Coreen Zerr

Teacher, Mentor, Fibre Artist, Commissioned Artist, Quilter

Coreen Zerr

"Eyes of the Wise" (below) won Excellence in Threadwork using Wonderfil Threads at Quilt Canada National Juried Show - June, 2016.

Artist Statement

I am a fibre artist living in Nanaimo, BC, who utilizes fabric and thread to create art in a way that captures the elements of texture, colour and line that fibre can achieve.  I want my work to show what can be created with these elements and to educate others. The tactile feel of this art is exhilarating and rewarding.  I create realistic art, often using the beautiful scenery and nature of the world around me.  Using thread as my paintbrush, I use a domestic sewing machine to “paint” what I see.

Trees have been a major inspiration to me, trees , all kinds in all seasons.  When I went through my portfolio even I was astounded at how many pieces I have created that interpret trees in one form or another.

Living on Vancouver Island gives me plenty of opportunity to study trees and their cycles during the year. Being one of our most important resources, I have followed and mourned the loss of many of our beautiful forests in British Columbia by the devastation of the Pine Beetle and of forest fires.

My current works are based on photos taken by a fellow artist photographer Don Zeghers, while on safari in Africa and his study of birds and nature of North America.

• 2002 Juried into CQA Nationals Edmonton, Alberta
• 2004 Judges Choice CQA Nationals at Winnipeg, Manitoba
• 2004 Honorable Mention Small Innovative CQA Nationals Winnipeg, Manitoba
• 2004 Juried into World Quilt Show
• 2005 Juried into CQA Nationals, Ottawa, Ontario, juried into World Quilt Show
• 2006 Canada Uncovered Paducah, Kentucky, USA
• 2006 Juried into World Quilt Show
• 2007 Chosen to display at Shelburne Museum Vermont USA
• 2007 Won Viewer's Choice at the CQA Nationals,Kamloops, BC
• 2008 Taught at the Canadian Nationals in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• 2009 Juried into World Quilt Show
• 2009 Taught at the Canadian Nationals in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• 2010 Won 1st in the Manitoba Homecoming contest
• 2011 Won Best of Country at the Worlds
• 2012 Juried into AQS Paducah Kentucky
• 2012 Taught at Halifax CQA
• 2014 Won 1st for Excellence for Original Design Realistic Pictorial Wall quilts at CQA National Juried Show
• 2015 Juried into The Road to California Quilt Show in Ontario California
• 2015 Juried into the CQA National Quilt Show
• 2015 Juried into the World Quilt Show
• 2016 Won Excellence in Threadwork using Wonderfil Threads at Quilt Canada National Juried Show
• 2017- Juried into CQA Nationals Toronto, Ont and 2017 Juried into Sooke Fine Arts show.
• 2017- Taught at the CQA Nationals Toronto, Ontario
• 2018- Juried into The CQA National Juried Show, Vancouver, BC
• 2019- Juried into the CQA National Juried Show, Ottawa, Ontario
  

• Commissioned artist:  completed 5 large landscapes for St. Phillips by the Sea Anglican Church in Lantzville, BC and commissioned pieces for private collections.
• Community involvement:  made and donated over 300 raffle and charity quilts to Nanaimo Quilt Guild, Parksville Quilt House Quilters, Order of the Eastern Star, and the United Church of Canada.
• Active contributor for two guilds: Nanaimo and Parksville.  Worked in leadership capacities on quilt shows for both guilds.
•  Invited to speak and teach at other guilds across Canada.

		Myself along with my partner Krista Zeghers won 1st place at the National Juried CQA/ACC show 2014 for Original Design Pictorial Wall Quilt for Serengeti Moment    (Click on photos to enlarge)
		Manitoba Homecoming quilt Competition 2010 - 1st Place! The quilt to the left is the quilt that my sister in law Phyllis Gane and I entered in the competition. The quilt will be showcased at Manitoba House at the Olympics in February as well as many events throughout Manitoba in 2010. We are thrilled! This quilt has been juried into the AQS Paduch Kentucky Show - April 2011 We just won "Best of Country" at the Worlds! - August 18, 2011 (Click on photo to enlarge)