Textiles

Your signature tactile and visual language will bloom to its fullest potential under the guidance of our artist experts in the School of the Arts Textiles Program.

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Textiles

  • Length of Study 10 Months
  • Accreditation Certificate
  • Campus Victoria Street Campus

Fibre objects and textiles are an integral and component of our lives and contemporary aesthetic. To create with beauty and style is to infuse our environment with adored art with function.

In our School of the Arts Textiles Program, develop skills and a high level of proficiency within a diverse range of techniques under the guidance of true experts in their field. Engage in many areas of study including weaving, felting, dyeing, screen printing and pattern drafting to have a fantastic grasp of this tactile field.

The School of the Arts Textile Program is designed to cultivate an environment of creative problem solving and thinking in conjunction with hands-on studio work supporting students in becoming efficient creative makers in their chosen field of textiles.

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You will be immersed in a vibrant and rewarding creative experience at the School of the Arts Victoria Street Campus where students are also pursuing the crafts: Ceramics, Jewelry and Sculptural Metal.

Discover more about our Victoria Street Campus in beautiful downtown Nelson, BC. Nelson and its surrounding areas are a vital West Kootenay cultural hub. Artists are attracted to the natural beauty, the laid-back attitude and an atmosphere of acceptance that inspires creativity.

Matt & Aimie

Student Recruitment Team

Inquiries?

Do you have general questions about School of the Arts and Craft programming, please fill out our Find Out More form below.

Recruitment Specialists Aimie Chernoff and Matt Martin are also amazing ambassadors ready to share all they know with you. Contact them at hello@selkirk.ca.

Find Out More
Admission Requirements
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Launch Gallery

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general entrance requirements for admission to Selkirk College, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Submit a questionnaire
  • Submit a portfolio of work
  • Participate in an interview
  • Learn more about the admission process.

Courses Include

  • Design for Production
  • Dye Technology
  • Fabric Construction and Design
  • Loom Weaving
  • Pattern Drafting and Clothing Design
  • Professional Practices

  • I appreciated the hands-on learning experience. The small class size allowed for greater access to instructors where skills could be tailored to the individual needs of students.

    Dani Ortman

    Textiles, 2009Self-employed handweaver and instructor

  • Selkirk College gave me a can-do attitude towards making a living as an artist while remaining honest about the joys and stresses of being a creator. I developed friendships with my instructors and they have been mentors to me long past graduation.

    Teyana Neufeld

    Textiles, 2012Weaver and Coordinator for the Morija Arts Centre in Losotho, South Africa
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Instructors

Marilyn Lee

Instructor

Marilyn Lee

Instructor

“Arts education is about creative problem solving that can applied in all facets of life.”

Lee studied at the University of Calgary and the Alberta College of Art and Design, where she received her BFA, majoring in textiles.

Currently, Lee maintains a full-time studio practice and markets her production line of MML Textiles at major craft fairs and wholesale shows across the country. She has also shown herwork in numerous solo and group exhibitions.

In 2006, Lee was one of five people to receive a British Columbia Achievement Award (BCAA) for outstanding applied art and design for her work in textiles.

Lee’s work has been featured in:

  • Blueprint Magazine
  • Canadian House and Home
  • Canadian Living
  • Elemente Magazine
  • Nelson Daily News
  • Niche Magazine
  • Style at Home
  • The Globe and Mail
  • Vancouver Sun

“I am always eager to explore what is new in the field, wanting to bring new ideas and inspiration to the students.”

“Small classroom sizes allow me to mentor the students based more on individual needs and interests within the programs parameters.”

Coby van der Gaast

Instructor

Coby van der Gaast

Instructor

Beginning her textile studies at Cherryville and at Handcraft House Textile School in North Vancouver in 1974, Coby has continued her studies and research over the years with celebrated weavers such as Suzanna Lewis, Robert Loewe and Madelyn van der Hoogt. In 1989, she collaborated in the design and production of 50 official sweaters for the BC Winter Games, and in 1990 received a Knitting Guild of America Design award.

Coby has over 27 years of textile practice in weaving, dyeing, knitting and basket-making, as well as 10 years of teaching experience. Travelling extensively, she have been influenced and enriched by cultural textiles and have taught fibre techniques in Teotitlan, Mexico.

Frequently Asked Questions About Textiles

What is the application process like?

The application process involves meeting admission requirements, applying online and then submitting a questionnaire and portfolio. We also require an interview. Find complete instruction here…

Why do I have to interview for Craft Programs?

The interview allows us to discuss the program. We will be asking you questions but our instructors will also give you an overview of the program and scheduling. This is a chance for you to ask questions as well. We want to ensure the best possible match to ensure student success. The interview takes about a half hour and we will be conducting it in person at the Victoria Street Campus or by phone. We are currently not set up for Skype.

How many images can I send in the online portfolio submission form?

The maximum images allowed on the online form is eight. Please send a separate link if you would like to send more than eight images.

Do I have to have experience in the Craft studio I want to apply to?

No. Many of our students have completed a workshop or continuing education course in the studio they are interested in, but it is not a requirement.

Do I have to provide my own tools and equipment?

Yes, each studio has its own supply list that’s provided upon admission. Some tools and supplies will be the student’s responsibility. Project materials can be purchased through KSA. Equipment such as kilns, forges, wheels, drill press, etc. is provided.