"Spinning and weaving make me feel peaceful."

As part of the celebration of Pepper Street's 25th anniversary we profile some artists.

When Pepper Street Arts Centre opened 25 years ago Wilma Bajka-Van Velze was one of the first artists to exhibit. “A friend had an exhibition in Burnside Library and I was asked to join her, then they started Pepper Street 25 years ago. I became a volunteer and I have been here since,” Wilma says.

Wilma, 80, weaves wool and then uses a loom to create scarves, wraps, shawls and wall hangings.

She demonstrates her skills at Pepper Street every Friday, travelling from her Bridgewater home. “Spinning and weaving make me feel peaceful,” she says. “It is very satisfactory to start with a bag of wool and you finish up with a scarf or a jacket.”

Wilma does not teach as she explains. “English is my second language and as I get older I go back to my native language (Dutch) and I do not feel very secure to give lessons.”

She says Pepper Street has grown a lot over 25 years. “The quality of the art is a lot better now. I like the quietness and the friendliness of the staff. You come in and you feel already at peace.”

“I have to use my hands to feel good,” Wilma says. “Some days I don’t feel like weaving so I go out to the garden and use my hands there.”

“I love the atmosphere at Pepper Street – you come in and you feel alright, I hear this from a lot of people. It is just a beautiful place to be. And it is Sally and Ingrid and Alex, especially Sally,that make it so beautiful.”