ALBERTA CRAFT 35 YEARS OF CULTURE IN THE MAKING ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL QUARTERLY W I N T E R 2 0 1 5 15 ON 35 January 17 - March 28, 2015 From the Executive Director ALBERTA CRAFT THE MAGAZINE This issue of Alberta Craft This is also the year in which a lot of extra Magazine kicks off both energy will be dedicated to setting up a positive The Alberta Craft Council Magazine is published quarterly. the Alberta Craft Council’s future. For example, throughout the year, board, Submission Deadline for the Spring 2015 Issue: 35th anniversary and staff and general members will be working February 25, 2015 The Alberta Craft Magazine makes every effort to ensure Craft Year 2015. It’s hard toward opening the Alberta Craft Council’s the accuracy of the information contained herein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. to know which is more Calgary Gallery in 2016; on facility planning Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in the Alberta Craft momentous! with c-Space and the project architects, and on Magazine, or arising there from, are the responsibility of the It was January fundraising for the project. On page 3 check out parties involved and not of the Alberta Craft Council. 1980 that the founding progress on the $62.50 per square foot campaign. board of the Alberta Craft Council signed the If you haven’t contributed already, please do. incorporation documents. Soon after, they And if you have, why not do it again… to help ALBERTA CRAFT were able to assemble a $6500 budget. Your with the ACC’s next 35 years. Alberta Craft Council’s operating budget is now The other huge undertaking this year is COUNCIL about $800,000 – not a bad growth curve! And, Craft Year 2015. Back in 2002-03, a conversation Offices, Gallery & Shop although still only the fourth largest provincial emerged amongst the Canadian Crafts 10186-106th Street Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 1H4 craft council, your ACC is well-known as one of Federation and some of the Provincial Craft Office Information the most innovative and productive. I will speak Councils about developing a national craft Hours Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm for the entire current board and membership event. Chat soon turned to a forum in Montreal, Telefon (780) 488-6611 OR 1-800-DO CRAFT in thanking the founding board members: Les a conference in Toronto, or as a compromise (1-800-362-7238) Faximile (780) 488-8855 Manning, Jane Thomas, Jack Forbes, Pierre Guy, something in Ottawa. This prompted a collective E-Mail [email protected] Barry Morrison, Elizabeth Mould and Doug groan in places such as St. John’s, Halifax, Website www.albertacraft.ab.ca Motter, for their foresight and commitment. Saskatoon and Vancouver about another Alberta Craft Gallery and Shop There are more than 25 members from those “centrist” event trying to represent the entire Hours Monday – Saturday country. The Alberta Craft Council jumped in 10 am to 5 pm early years who are still active as practicing craft Open until 6 pm on Thursdays artists or supporters: Ross Bradley, Anne Brodie, with an alternative scheme, proposed by Simon (780) 488-5900 Karen Cantine, Sarabeth Carnat, Jim Etzkorn, Wroot, Charles Lewton-Brain and me, for a Staff Dee Fontans, Andreas Friderichsen, Michelle nation-wide festival of craft events. Although Executive Director Tom McFall, ext. 228 Gluza, Evelyn Grant, Marion Gravells, Carmen initially not popular in Quebec or Ontario, the Administration Manager Nancy St. Hilaire, ext. 234 Gallery Coordinator Joanne Hamel, ext. 221 Haakstad, Crys Harse, Patricia Hartnagel, concept took off with “the rest of the country” Membership Jessica Telford, ext. 221 Retail Gallery Coordinator Linda Frena, ext. 232 Linda Hawke, Martha Henry, Rae Hunter, Terry and Craft Year 2007 exploded to more than Craft Shop Staff Pat Aslund Juzak, Pirkko Karvonen, Jo-Ann Kohl, Charles 700 events, including 3 international craft JoAnna Lange Lewton-Brain, Brenda Malkinson, Les Manning, conferences in Canada. The main Alberta cluster Board of Directors Pamela Marriott, Liv Pedersen, Henry Schlosser, of CY07 events was organized in Calgary. ACC Chair Tara Owen, Calgary Directors Jenna Stanton, Medicine Hat Carol and Richard Selfridge, and Sandi Skakun. worked with ACAD staff and students on the Mary-Beth Laviolette, Canmore Edmonton Weaver’s Guild, Alberta Potter’s Invisible-Visible conference about craft career Victor Steel, Fort McMurray Kari Woo, Canmore Association, Medicine Hat Potters Guild, development, with the US Craft Organization Patti Hartnagel, Edmonton Dawn Detarando, Red Deer Parkland Potters Guild, Handweavers Spinners