Sculptural Felting and Wearable Art with Marjolein
Dive into a one-of-a-kind immersive experience in the world of wool with internationally renowned fiber artist and felt-maker, Marjolein. Learn to transform soft wool fibers into sculptural or wearable creations in her majestic studio setting surrounded by dense forests and lakes in Québec.
- Lunch, Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1125
- Additional guest(s) (max 3)
- USD $540
Accommodation
- One Guest
- USD $375
- Additional guest(s)
- USD $285
Meet the Artist
Marjolein is a multidisciplinary artist known for her rhythmic alien looking wool forms. Her journey with felting stemmed from her wish to make toys for her kids. Soon she started making ornaments, accessories and clothing and then went on to create costumes for Cirque du Soleil for several years, experimenting with felting techniques. This stretched her art to new horizons, and she moved back towards visual arts, creating large felted sculptures and wall hangings.
Marjolein’s work is very rhythmic and she creates different shapes and intriguing textures with wool. She finds the element of surprise and transformation very inspiring, and enjoys witnessing the metamorphosis of the soft wool fibers into solid three dimensional creations. Wool has a strong character of its own which triggers and pushes her towards new discoveries. She endlessly explores how to use color with wool, and has extensively experimented with felting and developed her own sculpting techniques. Marjolein has shown her pieces in many international exhibitions, and made several art movies with her large-scale felted sculptures.
Marjolein believes felting is a very inviting and forgiving art form. She looks forward to welcoming people into her unique, self-created world, sharing her space, and inviting others to connect with this wonderful and forgiving medium. Felting is easy to learn but endless in possibilities. Marjolein believes it is an invitation to inspire others to find an opening to their own unique creativity and experience the joy of making things with their hands.
Marjolein’s work is very rhythmic and she creates different shapes and intriguing textures with wool. She finds the element of surprise and transformation very inspiring, and enjoys witnessing the metamorphosis of the soft wool fibers into solid three dimensional creations. Wool has a strong character of its own which triggers and pushes her towards new discoveries. She endlessly explores how to use color with wool, and has extensively experimented with felting and developed her own sculpting techniques. Marjolein has shown her pieces in many international exhibitions, and made several art movies with her large-scale felted sculptures.
Marjolein believes felting is a very inviting and forgiving art form. She looks forward to welcoming people into her unique, self-created world, sharing her space, and inviting others to connect with this wonderful and forgiving medium. Felting is easy to learn but endless in possibilities. Marjolein believes it is an invitation to inspire others to find an opening to their own unique creativity and experience the joy of making things with their hands.
VAWAA Includes:
- Create three dimensional sculptures, or wearable art.
- Deepen the consciousness about experiences learned from sculpting with felt and other fibers.
- Focus on color, design and conceptions of an artwork.
- Explore techniques for sculptural form ideas through : folding and unfolding, building relief, clamping or binding, and more.
- Play with the processes of shortening, thickening, tightening and shrinking, and other transformations of felted surfaces.
- Wool dyeing processes (optional).
- Visit at local contemporary art museum in St-Jérôme.
- Walks through the forest.
- Possibilities for early morning meditation and yoga.
- Biking, hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing, country skiing, and alpine skiing in the surrounding areas (seasonal availability).
Stay at Marjolein's
Marjolein's studio is a free standing building, with a colorful and spacious workspace. The second floor offers a cozy loft that includes a bedroom with two beds, a private bathroom with a shower, and WiFi. Rebuilt on a former dairy farm property, the main house, studio and wood workshop were completely reconstructed. The studio is surrounded by meadows, a deep forest and small lakes on a 120 acres property. The environment is peaceful and very quiet, accessible all year. All meals, snacks and drinks are included with your stay.
Explore Gore, Québec
Marjolein's natural habitat deeply influences and inspires her art. Her studio is a very quiet, peaceful and inviting place to create and relax. The presence of nature is very impressive and the quality of silence unique.
There are several walking paths on the property for solitary walks. Close by, one can enjoy several outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, canoeing etc. During the winter season, there are numerous possibilities: snowshoeing on the property land, country skiing, alpine skiing and other winter activities in the surrounding area.
Established in 1840 by Irish immigrants, Gore is a small village surrounded by dense forests and lakes, about an hour and a half from Montréal, Québec. The water bodies, forests, wetlands and thriving natural environment makes Gore a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the world. The change in seasons is dramatic in this part of Canada. A sudden and lush spring comes late May and is followed by a warm, humid summer. Autumn is spectacular for its very intense colorful canopies, followed by early fresh temperatures. Winters are cold but magically snow covered.
There are several walking paths on the property for solitary walks. Close by, one can enjoy several outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, canoeing etc. During the winter season, there are numerous possibilities: snowshoeing on the property land, country skiing, alpine skiing and other winter activities in the surrounding area.
