Steinbär Crafts
intuitive, painter + fine toy maker
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Heather Von
Steinhagen
artist of sorts
Heather “Von” is an artist of sorts, homegrown and based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She works part-time for the Canadian Crafts Federation as the Director of Operations and Digital Strategist while maintaining a busy artistic practice as an intuitive, painter and fine toy maker. Heather is curious about soulful connections and demystifying technology for artists and non-profits.
Born and raised in the landscapes of Whitehorse, Yukon, Heather (Von) Steinhagen is an intuitive, painter and fine toy maker. With roots in Cowessess First Nation (mother, Cree) and Germany (father, 2nd generation Canadian), Heather's work blends diverse cultural influences and a deep connection to her northern upbringing.
Heather's passion for creative innovation and community building drives both her artistic practice and professional endeavours. She holds a Visual Arts Diploma from Vancouver Island University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Community Arts Education, from Concordia University. Her educational background, combined with over a decade of experience in early childhood education and community arts, informs her unique approach to art and education.
As an artist, Heather is known for her vibrant use of colour and her ability to twist the mundane points of memory collected from all dimensions. Her work often explores themes of memory, identity, and connection, creating visual codes that resonate with a wide audience.
Heather exhibits her artwork regularly and notable projects include co-curating TETHER for the 2022 Arctic Arts Summit and the solo exhibition Made Up Memories at the ATCO Community Art Gallery. She also actively participates in community arts initiatives such as Indigenize Wikipedia (2018) and has spoken at events like Becoming a Working Artist (2021).
In her professional career, Heather has served as an Arts Administrator for the Yukon Arts Centre and Government of Yukon Tourism and Culture and is the former Executive Director of the Yukon Arts Society. Currently, she is the part-time Director of Operations and Digital Strategist for the Canadian Crafts Federation, where she continues to support and advocate for the arts community.
Heather’s northern upbringing taught her the value of synchronicity with nature, and her artistic journey is a testament to her commitment to meditative, creative discovery. In her downtime, she enjoys building websites, experimenting with graphic design, and advocating for the importance of early childhood education and lifelong learning.
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