—Workshops—
Join CRUX and O’Brien Farm’s Irish Artist in Residence
Brendan Farren and local artist Susan Furneaux Workshops will take place at O’Brien’s Farm
150 Oxen Pond Road, St. John’s
Creating Living Willow Structures
with Brendan Farren
Saturday, May 31st, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
O’Brien’s Farm, Workshop: $25
Potluck Lunch to Follow
Discover the art and ecology of working with living willow in this hands-on workshop led by Brendan Farren. You’ll learn how to design, plant, and sculpt with willow to create both functional and imaginative living structures—from arches and fences to whimsical forms that evolve with the seasons.
This workshop offers an introduction to sustainable, accessible land art using one of nature’s most versatile materials. Brendan will guide participants through the principles of living willow work, blending discussion, demonstration, and group collaboration. Together, the group will construct a living willow structure on-site at O’Brien’s Farm.
Spaces are limited to 15 participants
*register early to secure your spot.
Cost: $25.00
Following the workshop, we invite everyone—whether attending the workshop or not—to join us for a community potluck lunch. Bring a dish to share and enjoy good company in the beautiful surroundings of O’Brien’s Farm.
Learn to Sew a Basket
with Susan Furneaux
Saturday, June 21st , 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
O’Brien’s Farm, Workshop: $75
Learn to sew a basket with odds and ends of grass, fabric, wool, willow. Some materials will be foraged at O’Brien’s Farm and other materials will be provided.
Participants are are encouraged to bring fabric, lace, wool and dried materials such as fabric, fur, grass, seaweed and English Ivy to personalize your baskets.
Participants should bring scissors.
Spaces are limited to 8 participants
*register early to secure your spot.
Cost: $75.00
Learn to Weave a Hoop Basket
with Brendan Farren
Sunday, June 22nd, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
O’Brien’s Farm, Workshop: $75
This is a one-day course, open to beginners and improvers who want to weave a basket with willow, dogwood and other locally sourced stems.
Refreshments and light lunch provided. Brendan will guide you through the creation of your own hoop basket.
Participants should bring secateurs and a utility knife.
Spaces are limited to 8 participants *register early to secure your spot.
Cost: $75.00
I call my art practice Big Green Art, and since 1992 I have been creating art which uses natural materials, or has an environmental focus. This work includes weaving willow and hazel rods into sculptures and baskets, carving wood and stone with natural themes such as animals, illustrating magazines and publications with pen and ink drawings, painting murals of nature, and building shelter using natural materials. I have worked often as a community artist with a wide variety of groups. Our home is a hand- built, breathable, carbon-neutral house made from hemp, lime and timber.
‘Intimacy with materials in process, usage and place is the foundation of my work. I grow, nurture, forage and process my materials; my art and lifestyle inseparable. The seasons, the ebbs and flows of nature are honoured and present in the materials.’
Susan Furneaux is an artist, educator and craft consultant in Newfoundland and Labrador. For over 30 years, Furneaux has specialised with natural dye and fibre techniques, learning, teaching, exhibiting and being collected throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, nationally and internationally. Furneaux has won multiple awards for her embroidery, natural dye and innovative use of natural materials. As a typically bespoke fine craftsperson and artist with a holistic approach, Furneaux’s career and practice is increasingly celebrated in contemporary art spaces.
Susan is an instructor at the College of the North Atlantic's Textile & Apparel Design.