The Society’s Records

Viola Harris

← People of the Society · on record 1954–1989

Everything the Society’s own records say of Viola Harris — the offices held, the standings conferred, and the awards won — gathered on one page. Where the records are silent, so is this one.

In memoriam · 6 July 1996

In Toronto, aged 93. Honourary life Fellow and President of CSCL 1963-65, and a past President of the Ontario Crafts Council. An OCC volunteer and accountant for the Canadian Guild of Crafts, she began at the Guild Shop on Bloor Street West in 1965 and worked at North York General Hospital's craft shop until she was 84.

From Winter 1996–97, page 3.

Also recorded as Viola E. Harris

Standing

Life Member 1989

Certification

Associate of the CSCL 1960
Fellow of the CSCL 1970
Printed as an honorary Fellowship, not the usual points-based election: "Miss Viola Harris was presented with an honorary Fellowship in recognition of her many years of devoted service to the Society," the presentation made by Olivia Smith. The register had held her only from the undated c. 1985 list, which does not distinguish honorary from ordinary Fellows.

An Associate of the Society from 1960, she served as its President from 1963 to 1965 after years as Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Vice-President. One piece of hers was chosen for “Ontario Crafts – Leather Today”, the Society’s Centennial travelling exhibition: a red leather box with a stone. 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. She was given an honorary Fellowship in 1970 in recognition of her service, and was made a Life Member in 1981. She made a square for the CSCL Leather Quilt. After her death in 1996 she was remembered as a past President of the Ontario Crafts Council who had worked at the Canadian Guild of Crafts and later at North York General Hospital's craft shop.

From Winter 1996–97, page 3; Fall 1998, page 2; and Fall 1967, page 9.

Served the Society as

President 1963–65; 1963–1964
Past President 1965–1968
Recording Secretary 1954–1960
3rd Assembly Committee - Secretary 1956
Secretary 1956–1959
Corresponding Secretary 1957–1958
Assistant Editor 1961
Vice-President 1961–1962
10th Assembly Committee - Secretary 1964
Ontario Crafts Conference Delegate 1965
Liaison Officer for C.S.C.L. & Canadian Guild of Crafts 1968
World Crafts Council Delegate 1976

Honours

Life Membership 1981
Presented at the 1981 Annual Meeting, Beacon Motor Inn, Jordan Station (Vineland), Ontario, one of four Life Memberships given "to the following long-time members of the C.S.C.U. in recognition of their years of service to the Society."

Awards

Canadian Handicrafts Guild Competition First Prize 1963
Craftsman Award, 11th International Assembly 1965
International Assembly Salon Ribbon 1962–1963

Demonstrations given

Demonstration opening the Toronto Branch season 1964
Branch meetings, autumn 1964
From Autumn 1964.
Making a wallet that needs very little stitching and no lacing 1965
Toronto Branch meetings, 1964-65 season
From Spring 1965, page 4.

Where this comes from

This name in the index of people →