"The act of sewing is a process of emotional repair."
-Louise Bourgeois
Linnet Finley is a community-engaged fibre artist, educator and mother living and working in the North End of Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. With a keen sense of colour, Linnet produces vibrant and engaging artworks executed with a practised skill that honours the long tradition of textile and embroidery craft. A self-taught artist, she has over 20 years of experience honing her craft and the act of “making” has always been an integral part of her life.
Linnet’s art practice aims to foster community by creating connections. Much of this work utilizes stitching and embroidery as an approachable and comfortable vehicle to tackle more complex questions and draw the community into conversation.
Recently Linnet has been exploring map-making, specifically relating to ideas of localism, portrayals of community and the practice of counter-mapping (mapping working against dominant power structures).
Her practice also explores themes of resilience, healing, and living with chronic illness. Her work is strongly influenced by the natural world and the marks we make upon it.
In addition to her studio practice, Linnet has operated Linnet Bird Designs since 2010. She offers soft, colourful, innovative products for kids, simple yet ingenious patterns for makers, and patient, joyful, empowering classes for those who want to develop their own sewing and handwork practice.
“The community I am actively seeking to create is a diverse one where people's histories and stories are honoured, and their shared spaces are protected.”
Studio Policies
01
Cancellation Policy
All class fees are non-refundable.
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Weekly or Private Lessons:
If you need to cancel for any reason up to 48hrs before a lesson the fee can be credited towards a future class. If a lesson is cancelled due to instructor illness or bad weather the fee will automatically be forwarded to the next month’s lessons. If lessons are not continuing the following month the outstanding balance will be refunded.
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Workshops: Once you have made your payment a place is reserved for you in the class. Class fees are non-refundable, however if you need to cancel for any reason up to a week before the class starts the fee can be used towards a future class.
02
Accessibility
We are so lucky to now have a fully accessible studio and a lift for anyone who cannot use the stairs for any reason. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you require any additional special considerations and we will do our best to accommodate in whatever way we can.
03
Covid Policy
We have relaxed our Covid protocols at the studio, but are happy to mask for your comfort upon request. During Eyelevel bookstore open hours (Wed-Fri, 12-5pm) masks are required to enter the building but may be removed while working in the studio.
We ask that you stay home if you are feeling unwell.
04
Inclusion
We’re dedicated to creating a warm and friendly learning environment that values inclusion, guided by the principles of equity, diversity, and social justice. We believe that every learner and educator deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, making them feel welcome, included, and fully engaged. It's important to us that we use language that is inclusive and not discriminatory or offensive in all class activities.
05
Land Acknowledgement
We are creating and teaching within Kjipuktuk on the ancestral, unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
We hold a deep respect for these traditional lands and have a strong desire to continue learning and listening to indigenous voices. As such, we acknowledge the people of the Mi'kmaw Nation as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.
This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
We also acknowledge that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors of African descent who came before us to this land.
How to find us
Linnet is a part of Wonder'neath Art Society's Studio Artist program. You can find the Linnet Bird Designs Studio and Wonder'neath at 2482 Maynard St., in Halifax's North End.