Bennett has been a felt artist since 2001, developing a strong foundation of skills in her exploration of felt as a medium for sculptural, wearable and framed art. She has studied with internationally renowned artists such as Fiona Duthie (Canada), Andrea Graham (united States) and Pam deGroot (Australia) as she continues her exploration of feltmaking as a sculptural form.
Before working as a felt artist, Bennett studied textile art, surface design and embroidery with a variety of international teachers, including Jan Beaney (U.K.) of the renowned 62 Group, London. Before her fibre career, she received a B.A.A., business degree from Ryerson Polytechnical University, Toronto.
Currently, Bennett is a member of the international Surface Design Association, International Felters Association, and The Craft Council of British Columbia. She is the Treasurer and Board member for the non-profit Ptarmigan Arts Society on Pender Island. She has had work in both juried and invitational shows in Vancouver, the Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island, including the regional, juried Sooke and Sidney Fine Arts shows. Her art has been published in the Australian magazine, 'Felt', the international book 'Worldwide colours of Felt', and in online exhibitions. Bennett's latest work, 'Playing with Nature', was accepted into "Inspired by Archetypes" in Tulsa, Oklahoma 2022, juried by internationally recognized surface design artist, Jane Dunnewold.
For the past four years, she curated shows for Ptarmigan Arts Society's Gallery at Hope Bay on Pender Island and managed the gallery in 2023. Previously, she was a founding member of the Pender Island Artisan Cooperative which ran the Red Tree Gallery from 2005 - 2012. Bennett moved from Vancouver's North Shore to Pender Island with her husband in 1999.
Her work can be found in private collections in Canada, the United States, Great Britain, and South Africa.
StatementI have worked with handmade felt as my art medium since 2001. In my new series, "Beach Talismans', I have featured 9 unique beaches on Pender Island, using collected detritus and natural elements to draw attention to human impacts on the environment. My work encourage viewers to have a closer connection to, and interaction with, everything around them. It is important to continue to focus on our vital connection to Nature and to draw attention to the ongoing need to preserve and protect the Earth.
