2008 Crafts Demonstrators

Chair caner Joanne Duckworth has been practicing this craft for over 30 years. An in-need-of-repair chair from her grandmother inspired her to take a chair caning class so she could "put a little of  herself" into a treasure piece of furniture.  She has taught chair caning at Western Technical College for many years and enjoys seeing students create usable, beautiful furniture.

The Coulee Region Wood Turners have been in existence for 8 years and have over 70 members are from the tri-state region.  Together they have fun teaching and turning wood.  They also participate in the Empty Bowls Project benefiting area food pantries.

The La Crosse Area Quilters was formed in 1980 and their interests range from traditional to contemporary, from antique quilts to new patterns, quilted clothing, and accessories.  The members have appeared on television and display, demonstrate, and conduct workshops locally.

Laura Siitari is both a graphic artist and a painter (www.riverroadgallery.net). She has a BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and graduate-level training in art therapy. She and her husband moved from Milwaukee in 1999 to the Coulee Region after falling in love with and being inspired by the area's unique beauty. They owned a gallery in Lansing for 5 years before making their home up river in La Crosse. She is honored to be part of the Great River Folk Fest this year.