Helen Wheaton

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

Mrs. Helen M. Wheaton - London. Helen was born and received her education in London, she attended business college and worked as a secretary in personnel work.

She became interested in Arts and Crafts when she was recommended for a second year of Art instruction in high school. Helen was involved in Crafts at Y.W.C.A. Camp Orendaga in the summer of 1948, and attended an Instructors course in leather tooling under Mr. Arthur Burgess the winter of 1948-49, and received a certificate. In June 1950 she studied carving leather under the instruction of Mr. & Mrs. Jack McDougall. Helen became a charter member of the London Leather Carver's Guild and served as their first secretary. Later the London group became a Branch of the Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft. Helen taught classes conducted by London Leather Carvers' Guild under supervision of Mrs. Margaret Jennings — thus she gained experience in teaching Leathercraft. Also acted as chairman of the Examining Committee for the London Leather Carvers' Guild. She has served on the Executive of C.S.C.L. and London Branch.

Helen received Associate standing in C.S.C.L. in 1954, a Teaching Certificate "A" in 1957 and became a Fellow of the Society in 1965.

Helen has taught in London, St. Mary's and Mitchell District High Schools; Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs; "Y" groups and privately.

Helen has demonstrated these forms of Leathercraft at Annual Meetings, fairs and exhibitions, International Assemblies and other gatherings of Leathercrafters.

She has served as Vice President for three years and is now serving as President of C.S.C.L..

From the "Who's Who in Leathercraft" column in Canadian Leathercraft, Spring 1973.