About the Olive Sparrow

The Olive Sparrow is Monika Aebischer, life‑long artist and creator.

Born in Switzerland. 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 45 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

  • 2014 Honourable Mention – Cabbagetown Arts & Crafts Festival
  • 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

Gallery Representation

  • Canvas Gallery, Toronto
  • Town Square Gallery, Oakville

Collections

Artworks are in private collections in Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Greece, Spain, Germany, and the USA; in corporate collections in Canada.

Publications

  • FeltFun, March 2016 – written article about collaboration with Little M Invention for FAT 2015 (wet felted garment collection)
  • 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

Costume and Set Design

  • 2014 Dolls for Shadowhunter TV show production
  • 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)

Miscellaneous

  • Seasonal instructor, Loyalist College, Belleville, Ontario (Summer session) 2012 – 2017
  • 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