Dorothy Caldwell
Dorothy Caldwell
Dorothy Caldwell
Dorothy Caldwell

Dorothy Caldwell

Dorothy is a graduate of Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and maintains an active international exhibition and teaching schedule. She has carried out research in Japan, India, Australia, the Canadian Arctic on textile traditions and is the recipient of grants and awards including the prestigious Bronfman Award given to one Canadian craftsperson each year. Her work is included in many permanent collections including the American Museum of Art and Design; Canadian Museum of Civilization; The Carlton and Reta Lewis collection in Washington, D.C.; The Canadian Consulate in Bangkok, Thailand; and the International Quilt Museum and Study Center University of Nebraska.

Dorothy’s web site
Dorothy’s classes:

  • • May 21-26, 2017 | Human Marks

    Open or Close
    • SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit. If space does not become available, a full refund will be issued.

    Human Marks
    • Level: Beginning to advanced
    • Level: Beginning to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine: No
    • Materials fee:     $50
    • Facility usage fee: $30
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • Regular: $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    DESCRIPTION
    The marks we make record time and human energy. Working with paper and cloth this workshop will examine different kinds of marks including stitching, resist and batik, discharge, drawn and painted marks and more unconventional marks such as burning, piercing, and mending. Each of these will address a different aspect of physical movement and gesture that through time and repetition evolve into richly activated surfaces. Simple bookbinding techniques will be demonstrated for constructing book forms and participants will be able to expand on workshop experiments applying them to their own materials and imagery. Resource material will include slide talks, examples, and videos.

    SUPPLIES
    • Small bottle black India ink
    • Hardware store type of sponge brush approximately 1" wide - or a regular artist's paint brush
    • Sponge
    • Candle, incense, and matches
    • X-acto knife for stencil cutting
    • Roll of masking tape
    • Cotton or other non plastic string - heavier weight to be glued to blocks for printing
    • Several rubber bands
    • Hammer and a large nail
    • Rubber gloves
    • Apron (optional)
    • Sewing kit including at least 7 sewing needles with eyes large enough to accommodate embroidery thread
    • 1 skein of black and 2 skeins of white or off-white stranded embroidery thread and some colors of your choice
    • Embroidery or light colored pencil for drawing on black cloth
    • 4 pieces of black cotton - 4 1/2" x 16"
    • 1 piece of bright solid color cotton - 4 1/2" x 16"
    • 1 piece of scrap cotton any color - approximately 4" x 36”
    • 1/4 yard black cotton that will discharge with bleach (test with a drop of bleach to see if it lightens or changes the color - bleached area may change to brown, red, or off white or other - if it doesn't change, you need to try another black cotton)
    • You are welcome to bring bookmaking equipment if you have it such as an awl, bone folders, etc.
    • Up to 5 images of your work on a CD disk, memory stick, or on your computer or Ipad, or an actual example to be shared with the group. You will have 5 minutes maximum to share your work. (optional)
    • Please bring a personal collection of materials for possible inclusion in your final book. Throughout the workshop you will be given a series of exercises that may become part of your final book. The "exercise" pages are a base that can be altered through cutting, stitching, painting or incorporating materials that you use in your own work. Some of the personal materials past participants have brought are transparent fabrics, dress maker patterns, hand made papers, maps, water colors, threads.
    • Optional: Japanese hole punch


    The materials fee covers paper, fabric and other supplies that will be used in class.

    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Dorothy

  • • May 28-June 2, 2017 | In Place: Observing ... Recording ... Making

    Open or Close
    • SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit. If space does not become available, a full refund will be issued.

    In Place: Observing ... Recording ... Making
    • In Place: Observing ... Recording ... Making
    • Level: Beginning to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine: No
    • Materials fee:     $40
    • Facility usage fee:     $30
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • Regular: $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    DESCRIPTION
    Place is where we are right now. Observing ... In this workshop, part of the day will be spent outside experiencing place through tuning into your senses and carrying out exercises in collecting, walking, mapping, sitting, listening, and touching.

    Recording ... We will examine how as artists we collect and record information that builds a base for studio work. Small handmade journals will be constructed and used for recording.

    Making.....Back in the studio, these experiences, recordings, and collections will be translated onto cloth and paper through stitching, rubbings, dyeing, stencils and other methods.

    Participants should be prepared to spend time outside as well as in the studio.

    SUPPLIES
    • Sewing kit with needles, cutters
    • 15 skeins of embroidery thread (colors of your choice)
    • Two conventional maps showing your place in two different ways (these could be local or state or even world!)
    • 100 objects from your place ... these could be all the same thing such as 100 pebbles or 100 pieces of trash, or 100 pressed flowers ... it can be anything that comes from where you live.
    • Rubber gloves
    • 2 egg cartons
    • Cottage cheese size container of earth from your place (if you are coming from outside of the U.S. you will not be able to bring this)
    • Camera or cellphone or tablet
    • Magnifying glass
    • Rain gear ... umbrella we will go out rain or shine!
    • Insect repellent
    • Long pants for working outside
    • If you are driving, please bring a folding chair or stool for working outside

    • Optional:
    • Japanese hole punch
    • Awl
    • Bone folder
    • Water colors
    • Maps


    The materials fee covers paper, fabric and other supplies that will be used in class.

