Helen Wheaton

The People

Helen Wheaton

← People of the Society · on record 1952–1990

This is the Society’s own record of Helen Wheaton. A biography: Who’s Who in Leathercraft · Spring 1973 →

The Society’s records

Everything the Society’s own records say of Helen Wheaton: the offices held, the standings conferred, and the awards won. Where the records are silent, so is this part of the page.

In memoriam · 28 August 1995

A Fellow of the Society, in her 86th year. Active in leathercraft from 1948, and a President of the Society. An excellent teacher, generous with her time and knowledge.

From Winter 1995–96, page 5.

Also recorded as H. Wheaton, H.M. Wheaton, Helen M. Wheaton

Standing

Life Member 1989

Branch

London · recorded holding office in 1963

Certification

Associate of the CSCL 1954
Fellow of the CSCL 1965

She was a charter member of the London Leather Carvers' Guild and its first secretary, and chaired its Examining Committee; the London group later became a Branch of the Society. She took a Teaching Certificate “A” in 1957. She taught leatherworking techniques to newer members of the Society. One piece chosen for “Ontario Crafts – Leather Today”, the Society’s Centennial travelling exhibition: a brief case. The Canadian Guild of Crafts (Ontario) selected the articles; the exhibition opened at the Guild Shop on 2 October 1967 and was to travel across Canada during 1968. Showed three pieces at Leather '74, the Society's exhibition at the Toronto Public Libraries' Learning Resources Centre, 666 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, 3-28 June 1974; two pieces in the Society's exhibition at the Craft Gallery and Resource Centre of the Ontario Crafts Council, 346 Dundas Street West, Toronto, 2-28 March 1976; and two pieces at Leather '78, the Society's exhibition at the Etobicoke Civic Centre, 550 Burnhamthorpe Road, November 1978. Made a Life Member along with Dorothy Muma and Jessie Little.

From Spring 1973, page 6; Spring 1962, page 2; Leather ’74: exhibition catalogue, Toronto Public Libraries, page 6; Exhibition catalogue 1976: Craft Gallery of the Ontario Crafts Council, Toronto, page 6; Leather ’78: exhibition catalogue, Etobicoke Civic Centre, page 6; 33rd Annual Meeting 1983: programme, The Royal Resort, Fenelon Falls, page 5; and Fall 1967, page 9.

Held the Society's professional stamp No. XIX, issued in 1956.

From Register of professional stamps, May 2012.

Served the Society as

President 1972–1975
Past President 1975–1977
2nd Vice-President 1968
Secretary, London Leather Carvers Guild 1952
Council 1961–1988
London Branch President 1963–1964
Executive Council 1967
London Branch Treasurer 1967
Chairman Exhibitions Committee 1968
Vice Chairman in charge of Committees 1968
London Branch Secretary 1969
Vice-President 1969–1971
Midwest Federation of Leather Guilds Show attendee 1970
Chairman of Council of Fellows 1978
Chairwoman Council of Fellows 1979
Council of Fellows Chair 1979
Chairman, Council of Fellows 1980
Chairman of Fellows 1981
Director 1982–1990

Honours

Life Membership 1982
One of three Life Memberships presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting, Toronto, 1 May 1982.
Life Membership, Leather Pounders International (Salt Lake City) 1974
Presented to Helen Wheaton by Howard Brock Sr. at the 24th Annual Meeting, Belleville, 4 May 1974; a different honour from her 1982 CSCL Life Membership.

Awards

Canadian Handicrafts Guild Competition Honourable Mention 1964
Canadian Handicrafts Guild Competition Second Prize 1964
Canadian National Exhibition Banner Competition, Category A: 3rd 1978
Canadian National Exhibition First Prize 1966
Canadian National Exhibition Second Prize 1966
Canadian National Exhibition Third Prize 1966
Craftsman Ribbon 1968, 1979
International Assembly Craftsmanship Ribbon 1964
International Assembly Salon Ribbon 1963, 1964
Pacific National Exhibition Second Prize 1964

Demonstrations given

Dyes 1962
12th Annual
From Spring 1962, page 2.
Dyeing Leather 1964
14th Annual
From Spring 1964, page 2.
Two films on leather carving and leather dye technique, and a demonstration using Mac's dyes on horse heads 1964
London Branch meetings, 1963-64 season
From Spring 1964, page 6.
Saddle Stitching 1967
17th Annual
From Spring 1967, page 5.
Dyeing techniques 1969
Woodstock Branch meeting, 3 April 1969
From Leatherworkers (notice).
Folded Wallets 1969
19th Annual
From Spring 1969, page 2.
A two-day leather glove workshop 1977
Woodstock Branch, 1977-78 season
From Leathercraft skilled art.
Saddle Stitching 1979
29th Annual
From 29th Annual Meeting 1979: programme, The Continental Inn, Barrie.
Saddle Stitching 1980
30th Annual
From 30th Annual Meeting 1980: programme, Sun Valley Motor Inn, Belleville.

Where this comes from

Life and work

From her profile in the Society's "Who's Who in Leathercraft" column.

Background: Helen Wheaton was born and educated in London.
Work: She worked as a secretary in personnel work.
Study: She attended business college. She became interested in arts and crafts when she was recommended for a second year of art instruction in high school. She was involved in crafts at the Y.W.C.A.'s Camp Orendaga in the summer of 1948, and in the winter of 1948-49 took an instructors' course in leather tooling under Arthur Burgess, for which she received a certificate. In June 1950 she studied leather carving under Mr. and Mrs. Jack McDougall. Her teachers, by subject, were A. Burgess (tooling and general leathercraft), Jack McDougall (carving), Robert Muma (tooling and coloring), Eli Jorgenson (leather and design), Jane Gribble (glove making), Dr. R. Larmour (Garnet dye technique), and Don MacKinnon and Ray Cherry (saddle stitching).
Teaching: She taught in London, St. Mary's and Mitchell District High Schools, in Kiwanis Boys and Girls Clubs, in "Y" groups and privately.

From the biography “Who’s Who in Leathercraft · Spring 1973”.

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