We are kicking off the New Year with what we love to do most— spotlight exceptional artists and their innovative works.
Juliana Scherzer’s exploration of textile techniques, using delicate preserved leaves and natural materials, earned her the Best of Craft and Design Award of $2,000—generously supported by Robert K. E. Mitchell and Brian H. Wade of Mitchell Studios.
Heather Rathbun, a familiar face at TOAF, continues to captivate us with her contemporary geometric and kinetic jewelry designs. Her evolving design perspective has translated into stunning statement pieces, earning her the Best of Jewellery award last summer.
Enjoy exploring their works.
Happy 2025 🥂
anahita & TOAF Team
P.S. Next week is a busy one here — don’t miss:
- App Camp — Tips on Preparing a Winning TOAF Application (featuring a mock jury), Tuesday, January 14, 2025
- From Studio to Galleries — Does Every Artist Need Representation?, Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Juliana Scherzer
Juliana Scherzer is a textile artist based in Mississauga, Ontario, specializing in free-motion machine embroidery and quilted leaves. Her work explores humanity’s relationship with nature through patterns found in trees, the human body, and urban environments. Using preserved leaves and natural materials, she creates pieces that reference both historical craft traditions and natural structures. Scherzer’s art reflects on how societal shifts towards anthropocentrism have distanced us from the natural world, despite our essential connection to it.
Hear from Judge
“Scherzer’s work was selected for the Best of Craft and Design Award for overall quality of work, material process and innovation. Scherzer’s work incorporates delicately preserved leaves as textile material combining stitch, quilting, weaving and plant rubbings to create a range of meticulously constructed artworks. Her attention to detail extends to the overall presentation of the works and booth design to create a cohesive experience for the viewer.”
— Liz Aston, Artist & Educator
What’s next for you?
In January I will be taking part in a 2 week residency at the Penland School of Craft where I will push the scale of my work and take influence from the incredible Penland community. In 2025 I also intend to continue my new body of work using LED lights within organic, sewn 3D sculptures, while also returning to my interest in sculptural free-motion machine embroidery. Aside from that, I will be back at TOAF in the summer as well as at The Artist Project in April. See you there, hopefully!
What is your ultimate dream as an artist?
I have many things I still want to do with my practice, including everything from textile conservation to costume making. But my big goal is to one day open a multi-craft studio and to run residencies from it.
Heather Rathbun
Heather Rathbun fell in love with making jewellery while studying fine art at NSCAD University in her hometown, Halifax, Nova Scotia. She founded her brand in 2008 after completing her goldsmithing training and moved to Toronto shortly after. Heather creates modern heirlooms to last a lifetime. Her fascination with architecture, fashion, art, geometry, and everyday objects influences her design perspective. These designs play a delicate balancing of styles. Contemporary yet timeless. Feminine yet atypical. Each piece is an invitation to define your own beauty, a treasure you can one day pass on to become part of your story.
Hear from Judge
“Heather Rathburn’s innovative and meticulously handcrafted jewelry stands out for its unique artistry. The play of geometric and kinetic forms of precious materials makes a contemporary statement while still being rooted in tradition.”
— Susan Friedrich, Award Donor
How long have you been showing your work at TOAF?
It’s been 14 years since I first participated in 2011! This year’s award marks my third recognition at TOAF/TOAE. I received the Best of Jewellery award in 2011 and an Honourable Mention for Best of Jewellery in 2015.
What challenges are you currently facing as an artist, and what support from the community could be beneficial?
This year has been one of many firsts for me. I became a mother at the beginning of 2024, and I’ve been on a journey learning how to navigate motherhood as a self-employed goldsmith. I’m blown away by the many ways my creative community has been there to support me on this wild ride, especially the three other goldsmiths I share a studio with. Finding my creativity this year has been enlivening, as much as it has been challenging and I’m lucky to have supportive clients who’ve kept me busy all year with custom projects.
Curated Collection
Vivid Mundanity
January 14, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
In-person – Unit 262, 401 Richmond Street West
Thinking of applying to the 64th edition of Canada’s leading contemporary outdoor & online art fair? Join our free, informative info session to learn more about the organization, our annual Fair, and how to create a strong TOAF application. This session is free to attend, but capacity is limited so please be sure to reserve your space.
January 15, 2025, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
In-person – Unit 262, 401 Richmond Street West
Should you seek gallery representation, or is self-representation the better path? This talk tackles the age-old question that emerging, mid-career, and even established artists face. You’ll hear from self-represented artists and gallery professionals, offering two distinct yet complementary perspectives on the role of galleries in an artist’s career and managing one’s art as a creative entrepreneur. They’ll share valuable insights on how to get noticed by gallerists or do it on your own, weighing the pros and cons and key dos and don’ts.
In partnership with ADAC.