Directors Association’s annual CODA conference Jennifer Salahub, Calgary Meghan Wagg, Edmonton and Dyers of Alberta are among the long-time in Canada, and with various ACC members and Kai Georg Scholefield, Calgary Matt Gould, Red Deer member organizations. These people and guilds public and private galleries on 8 fabulous fine Brenda Malkinson, Edmonton all deserve our heartfelt thanks. A team of craft exhibitions, including the ACC’s All About Magazine Editor Nancy St. Hilaire Magazine Design Matthias Reinicke members and staff will be assembling a pictorial Alberta at the Nickle Arts Museum. Lime Design Inc. time line of the past 35 years. Look for this later Fast forward 8 years to the next iteration. Alberta Craft Council is a in the year on the ACC’s web site. Read page 4 for more about Craft Year 2015, not-for-profit organization dedicated A 35th anniversary isn’t just about including a small sample of 10 of the many to developing Alberta craft and the Alberta craft industry. celebrating history. The first Feature Gallery events taking place across the country. Visit exhibition of 2015 is called 15 on 35. This is an www.craftyear.ca for details, and to register Sponsors amazing collection of work by 15 members, a CY15 event or project. And, watch this ranging from long-time and to new, who have magazine, the ACC’s website, e-news and social written about their relationship with the ACC. media for announcements of CY15 events. They have some pretty insightful things to say about the past, current state, and future of both Tom McFall the Alberta Craft Council and the craft arts generally. See page 6 & 7. Reports From the Chair of the Board It’s that time of the year good number of earrings, and one of my favourite On the Cover again – time to look back and Lisa McGrath bunnies had gone home with a proud reflect. owner. In the past six weeks, In the third weekend in November, I checked I have attended a number out the new Lovecraft Gallery, on 17th Avenue SE. I of shows, open houses and was impressed by their lovely exhibition space, and openings. It certainly has took a peek into some of the studio spaces that this been a busy time in the group has set up. Run by two entrepreneurs (Tracy Calgary craft scene. Sutherland is an ACAD alumni), their mandate is In the middle of October I took my Mom-in-law to support local and emerging artists, and to reach to the New Craft Coalition show, in Inglewood. I was out to the community through workshops, events pleasantly surprised by how crowded it was, as and programs. These are noble and important goals well as the relatively young, urban demographic of – something that is in short supply for recent grads the audience. I had a chance to connect with Kari and those just starting out in the craft sector. Woo, chatted with Simon Wroot, and talked with On the same night as the Lovecraft Gallery Andrea Blais about her very classic work (as well as opening, we went to Art Market too. I guess it’s a Harvest Pendant, 2011 her clean display system). I also lingered for quite a good sign when there is no parking left at the site By Andrea Blais (Calgary) Argentium sterling silver while over a Laura Sharp mug. of the show, on a Friday night. I had a chance to see I started out November on the right foot by Simon Wroot again there. Simon’s pieces have fairly attending a Bee Kingdom open house. Again, a high price points, so he was pleasantly surprised Andrea Blais first developed her skills as an artist and goldsmith at the Alberta to have sold three pieces by only the second day. I busy event, with standing room only for the demos. College of Art + Design, where she There were people there asking questions about also talked briefly with Diane Sullivan (another ex- graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts process, and very interested in how the work is ACC board member), who mentioned that this Art with Distinction. Her work has been made. I assumed they were relatively new to the Market has been one of the best for sales in years. I featured in numerous exhibitions locally and internationally. Andrea’s work is world of craft, based on their questions, and was was very glad to hear that the artists were seeing a inspired by organic structures found in glad to see The Bees take quite a lot of time to really great response from Calgarians – not just in flora and fauna. Sophisticated, unique explain about their own work, but also about fine numbers of visitors, but in those buying fine craft. and instantly recognizable, Andrea’s craft and the larger craft community in general. You A common theme to all of these shows were the work draws the viewer in and captivates with timeless style.