Passions:
** beads ** feathers ** leather ** cedar bark ** grass ** fabrics
Jan Green was born in the small town of Petrolia, Ontario. She has two sisters and one brother. Her parents live in Petrolia, in the same home they settled in after their marriage.
From a very young age, Jan enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends. At the age of seven, her sister brought home some crafts and this is when Jan began working with beads. Without the aid of a teacher, she learned to bead by studying and sometimes, taking apart, other people's beadwork. Wherever Jan has lived, she has always packed her cherished beads.
Jan lived for several years in Alberta, and had an opportunity to spend more time with her family on her father's side, as well as visit the homestead sites of her grandparents. During this time, she worked at a variety of jobs; tree farming, waitressing, chef, construction labourer and house-sitter... to name just a few.
Eventually, her travels brought her west to Vancouver Island, "for a visit." She hasn't left yet and has no plans to!!
At the age of 28, Jan returned to school. At U.B.C., she completed a degree in anthropology and a degree in education. She returned to Vancouver Island after being away for four years.
Jan graduated, moved and married all within the same week! Jan and her husband, Moy Sutherland Sr., live in Port Alberni. Jan has worked as a educator in the Alberni Valley for over 20 years. Currently, she is program coordinator of a "learning to learn" centre for Nuu-chah-nulth community members, called a-m'aa-sip Essential Skills, NETP. Jan also sits as Secretary with the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association, a provincial collective of adult education and post secondary institutes that support and graduate First Nations, Inuit and Metis learners.
While working full time, Jan completed an intercontinental, on-line Master's of Education Program over 2.5 years. She enjoyed the incredible learning experience of the Adult Learning and Global Change Program, while being an E-learner. During her Master's there was not time for weaving, so Jan is happy to be weaving and beading again since graduating in November of 2007.
Jan's husband, Moy Sutherland Sr. (and family) have strong ties to their West Coast, Nuu-chah-nulth culture. Jan is immersed in the teachings and practices of her family and community. Her respect and support for Nuu-chah-nulth culture challenges Jan to bridge the art of beading, with the traditional art of cedar bark and grass weaving. For many years, Jan experimented with bark, on her own, like her early beginnings with beads.
Her natural interest and gift of weaving is shared by many family members. Jan is privileged to have loving counsel from aunties and cousins who encourage and support her. With respect, Jan acknowledges the family weavers who have shared their love of weaving and have guided her; Lena Jumbo, June Parker, Doris Parker and the late Carrie Mickey.
Jan has worked with cedar bark for over 22 years now. She says that she will consider herself a 'master weaver' in thirty, or forty, or fifty years (or so).
Reflections:
"My understanding of the world comes from sensual and spiritual experiences in nature. I feel that my purpose in life is to release these experiences in the expression of art. My inspiration comes from being part of the natural order of the world.
I am intrigued and connected, intrinsically, with nature's energies. Many people tell me that they feel this energy when wear, use, or display something I've created.
My most meaningful and most lovely pieces are created when I make something with a specific person in mind."
