Gerda Amoraal

Details

Inductee: Gerda Amoraal

Year inducted: 2012

About:

Gerda was born in Den Haag, Netherlands in 1932. She moved to Toronto in 1953 and then to Niagara Falls in 1973. After many years of knitting and sewing for her children, she began studying the Fibre Arts. Gerda learned to weave in the 70’s and by the 80’s she had studied spinning, garment design for woven fabrics, weaving techniques, dying, needlepoint tapestry, and quilting. Gerda took a very extensive master spinners course and received her certificate. At that time, her special area of interest was in angora. She raised her own angora rabbits and became an authority on the subject.

She soon began sharing her expertise with others by teaching at Peterson Community Workshop, E.L. Crossley High School and Niagara District High School.

Gerda also volunteered and held numerous executive positions with the Niagara Handweavers and Spinners, Niagara Guild of Crafts, Rainbow Quilters and the Buffalo Weavers Guild.

Gerda’s works have received acclaim both locally and internationally. She is a multiple recipient of awards at juried shows in Ontario, she has been published in Spin Off Magazine, the Home Spun Hand Knit Book in the United States as well as other publications. Gerda had her works selected for exhibition in the Niagara Falls Museum and “The Design Store” by the Ontario College of Art while she was a part time student at the college.

After working in the Fibre Arts for many years, Gerda is still active in spinning and weaving and can be found sharing her many talents with young and old in the community.