THE home studio of Goldie Higgins, in Richmond Hill, is an explosion of creativity.
A kiln, clay, paint, brushes, spindles, weaving looms, beautiful creations – her own and those of her students – and many more crafts and tools surround me as I enter.
Higgins practises, as well as teaches, a variety of skills, from hand spinning wool, weaving, crochet and other needle crafts, to pottery, sculpting, painting, beading and printmaking.
Art has always been an integral part of Higgins’s life. This ability and aptitude for creating beautiful things runs in her family.
It was her parents who nurtured her passion for creating and her enthusiasm for acquiring craft tools and putting them to good use.
“My father was a wood carver. I remember looking at the sculptures and chisels and loving them. So I started collecting any and all craft tools.
“I’ve always been creative from as far back as I can remember. From, say age three, I was already drawing and painting little potato people with stick arms. My mum said they were great and stuck them all up on the wall. So I’ve never had any doubt that my work is amazing,” she says.
Her fascination with handcraft resulted in Higgins collecting these in bulk. As is typical of her generous spirit, she used her collection to start teaching groups of people.
Her love of art and the enjoyment she gets from working with people, served as a perfect combination for having become not only an innovative artist, but also a hands-on teacher.
Added to this winning combination, she identified the great need for artistic, practical skills for people on the autism spectrum.
“Many people on the spectrum are unable to get jobs in so-called ‘normal fields’ due to various reasons. But usually they are able to create something and enjoy doing it as well. They are able to produce things that could one day bring them an income that they otherwise would not have had.”
As any successful teacher worth her salt, Higgins is a creative problem solver.
“I try to see what a person enjoys doing and then I try to work out ways for them to work productively. I adjust things to suit different abilities.”
Throughout her career, Higgins had to be flexible, resourceful and had to adapt her talents and skills. She definitely is a lady to be reckoned with: one made up of dreams and action.
“Seven years ago I moved to Gqeberha and started working at Lake Farm Centre.
“There I took over the spinning and weaving department because they were in need of someone. I had never woven much before but I learned fast.”
Next year she is working on becoming involved with teaching people with special needs who have to leave school when turning 19.
Her artistic drive and enthusiastic curiosity about all things creative, which can be of benefit to others, shine like a beacon of optimism in her eyes.
