Bonnie Halfpenny was born in Ohio, and lived in both California and Arizona before happily settling in Portland, Oregon with her family.  Her work has been featured in group shows in galleries and museums.

Bonnie’s early serious studies of art included many classes in textiles and photography.  She ran a business, Photos to Fabric, transferring images to cloth.  From there, she discovered the world of art quilts.  Influenced by the rich heritage of Pueblo pottery, she also developed cloth “softpots”.  Gradually, she became more interested in the fibers being used such as threads or roving, than in the fabrics themselves, and developed wall pieces held together by threads, rather than fabric.

 As an art teacher and a children’s librarian, she had the privilege of immersing herself and young students in the diverse world of picture book illustration.  She taught many classes using illustration as a jumping off point for art lessons, and also had children create their own books.

Now retired, she is dedicated to combining fibers, book arts, and surface design techniques into her unique artwork.  She continues to teach by volunteering with adults in art programs.

Bonnie received a B.A. in Art with a concentration in textiles from Arizona State University.  She also holds an M.A. in School Library Science from Arizona State and an M.A.L.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Arizona.  She was certified to teach both art and library science K-12 in Arizona. 

Selected Exhibits Include:

2019 Exhibition of Smoke Screen (mass shootings memorial) at North Portland Library.

2018 Puget Sound Book Artists Eighth Annual Exhibition (Collins Memorial Library Award), Tacoma, Washington for With a Compass, Without a Map.

2015 A River Runs Through It, Portland, Oregon

2012-2016 Village Gallery of the Arts, Portland, Oregon

2004 Entwined: Contemporary Fiber Art, Shemer Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona

2003 Textures Gallery and Studio, Scottsdale, Arizona

2002 It’s Elemental, Coconino Arts Center, Flagstaff, Arizona

2001 Where Fact Meets Fiction, Dobson Branch Library, Mesa, Arizona

1990 Phoenix Then and Now, Invitational, Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona

1988 La Phoeniquera IV, Mars Artspace, Phoenix, Arizona (special mention)

Public Collections:

2018 With a Compass, Without a Map, unique book, University of Puget Sound, Collins Memorial Library Collection.

2000 Primary designer and group coordinator, “Centennial Quilt”, Phoenix Public Library.   With over 100 volunteers, this quilt won first place in the Arizona State Fair for group entries.  Collection of Phoenix Public Library.

1985 & 1986 “Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame Quilt”.  Printed photos and participated in quilting this six-paneled quilt.  First prize, Arizona State Fair, Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame Collection.

Publications:

2019 review of Smoke Screen in The Skanner

1998-2001 Columnist for Momversations: Parenting Newsletter on books and related art activities for children.

1989 Phoenix Magazine featured her work.

Teaching:

2018 Volunteer teaching “Paper Play” book arts workshops with adult groups.

2017-2018  Volunteer one-on-one with dementia patients in Opening Minds through Art program.  Also member of art activity development team, Rose Villa Senior Living Community, Portland, Oregon.

1985-1990 Taught transfers of photographic images to fabric in classes and workshops at the Textile Center of Scottsdale, Arizona Quilter’s Guild, Flagstaff Adult Center, quilt shops in Arizona.

Elementary and high school art teacher, including St. John’s Indian School, Laveen, Arizona

Copyright © 2019 Bonnie Halfpenny – All Rights Reserved