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Alberta Craft Awards 2016
Alberta Craft Awards Celebration
2016 marks the 10th presentation of the Alberta Craft Awards. This year’s celebration will be held in conjunction with an evening symposium of the Canadian Crafts Federation annual conference. The celebration will be held at the Alberta College of Art + Design on Friday, October 14th. This year the Alberta Craft Awards will be presented alongside the CCF/FCMA’s National Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft after ACAD’s Visiting Premier Speaker, Shannon Stratton.
Mark Friday, October 14th on your calendars as the evening to meet and mingle with other craft artists and supporters from across the country.
Alberta Craft Awards Nominees
Early Achievement Award is in recognition of an emerging craftsperson/student for his/her achievement to date and/or potential. - $1000
Early Achievement Award Nominee:
Anna Burger-Martindale (Calgary, AB)
Nominated by Kari Woo
In 2014, Anna Burger-Martindale graduated from the Alberta College of Art + Design from the Jewellery + Metals department. Soon after graduating she moved to England where she attended Bishopsland Educational Trust and completed a postgraduate diploma in silversmithing. She recently moved back to Calgary to set up her studio. Anna creates functional silverware and jewellery based on traditional textile patterns and geometric designs. Anna’s work has been exhibited in Canada, the US and the UK.
"I am truly excited to see how this young artist’s path unfolds and do not hesitate in endorsing Anna’s talent and potential for a long lasting and impactful career in Alberta." - Kari Woo
Award of Excellence recognizes an established craftsperson who excels in his or her area of craft. - $1000
Award of Excellence Nominee:
Sarabeth Carnat (Calgary, AB)
Nominated by Catherine Yilato
“Sarabeth Carnat is a senior Canadian artist who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of fine metalwork. Her impact has been most significant in Alberta, where over the past thirty years she has inspired, guided and mentored generations of students as a faculty member at the Alberta College of Art + Design in Calgary. She also plays a vital role in the larger community, building an audience and support for fine craft through her work with non-profit organizations such as the Alberta Craft Council, the Calgary Jewish Academy, the Metalphoric Association of Metal Arts, the Society of North American Goldsmiths and a number of other award programs. She was the recipient of the Award of Honour from the Alberta Craft Council in 2012.
Sarabeth’s practice includes commissioned, conceptual and production jewellery. In addition to working with precious materials she also utilizes anodized aluminum and metal painting. Sarabeth’s work addresses beauty, comfort, ritual, and relationships from the personal (wedding rings) to the community (Judaica). She has received national and international recognition for her work which is found in private and public collections including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and The Canadian Bar Association.” - Catherine Yilato
Award of Excellence Nominee:
Brenda Malkinson (Edmonton, AB)
Nominated by Victor Steel
“Brenda Malkinson is a glass artist, woodcut print artist and educator. She attended the Alberta College of Art + Design, graduating with distinction in 1975. Due to her extensive fine craft skills, knowledge and expertise, Brenda has been favourably juried, collected, commissioned, acknowledged and awarded for over twenty-five years. In 2005, she received the Alberta Centennial Commission Award and was a recipient of the 2013 Edmonton Artist’s Trust Fund Award. Her recent creativity has resulted in exhibitions in Quebec and Japan and a solo exhibition of print and glass opening at Midtowne Gallery in Calgary this November. Brenda’s work has focused on large-scale contemporary glass installations. Her current work in glass and woodcut printmaking draws from intimate interpretations of natural forms integrating fragments of foliage, ancient iconography, colour gradations and patterns. Brenda’s work is in many public and private collections, including the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Massey Foundation, the University of Alberta, Mazankowski Heart Institute, CK Hui Heart Centre and the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.” - Victor Steel
Award of Excellence Nominee:
Kari Woo (Canmore, AB)
Nominated by Shona Rae
Kari Woo graduated from Alberta College of Art + Design in 2003, BFA (Honors) specializing in Jewellery + Metals. Kari has dedicated her professional and personal life to supporting the arts and fine craft movement, locally to internationally. Over the past 20 years Kari has made outstanding accomplishments in support of fine craft as a maker all while pursuing the role of gallery owner, organizer of a fine craft symposium, founder of craft collectives, lecturer, instructor and mentor.
Her distinct line of contemporary art jewellery aims to create substance and meaning through her signature understated and modern design aesthetic. Patrons know her work through two distinct collections of sterling silver jewellery that offer the wearer versatility, comfort and simplicity. Kari’s mixed media assemblages show a carefully considered design process with meaningful subject matter.
Kari’s work can be found across Canada and abroad through independent boutiques, galleries, trade shows and online. She has exhibited her jewellery work in galleries in the United States, Europe, South Korea and across Canada.
Award of Honour recognizes a volunteer, supporter, teacher, and craftsperson (individual or group) who has made a significant contribution to Alberta’s fine craft culture. - $1000
Award of Honour Nominee:
Dan Miller (Edmonton, AB)
Nominated by Jan Jagodizinski
For 45 years, Edmonton ceramic artist, Dan Miller has been teaching and mentoring students, sharing his love of ceramics and devotion to the craft process. Dan taught at Harry Ainley High School for nearly 20 years and he has become a legend amongst art teachers in the public school system. He has presented numerous workshops for Edmonton and district art teachers and he co-wrote their current ceramics curriculum. Since retiring he has continued to volunteer at both WP Wagner and Victoria School of the Arts and teaches through the City Arts Centre in Edmonton. His classes are in such demand that they fill up on the first day of registration. Dan has participated in many exhibitions including the Alberta Craft Council’s Language of Craft (2015), Continuum (2014) and Potworks (2013).
Award of Honour Nominee:
Trudy Golley, RCA (Red Deer, AB)
Nominated by Diane Kubanek
“As a teacher, Trudy honours her students and their journeys of material discovery, growing craftsmanship and artistic expression. Her knowledge of ceramic materials and processes is encyclopedic in scope. Trudy models excellence in craftsmanship in her teaching and her studio practice. During her fifteen years as Head of Ceramics Instruction at Red Deer College, Trudy has grown the Ceramics Program within the Visual Arts Department. She was instrumental in the design of the outstanding ceramic facilities at Red Deer College. Numerous students have found their passion for clay and art under her guidance and have gone on to become outstanding ceramic artists in their own right. Trudy is a sought-after workshop presenter, conducting workshops throughout Alberta and beyond. She has also delivered lectures, demonstrations, and presentations on more than sixty occasions across Alberta and in places as far away as Denmark, China and Australia. Recent examples are the two-day workshops Trudy delivered to guilds in Edmonton, Red Deer, Airdre and Lethbridge. Ever generous with sharing information, resources and enthusiasm, Trudy has mentored and influenced countless individual artists.” - Diane Kubanek
Award of Honour Nominee:
On the Spot Pop Ups (Edmonton, AB)
Nominated by Robin Light
This group of craft makers and supporters have worked tirelessly over the past few years to raise awareness of the excellence of Edmonton artists by promoting local talent. On The Spot Pop Ups organizers Marissa Loewen, Jasmin Smith and Michael Bavaro work with the locallymade community to organize amazing temporary art installations and creative made local shops.
“I know that thanks to their amazing support, I have had more opportunities and exposure than I could have dreamed of.” - Robin Light
Award of Honour Nominee:
Karen Gimbel & Chris Weingerth - Bluerock Gallery (Black Diamond, AB)
Nominated by Susan Kristoferson
“Karen and Chris have created an unusual and welcoming art space, an aesthetic refuge within southern Alberta. Bluerock Gallery is a beacon of creative light. It invites visitors to find a unique experience within the gallery walls. After seeing the work in the gallery, visitors often want (need) to share their experience with the gallery staff. The well trained staff is knowledgeable about the art and fine craft pieces and the artists who create them. All of this takes place because of Karen and Chris’ dedication as evidenced by the careful manner in which Karen selects and displays the artwork and fine craft and the aesthetic ambience that is created in the gallery daily. Bluerock Gallery represents over 200 Alberta artists. Bluerock Gallery is an active member of the community who engages their audience with regularly scheduled artist demonstrations and talks.” - Susan Kristoferson
Award of Honour Nominee:
Julia Reimer (Black Diamond, AB)
Nominated by Jamie Gray
Julia Reimer has been a dynamic force in studio glass in Alberta for many years, not only as a maker of excellent glass art but also as a key provider of learning and teaching opportunities and the advancement of all levels of young and emerging glass artists. For years Alberta glass artists, many who are graduates of the glass program at the Alberta College of Art + Design, have found their footing at Julia and Tyler’s studio, Firebrand Glass. There Julia has cheerfully mentored, often in her own rare spare time, those artists; encouraging them, training them, and promoting them.
“Julia is an integral part of the glass community in Calgary and beyond. She is a respected artist, collaborator and colleague. Julia has always been the kind of person who will put in that extra effort or go that extra mile for the benefit of the community. Whether it is through volunteering with fundraising events, creating employment opportunities for students, creating and maintaining glass hiring facilities, and running hands on classes to help the community get involved and appreciate glassblowing practices. Julia has always been part of the community and continues to care about the people in the community.” - Christine Cholewa
Linda Stanier & Family Memorial Award: This annual endowed award celebrates the life of Linda Stanier and honours excellence in ceramics. - $2000
Linda Stanier & Family Memorial Award Nominee:
JoAnna Lange (Edmonton, AB)
Nominated by Aurora Landin
“Known for her highly personal, whimsical and innovative sculptural works, elegant and beautifully crafted functional ware, and generous spirit in her teaching, JoAnna has been one of the most prolific and dedicated artists I have known. With an unrelenting drive to create, her work in the fine art realm always displays an exquisite finish and often black sense of humour and social commentary, which are keenly her own. And she brings this same eye for detail and craftsmanship to her functional ceramics. Through almost thirty years of developing and honing her various lines, JoAnna has built a dedicated following for these pieces through exhibitions and craft fairs across the Prairies.
As a teacher of ceramics, to those both new to the material and more advanced, JoAnna has instructed and inspired generations of potters. She has introduced not only the skills and mechanics of the process, but recognition of and dedication to, the pursuit of excellence in craft. She also teaches, by example, a love of the material and wonderful sense of play and excitement in possibilities.” - Aurora Landin
JoAnna Lange’s production line Stoneboat Pottery is a reflection of her rural Saskatchewan roots and celebrates the natural world through the use of colour and motifs. Sculptures, installations, and pottery all offer Lange a voice for her wit, wisdom, social observations while quietly showcasing her keen understanding of ergonomics and functional design.
