More Than a Workshop
Interview & Photography / Catherine Bernier
In collaboration with ARTEA
Last spring, in partnership with ARTEA, we welcomed ceramicist and paper artist Catherine Valois from Quebec city, who was in residence at The Parcelles for the week, alongside Dartmouth-based author, contemporary fibre artist and speaker Meryl Cook for a day-long block printing workshop led by Alyssa of Keep House.
Catherine and Meryl were selected for the 2026 ARTEA × The Parcelles Dual Opportunity Workshop, one of the annual creative exchanges we are proud to offer through our ongoing collaboration with ARTEA, made possible by its grant program.
More than a technical workshop, the day was an opportunity to learn a new craft, exchange ideas, and connect through creativity. It reflected what these three organizations value most: creating thoughtful experiences where artists can learn from one another and leave with new perspectives, fresh inspiration, and a stronger sense of creative community.
The morning began over tea, with sketchbooks opening almost as quickly as conversations. Before a single mark was carved into the linoleum, ideas were shared, refined, questioned, and occasionally abandoned in favour of something simpler—a reminder that the strongest patterns often begin with the simplest shapes. Under Alyssa's thoughtful guidance, Catherine and Meryl transformed their drawings into hand-carved printing blocks, discovering that block printing requires equal parts patience, trust, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. Thankfully, perfection was never on the agenda.
By lunchtime, the studio floor was sprinkled with tiny curls of carved linoleum, hands carried traces of pigment, and the first glimpses of each artist's pattern had begun to emerge. A shared meal gave everyone the chance to pause, continue conversations, and enjoy the slower rhythm of creating together before returning to the studio. In the afternoon, the carved blocks finally met the fabric. Layers of pigment, repeating patterns, linen scraps, and a few happy accidents transformed the space into a joyful playground for experimentation. Some prints turned out exactly as imagined, while others surprised their makers in the best possible way—proof that hand printing leaves room for the artist's hand to remain visible in every piece.
For Catherine Valois, Alyssa's generosity as both an instructor and artist was one of the highlights of the day: "Alyssa explained the block printing technique so well, and I loved hearing about her own artistic practice, her projects, and her experience with block printing. The setting was beautiful, and I immediately felt welcome. It was also wonderful to share lunch together."
Beyond discovering a new technique, Catherine appreciated the opportunity to step inside another artist's creative world while feeling instantly at home.
For Meryl Cook, the workshop was equally memorable—not only for the skills she gained, but for the connection she formed with Catherine. "I’m over the moon happy with how the day went. It was delightful to meet Catherine and to create with her today. I suspect I have made a new friend in her!"
She also reflected on how the experience expanded her artistic practice: "The workshop with Alyssa was both inspiring and thoughtfully guided. I’m very pleased with what I was able to accomplish (with lots of help from Alyssa), and I know I’ve just added another useful skill to my textile art toolbox."
The day continued over a shared lunch, reinforcing The Parcelles' belief that some of the most meaningful conversations happen around the table as much as they do in the studio.
This collaboration beautifully reflects the shared mission of ARTEA, Keep House, and The Parcelles: to support artists not only by offering opportunities to develop new skills, but by fostering spaces where creativity, generosity, and human connection can flourish together.
Portraits by Catherine Bernier / @cath.be
