Nancy Durham
← Biographies · FCSCL · Woodstock · Leather 2013 exhibitor and 2012 Annual judge
This page is a biography of Nancy Durham. The Society’s own record of Nancy Durham — the offices held, the standings conferred and the awards won — is on the register page.
From the exhibition brochure for Leather 2013 — Creative Versatility, the Society’s show at the Woodstock Art Gallery, 12 January to 2 March 2013, for which each exhibitor supplied an artist statement, a biography and a note on every piece shown. Set out here as printed.
Nancy Durham was one of the judges at the 2012 Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft (CSCL) Annual Convention, Burlington. She is a Fellow in CSCL, with Fellow being the highest of the three skill rankings in that organization.
Her interest in leathercrafting began when she first observed a saddlemaker's wife carving a saddle. Thus began her leathercrafting journey. She bought a Tandy Beginner's Kit and taught herself how to do leather craft. Shortly thereafter she went to work at the saddle maker's and soon found herself -- through on-the-job training -- carving and tooling saddles.
In 1987 she joined CSCL and since then has progressed from observing to now teaching seminars on such topics as Lasted Boxes at leather conventions throughout Ontario. As well as teaching, this artist has been profiled in the media, published in Canadian Leathercraft, competed, exhibited and she continues to retail her work extensively. Her work continues to earn for her honours and awards. One of her pieces, Blue Box, was featured, and sold, at Glenhyrst Art Gallery, Brantford. She has many commissioned pieces in international collections. She accepts commissions which she works on in her own leather studio that she and her husband Dave built in Princeton.
She is a past member of the Woodstock Leather Guild, former CSCL President, and currently serves as Director on the national CSCL executive. In 2006 she was the recipient of a 10-year Ontario Volunteer Service Award from CSCL. This grandmother of two volunteers with VON Oxford in the SMART fitness program as an instructor. Durham is a Princeton-area artist who enjoys producing fine leather products for retail.
The pieces shown at Leather 2013
Two-Toned Scalloped Belt (4cm x 120cm, size 40). This belt presented a challenge with the unique edge treatment of scallops cut along part of the belt. A geometric design was stamped and highlighted using an antique finish after the main body and edges were dyed mahogany. Conchos and a three piece buckle set complete the look. For sale: $135
Autumn Leaves (20cm x 28cm x 2.5cm). This pair of wall hangings is the result of applying leaves to pigskin and highlighting them using an acrylic spatter dyed technique. They were then stretched over wooden frames with a folded corner treatment. For sale: $75
From the exhibition brochure for Leather 2013 — Creative Versatility, preserved in the Society’s archive. The brochure is the source for every word above; nothing has been added to it.