about Renate

Renate came to Canada from Germany in 1986. Already a skilled needle worker, she was introduced to quilting in Dundas Ontario. Quilting became a relaxing way to spend her free time and her initial work was with traditional and Amish quilts.

In her work as an award winning textile artist, Renate combines geometric forms, colours, contrast and different fabrics to create new designs. When she is finished with a quilt she is often surprised that all the pieces and all the different colours end up in harmony. Balance and harmony are an important aspect of her work.

More recently, after taking numerous pottery and fabric design classes at the DVSA, she has also become an accomplished potter who specializes in combining both art forms. In her pottery, Renate primarily hand builds her pieces using slabs and coils. She often makes use of Raku firing techniques to enhance and complete her work. Renate's highly original work combines Raku and textile.

Renate regularly exhibits her pieces at the Fusion show in Toronto as well as at the Hamilton Potter's Guild show and sale. Her work has also been accepted for the Hamilton and Region Potter's Guild Biennial Exhibition and the Juried Designer Craft Show at the Carnegie Gallery. She has received numerous awards for both her textile arts and her pottery.

In addition to exhibiting her work, Renate also enjoys passing on her skills to others at the DVSA (Dundas Valley School of Art) where she teaches a class on Quilting.

Her work is available for purchase at various locations including: The Art Gallery of Hamilton, The Carnegie Gallery, The Boutique and The Burlington Art Centre.