    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Dorothy
  • • 2017 Spring class tuition and Meal plan
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    • Note: Some of the workshops have an additional fee for materials & facility usage. Each class description indicates whether there is an additional fee. Material/facility fees are due with the final payment.

    Meal plan
    During the art retreats, Margaret Wolf, will prepare fabulous gourmet lunches and dinners plus a coffee/snack break daily during each week of class. The meal plan is provided so participants may concentrate fully on their work without being bothered by the interruption and inconvenience of cooking for themselves. The break times present a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students, share ideas, and just relax together in this wonderful environment.

    The meal plan includes an opening night welcome dinner, five lunches, five afternoon coffee/pastry breaks, and four more dinners during the duration of the workshop. Coffee, tea and water will be served during these break times. Participants are responsible for any other beverage choices, such as soda pop, beer, wine, milk or bottled water.

    Please keep in mind that if anyone chooses not to participate in the meal plan, they are solely responsible for all of their meals, snacks, coffee, tea, and other beverages. The kitchen facilities are reserved for the resident chef. There is a microwave and a refrigerator in the wet studio for student use. Most restaurants are at least a 20 minute drive away from the barn.

    Please note: Due to facility limitations, meal plans are available only for workshop participants.
  • • Accommodations
    Recommended accommodations & offering special rates:

    Hampton Inn, Pickerington, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    This clean, comfortable hotel is offering reduced rates. Please ask for "Nancy Crow Workshop" special rate (includes breakfast) using the local phone number 614-864-8383 or book online

    Best Western, Pickerington, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    All suites hotel with separate living area and bedroom. Offers complimentary full hot breakfast, free wifi, heated indoor pool, exercise room, & business center. Call 614-860-9804 to book and ask for “Nancy Crow Workshop” special rate.

    Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Reynoldsburg (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    Please ask for "Crow Barn Workshop" special rate (includes breakfast) using the local phone number 614-861-8888 or Email the manager

    The Morgan Theater Home, Baltimore, Ohio (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn, mention Crow Barn)
    Former silent movie theater converted into a private residence. Three rooms for rent include free cable TV & free high speed internet access. Kitchen/refrigerator/stove & all "kitchen stuff" available. Phone: 740-862-4765 or Email

    Rosabella B & B, Millersport, Ohio (10 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn; mention Crow Barn)
    Beautifully restored 1850s Italianate farmhouse is surrounded by farm fields. Breakfast included. The grounds include a wrap-around porch, hammock, patio, pool, hot tub, and fire pit. Phone: 740-467-3580

    Other accommodations, please negotiate your own weekly rates:

    AirBnB options in the area near the Crow Timber Frame Barn

    City of Lancaster, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Hampton Inn, 740-654-2999, clean and quiet
    City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Fairfield Inn, 614-864-4555

    Campgrounds near the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    Rippling Stream Campground, Baltimore, OH, 740-862-6065, (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    KOA Campground, Buckeye Lake, OH, 740-928-0706, (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
  • • Miscellaneous information
    Roommate
    • Please let us know if you would like a roommate. We will try to match you with another participant to share accommodations.

    Travel to and from the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    • The Barn is located near Baltimore, Ohio (southeast of Columbus, Ohio)
    • Please keep in mind that there is not a shuttle service to and from the motels to the farm, therefore please arrange a rental car or carpool with another participant.
    • Port Columbus (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio, is the major airport serving the area (30 minute drive to the Barn)

    Rental sewing machines, cutting mats & lamps
    • Bernina sewing machines are available for $75 per 5-day class.
    • Cutting mats are available for $15 per 5-day class.
    • Lamps are available for $15 per 5-day class.

    Formal class hours
    • Monday-Friday: 9-12 and 2-5 daily
    (Classrooms are open 7 am-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 7 am-5 pm Friday)

    Professional facilities
    Each student is provided with a large work table, an 8’ x 8’ work wall, and a comfortable chair. Classrooms are well illuminated and are open from early morning until late in the evening, plus the classrooms have air conditioning & heating. The surface design/dye studio at the Crow Timber Frame Barn includes large padded tables, lots of light (natural and color-corrected bulbs), 3 commercial stainless steel sinks, & washer/dryer. All facilities are non-smoking.

    Mailing list
    If you would like to be placed on a mailing list for information about upcoming art retreats, please send your contact info.

    Questions? Email
Images of Dorothy Caldwell, her work, student work and classes at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

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