arts, specifically the spinning of fibre into lovely yarns that could then be turned into one-of-a-kind garments.

While exploring the possibilities of natural dyeing, she was drawn into the world of dyeing with mushrooms, which soon became a passion. She attended her first International Fungi & Fibre Symposium in Mendocino, California, in 2008 and hasn’t missed the event since, joining fellow mushroom dyers in Sweden, Spain, Estonia, Norway, and the United States. She spearheaded holding the 2016 Symposium in Pender Harbour, when 150 international participants gathered in that village for a week.

Two successive dry mushroom seasons resulted in few fungi to dye with, so Ann turned her creative attention to botanical printing: using local leaves and flowers to create indelible prints on fabric. At the same time, she resolved to turn away from retail clothing outlets and create her wardrobe only from items found in thrift shops. Thus began her latest artistic endeavour: seeking out garments with colours and textures that invite her to play, create, and transform.

Randi Gurholt-Seary – Member at Large

Art and outdoor adventure have been threaded throughout Randi Lisbeth Gurholt’s life journey.

She spent a year in Norway studying theatre followed by three years in the professional theatre program at Dawson College in Montreal. She worked as a professional window dresser for Montreal‘s Ogilvie department store on Saint Catherine and for Woodwards in Edmonton as well as performing in community theatre. Her career and love for outdoor living brought her to Vancouver where she worked in developing a children’s childcare program. Randi did a number of performances Puppeteering under Flexible Theatre. She came to Earls Cove in 2004 and recently made the Sunshine Coast and Madeira Park her permanent residence. She has been connected with the Fibre Arts gallery and studio since 2013 where she learned the art of Pine Needle Basketry under the tutelage of Hattie Olson.

Always loving the sensory experiences of art and nature, she began hand building in clay and incorporating her basketry skills into sculptures. She continues to focus her career as an artist through exploration using a variety of different art mediums.