Established in 1840 by Irish immigrants, Gore is a small village surrounded by dense forests and lakes, about an hour and a half from Montréal, Québec. The water bodies, forests, wetlands and thriving natural environment makes Gore a wonderful place to enjoy the natural beauty of this part of the world. The change in seasons is dramatic in this part of Canada. A sudden and lush spring comes late May and is followed by a warm, humid summer. Autumn is spectacular for its very intense colorful canopies, followed by early fresh temperatures. Winters are cold but magically snow covered.
Additional Details
The best time to visit Québec is between mid-July to end of October. However, if you want a winter experience, mid-January to end of March is ideal.
This VAWAA can be extended for up to 7 days.
This session is not suitable for children younger than 14yrs and cannot be adapted for people in wheelchairs as felting is mostly done standing up. There are no animals in the studio and loft.
Marjolein speaks Dutch, English, French and some German.
This VAWAA can be extended for up to 7 days.
This session is not suitable for children younger than 14yrs and cannot be adapted for people in wheelchairs as felting is mostly done standing up. There are no animals in the studio and loft.
Marjolein speaks Dutch, English, French and some German.
Guest Reviews
Susan S., Canada
Marjolein is a wonderful teacher - I learned so much! My ideas and experience with felting have certainly changed for the better. Marjolein has so much experience that she's passionate about sharing. She's very generous with her materials, and encourages experimenting. She understands how different materials interact and her instructions and explanations are very clear and easy to understand. Marj Read more
Cathy D., Canada
Marjolein is amazing! Her knowledge and talent not only took me to the next level of this art form but inspired me in a whole new direction. I learned many new techniques while enjoying getting to know Marjolein. The accommodations were lovely and so was she.
Maria S., United States
We've just returned from four days in Quebec with Marjolein and her husband Robert, our first VAWAA. It was transformative.
We completed multiple pieces now displayed in our home, each showcasing a different felting technique. Maria and I came in with no experience at felting but Marjolein used our backgrounds (Maria paints, I design, we both sew) and references (we did mood boards) to help us Read moreSusan S., United States
Marjolien is a fabulous artist and a talented teacher. My son and I worked on different projects, and she seamlessly assisted both of us as we worked through our pieces; we both learned so much during our stay. We very much enjoyed our non-studio time as well. Marjolien and her family are great hosts. Food was delicious and conversation was stimulating. Would highly recommend taking her workshop!
Anne C., Australia
What a fantastic 5 days we spent with Marjolein learning all sorts of weird and wonderful techniques to manipulate wool fibre into felt sculptures. Marjolein is a very giving artist willing to share her methods and also a great cook (as is her husband Robert). We ate very well and healthily and worked hard to create a number of different and colourful sculptural forms. And had most enjoyable conve Read more
Clare H., United Kingdom
Marjolein lives in a magical forest in the foothills of the Laurentians, a very special place. I stayed in the top floor of her workshop, a cosy wood space with quilts on the bed which had belonged to her mother, and a fridge stuffed with all sorts of breakfast goodies...completely private. Marjolein is a highly respected and globally renowned felt sculptress, who is also a gifted, patient, and re Read more
Madeline S., United States
My VAWAA vacation with Marjolein was just fantastic. I couldn't have been happier with my experience meeting her and her husband, staying at their beautiful place, eating their delicious and artfully prepared meals as well as learning new felting techniques.
I have some experience creating flat felt, so learning the processes required to build up forms was new. I appreciated Marjolein's patienc Read moreMatthew S., Canada
This was my partner and I's first time trying VAWAA, and we could not have been happier with our experience with Marjolein!
Firstly, Marjolein was a fantastic host! She was both very welcoming, inviting, and accommodating to include us in her meals and home - but, at the same time was cognizant of giving us space. The meals were amazing! Again very accommodating in this regard, specifically in Read moreSandra G., United States
My VAWAA experience with Marjolein was absolutely wonderful. She is a stunning artist and incredible teacher who customized the workshop for my needs. Her studio is spacious and fully equipped with any and all materials/supplies needed. The guest apartment above the studio was very comfortable and thoughtfully furnished. Bonuses included the morning excursions down the wooded paths on the property Read more
Maru U., United States
Magical, extraordinary, superb! Words are not enough to express the experience I had.
Marjolein is one of the most remarkable people I have ever known.
When we arrived at her house at night, I could not see much; the fairy tale started suddenly. Marjolein opened the studio's door, my house, for four unforgettable days! Her work surrounded me; I felt I was in an extraordinary world. She showe Read moreTricia K., United States
My time with Marjolein was magical. It was precisely the creative retreat I needed. Four days of learning to let go of my artistic expectations, exploring color combinations I never previously dared, and daily inspiration as I worked alongside someone whose art I genuinely admire. Marjolein tailored the days to what worked best for my schedule and goals. She is a skilled teacher who teaches multip Read more
Francoise L., Canada
It was fantastic! I learned tons. Marjolein was very flexible and she stopped when I was tired and we started earlier when I asked.
I had my own large, well-lit apartment above her workshop. The food was delicious. I have nothing to criticize!
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12 reviews
