Hazel Quinn

The Society's newsletter ran a column, "Who's Who in Leathercraft", profiling one member at a time. This is the profile of Hazel Quinn, printed in Winter 1973 and transcribed here from the original.

Mrs. Hazel Quinn, our most westerly member, resides in Edmonton and is a very active worker in promoting Leathercraft.

Hazel became interested in leathercraft "away back when" in night school classes at Victoria Composite High School and leather has played an important part in her life ever since.

Hazel took a basic leadership course under Alberta Provincial Government — Cultural Activities in order to qualify for Advanced Leather Courses. Hazel was indeed fortunate in studying under Mr. Robert Muma, of Mumart Studio, Toronto, and a Fellow of Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft. Bob taught classes at Red Deer, Alberta, for three summers 1960-61-62. For four weeks each of these years, Hazel studied the Mumart techniques of working and dyeing leather.

For several years Hazel instructed in leather for the Edmonton Parks and Recreation, did volunteer work for the Boys Club of Canada, has conducted classes at Tandys, and Volunteer work for the Community League.

Hazel tried valiantly to establish a leather workers group that might develop into a Western branch of C.S.C.L.. However this group has now disbanded much to her sorrow.

Hazel has entered work in the Edmonton Exhibition "Klondike Days 1971" where she received 1st. prize and the Canadian Handicraft Guild award for most outstanding piece of work in the show, on Portraits of Indian people - one of Chief Dan George in 1972.

The last we heard from Hazel she was keeping busy at the Provincial Museum and Archives the summer of 1973, with Visitor participation and again won awards at "Klondike Days" on an Indian Portrait in Leather.

Congratulations Hazel Quinn and keep up the good work.

From the "Who's Who in Leathercraft" column in Canadian Leathercraft, Winter 1973, written by H. Wheaton.