January/April 2019 - Alberta Craft Magazine

New and Renewing Members

NEW MEMBERS

Nicole Bourdon, Edmonton, Fibre

Judy Campbell, Calgary, Jewellery

Ghislaine Cleiren, Calgary, Teacher

Gudrun Dahle, Calgary, Fibre

Renee Fundytus, Lloydminster, Clay

Kate Hersberger, St. Albert, Mixed Media

Gail Humeny, Edmonton, Supporter

Don James, Calgary, Wood

Katherine Kerr, Edmonton, Supporter

Julia Kreuger, Calgary, Supporter

Sheida Lavasane, Calgary, Supporter

Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Visitor, Ceremonial & Security Services, Supporter

Colin Liden, Edmonton, Supporter

Rael Lockwood, Edmonton, Clay & fibre

Skye Louis, Calgary, Jewellery

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre, Calgary,

Organization

Matthew O’Reilly, Calgary, Ceramics

Joraan Overland, Edmonton, Metal

Melanie Schoenberger, Edmonton, Wood

Janet Smith, Edmonton, Fibre

Chandler Snidal, Calgary, Glass

Southern Alberta Woodworkers Society, Calgary,

Organization

Donna Spencer, Lacombe, Clay

Brenda Stanton, Redwater, Supporter

Studio 72, Edmonton, Organization

Ben Sures, Edmonton, Supporter

Ninetta Tavano, Edmonton, Supporter

Royal Bison, Edmonton, Organization

Melody Williamson, Calgary, Supporter

Stella Xu, Calgary, Supporter

Naomi Yamamoto, Vancouver, Leather

Yuan Yin, Calgary, Glass

RENEWING MEMBERS

Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts, Edmonton, Organization

Alberta Museums Association, Edmonton, Organization

Beaverlodge Area Cultural Society, Beaverlodge, Organization

Blain Askew, Grande Prairie, Wood

Carissa M.E. Baktay, Calgary, Glass

Robert Barclay, Spruce Grove, Clay

Laurie Blakeman, Edmonton, Supporter

Blaine Blinston, Edmonton, Metal-Jewellery

Franca Boag , Edmonton, Supporter

Paul Boultbee, Red Deer, Paper

Louise Cormier, Lethbridge, Clay

Bonita Datta, Rocky View County, Fibre

Marney Delver, Fort Macleod, Clay

Mallory Eagles, Calgary, Clay

Edmonton Potters’ Guild, Edmonton, Organization

Edmonton Weavers’ Guild , Edmonton, Organization

Native Arts & Culture Program, Portage College, Lac

La Biche, Organization

Jacki Flaata, Edmonton, Fibre

Trudy Golley, Red Deer, Clay

Cheryl Griffin, Edmonton, Fibre

Ben Henderson, Edmonton, Supporter - City of

Edmonton Councillor

Fay Hodson, Bragg Creek, Fibre

Sharon Hogg, Calgary, Wood, fibre & paper

Darcy Hoover, Edmonton, Fibre

Red Deer College, Red Deer, Organization

Tobla Howell, Calgary, Clay

Rae Hunter, County of Beaver, Mixed Media

Barb Johnston, Edmonton, Paper

Terry Juzak, Edmonton, Metal-Jewellery

Leanne Keyes, Red Deer, Glass

Heather Klimchuk, Edmonton, Supporter

Merv Krivoshein, Rocky Mountain House, Wood

Daniel Labutes, Calgary, Clay

Dorine Leitch, Beaumont, Clay

Sara Norquay, Edmonton, Fibre & Paper

Shona Rae, Calgary, Metal & Jewellery

Bill Reynolds, Edmonton, Metal & Glass

Shirley Rimer, Red Deer, Clay

Margaret Sanders, Edmonton, Supporter

Linda Strandlie, Edmonton, Supporter

Amanda Taylor, Calgary, Glass

Wendy MacDonald, Edmonton, Supporter

Deanna McGillvray, Canmore, Glass & ceramic

Patricia Meyer, Calgary, Clay

Margaret Sanders, Edmonton, Supporter

Amber Weasel Head & Jamie John, Lac La Biche,

Traditional Indigenous

Judy Weiss, Edmonton, Fibre

Laurie Wiles, Edmonton, Fibre

Julie Wons, Calgary, Wood

Ilonka Wormsbecker, Edmonton, Pressed flowers

RENEWING PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

Denise Ahlefeldt, Edmonton, Clay

Jackie Anderson, Calgary, Metal-Jewellery

Mindy Andrews, Calgary, Clay

John Blair, Calgary, Metal - Jewellery

C. Dana Bush, Calgary, Fibre, paper & wood

Karen Cantine, Edmonton, Metal - Jewellery

Albertine Crow Shoe, Brocket, Jewellery

Robin DuPont, Winlow, Clay

Mason Eyben, Vermillion, Wood

Marcia Fossey, Edmonton, Jewellery

Mike Fournier, Edmonton, Wood

Jennea Frischke, Calgary, Jewellery & Metal

Evelyn Grant, Calgary, Ceramics

Leah Gravells, Edmonton, Fibre

Robert Jakobsen, Nanaimo, Wood

Susan Kristoferson, Turner Valley, Fibre & paper

Diane Krys, