A Mary Oliver poem asks, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
Orna Pascal is doing as much art as she possibly can.
Working by hand is at the heart of Orna’s practice. She creates baskets, quilts, textile constructions, collage, assemblage, drawing, and painting—finding joy in the slow, intentional transformation of materials into objects that are useful, meaningful, and alive with presence. Her colorful greeting cards, magnets, journals, and prints—born from painted papers and hand-lettered quotes—have been sold nationally and are available at the studio and directly from her.
Quilt making has become a central focus of Orna’s creative life, particularly through improvisational techniques that invite play, responsiveness, and storytelling through fabric. She is a member of East Bay Heritage Quilters, a guild dedicated to social justice and service, where collaboration and shared passion are as meaningful as the work itself.
As a basket maker, Orna works with a wide range of materials and textures, favoring simple, elegant forms. She experiences basket making as a deeply spiritual practice—one that connects her to an ancient tradition that continues to evolve. She is a member of Bay Area Basketmakers.
At Mare Island Art Studios, Orna is a cornerstone of both the creative and operational life of the studios. She serves in Senior Outreach, Administrative Support, Retail Manager, Secretary, and as part of the Gallery & Installation Team, while also acting as Show & Exhibit Producer for major exhibitions including the Spring Show and Fiber Arts Show. Her dedication, organizational care, and community-centered presence help sustain the studios as a welcoming, functional, and vibrant cultural space.
More of Orna’s work can be found at
www.ornapascal.com
