The Olive Sparrow is me, Monika Aebischer, I am a life-long artist and creator.

Born in Switzerland in late sixties. Immigrated to Canada in 1987. Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) honours (1999); awarded Governor General’s Medal and Ontario College of Art and Design Medal.

Monika Aebischer has been creating with her hands for over 30 years. Growing up in Switzerland she received a foundation curriculum of 8 years in needlework – sewing, knitting, mending, basketry, embroidery, etc.. Combining these skills with studies at the Ontario College of Art and Design (Honours, Governor Generals Award 1999) – her focus was in textiles, paper making and sculpture – her work is very unique. Monika is an artist with extensive technical knowledge in a wide range of techniques. She has managed her art studio in down town Toronto since 1997.

Awards, Scholarships & Grants
2003 Elected to Society of Canadian Artists (SCA) (member for 8 years)
2002 Best Graduate Booth Design—Uniquely Ontario (Toronto International Gift Fair)
1999 Governor General’s Medal—Printmaking (OCAD).
1999 Ontario College of Art & Design Medal—Printmaking
1999 M. Joan Chalmers Scholarship—Printmaking (OCAD)
1999 Dr. Eugene A Poggetto Scholarship—Printmaking (OCAD)
1999 Intermediate/Advanced Papermaking Award—Handmade Paper (OCAD)
1999 Diana Myers Book Award—Bookarts (OCAD)
1999 Peacock’s Hardware Prize—Surface Design (OCAD)
1999 Dr. Eugene A. Poggetto Award—Printmaking (OCAD)
1999 George A. Reid Award—Printmaking (OCAD)
1996 Advanced Printmaking Award, OCAD Printmaking department—Award for Proficiency in Contemporary Papermaking
Publications

Maclean’s Magazine, 25 March, 2013 – Waldorf-inspired Dolls
FiberArts Magazine, March/April 2008
Show Catalogue, Town Square Gallery Solo Show, Monika Aebischer – New Work, 2007

Miscellaneous
Owner and creator at The Olive Sparrow – maker of Waldorf inspired dolls, wet-felted goods, hand-dyed play silks and sewn items.
Juror, OKWA (Organization of Kingston Women Artist), 2009
Workshops at Meta4 Gallery, Port Perry, ON
Demonstration and “Play date” to Art Guild of Scarborough
Hosted “Play date” for members of SCA (Society of Canadian Artists)
Demonstration to SCA members at Arts and Letters Club (Topic: Working with Liquid Wax on Paper),
Workshops at Studio Six, Markham (Workshops included: Paste Papers; The Zen of Multi Media Collage)
Lectured to OCAD Material Arts and Design students, on the topic of preparing thesis body of work

Costume and Set Design
1999 Prop design and production for “Thieving”, a Riot House Production at Tim Simms Playhouse (Second City)
1997 Set design and production for “Thieving”, a Riot House Production for Summer Works Theatre Festival in Toronto, On
1996 Historical costumes and set designed and produced for “Tribute 1764”, an Ontario tourist Board and Dale Barnes Production at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons, Midland, On
1995 Historical Costumes designed and manufactured for “Officers 1893”, a Dale Barnes Production staged at the Marine Museum, CNE, Toronto, Canada (Officer jackets, Victorian gowns)