CV: Catherine M. Thomson

Shetland Lace making is the best known Heritage craft of Scotland, being taught by oral instruction. I learned to knit in Scotland by oral instruction at an early age. Later in life, having emigrated to Canada, I began designing my own Shetland Lace creations, using the traditional motifs and patterns and continuing to use very fine natural yarns. Later, as exciting new synthetic and technology-based materials came available, I included designs based on these products in my repertoire.

Creation of large lace pieces is an intricate and lengthy process, so my focus was in creation of pieces for submission to competitions and exhibitions, especially in galleries and museums. To guide and encourage others through the processes of lace design and creation, I have made videos available, given presentations at conferences and other venues, given interviews on the topic, and authored a book on lace knitting (I was invited to write the book by a publisher).

International Events

2021 Mesure/Démesure: International Mini-Textile Competition: Angers Museums, France: July 3, 2021, to May 22, 2022. Exhibitor.

2014-15 Lacemakers Exhibition, Orleans Gallery, London, England. Oct 2014-Jan 2015. Exhibior.

2011-13 Powerhouse Museum (Sydney, Australia) - “Love Lace” 30 July 2011 to June 2013. One of 134 artists from 20 countries. My shawl was described as “Staggeringly complex” by John McDonald, Art Critic for the Sydney Morning Herald.

2009 One of 208 Canadian fine craft artists from all provinces and territories selected to be part of the Unity and Diversity exhibit in the Canadian guest pavilion at the 2009 Cheongju International Craft Biennale. Seoul, Korea.

2007 Lace Guild (England) Tri-annual lace competition and exhibition. Medal of Excellence.

2007 World of Threads Festival: Common Thread Exhibition (Sheridan Institute, Ontario). First prize, Traditional Design.

2007 “Crafty Communications” p162-168 In: Proceedings of the "New Craft - Future Voices". International Conference and Exhibition, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee, Scotland, 04-06 July, 2007.

2006 Australia “Blurring the Boundaries: Fashion Design Innovation in Contemporary Knitting”. New approach to shawl design.

2005 “Let's Celebrate”: La Encajera - Lace Contest, La Senyera, Valencia, Spain: Certificate.

2004 North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association conference. Invited presenter.

2003 A 3-month solo exhibition of ten of my designs in Drumlanrig's Tower in Hawick, Scotland, under the auspices of the Scottish Borders Council Museums & Galleries.

2002 Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh, Scotland: Very highly commended.

2001 Australian Cotton Fibre Expo, “Taking cotton into the new Millennium”, NSW, Australia. Exibitor.

2000 Knitting Guild of America International Millennium Design contest: 1st place, Lace section.

1999 Knitting Guild of America International design contest: 1st place, Lace section.

1999 Knitting Guild of America International design contest: 1st place, Lace Precision and Endurance section.

National Events

2015 Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design: Patterns of Space Exhibition. April 9 - May 24 2015. Featured Exhibitor.

Regional Events

2020 “personal and material geographies”. Craft Council of British Columbia - an exhibition of contemporary craft in partnership with the Italian Cultural Centre, Vancouver BC, September-December 2020. I was one of 23 BC artists featured, including 7 invited First Nations Artists.

2018 Alberta Craft Council Exhibition. “Process; Thinking Through”. Edmonton January-April 2018; Calgary June-August 2018. Participating Artist.

2015 Alberta Craft Council “The language of craft.” April 4 – July 4, 2015. Exhibitor.

2015 Medalta: International Tool Show, September-November 2015. Exhibitor.

2014 Manitoba Crafts Museum and Library “Feeding the Soul: the Value of Craft in Modern Society” May-Sept 2014. Exhibitor.

2013 Alberta Craft Council: Golden Edge Exhibition. January 12 - March 30. Exhibitor.

2010 Alberta Craft Council (Edmonton) 30th Anniversary” “For the love of Craft” - special exhibition exploring the love of making fine craft. July 10-September 25 2010. Shetland Lace shawl accepted for exhibition.

2008 Craft Council of Alberta “Focus on Fibre” exhibition. The shawl was part of display at the Edmonton Art Gallery and the Craft Council of Alberta Gallery. Designer award: First Prize and Best of category.

2004 Edmonton Art Gallery and the Craft Council of Alberta Gallery. “Focus on Fibre”. Designer award: First Prize.

2003 December 6th and 7th, my knitting studio was part of my municipality's (Oak Bay) Artists’ Studio Tour.

2001 Gibsons Landing Fiber Festival, BC, Canada: Best of show.

2001 BC Fabric and Fibre Artists 30th anniversary exhibition, “Threads of life, the culture of cloth”: a historical and contemporary exhibition. Round House, Vancouver, Canada. Exhibitor.

Awards

2008 Craft Council of Alberta “Focus on Fibre” exhibition. Designer award: First Prize and Best of category.

2007 Lace Guild (England) Tri-annual lace competition and exhibition. Medal of Excellence.

2007 World of Threads Festival: Common Thread Exhibition (Sheridan Institute, Ontario). First prize, Traditional Design.

2005 “Let's Celebrate”: La Encajera - Lace Contest, La Senyera, Valencia, Spain: Certificate.

2004 Edmonton Art Gallery and the Craft Council of Alberta Gallery. “Focus on Fibre”. Designer award: First Prize.

2004 North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association conference, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Exhibition – Second place.

2002 Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh, Scotland: Very highly commended.

2001 Gibsons Landing Fiber Festival, BC, Canada: Best of show.

2000 Knitting Guild of America International Millennium Design contest: 1st place, Lace section.

1999 Knitting Guild of America International design contest: 1st place, Lace section.

1999 Knitting Guild of America International design contest: 1st place, Lace Precision and Endurance section.

Knowledge Transfer

Web site: http://catherinethomsondesigns.com/

- link to video: Designing Lace Shawls

- link to video: interview for “personal and material geographies” exhibit

- link to video: “Technology-based yarns in fine lace knitting” from the Craft Council of BC, "Textile Intersections - Sustainability and Technology Conference"

Web site: https://craftcouncilbc.ca/member/catherine-thomson/

2022 Craft Alliance: Fine Craft Career Trajectory Series of interviews (I was was of the 11 interviewed).

2020 “personal and material geographies” interview recorded and posted on the Craft Council of British Columbia website

2015 “Textile Intersections - Sustainability and Technology Conference”, Vancouver. Sponsored by The Vancouver Guild of Fibre Art, The Greater Vancouver Weavers' and Spinners' Guild , and the Craft Council of British Columbia. Presentation on “Technology based yarns in fine lace knitting” September 2015. Video available on line.

2011 Book: “The Lace Knitting Palette” by Catherine M. Thomson. Leisure Arts.

2004 North American Shetland Sheepbreeders Association conference, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology. Invited 1-hour presentation to conference attendees; a 1-day workshop on lace design using yarn from North American colored Shetland sheep; a 2-hour informal Q&A get together.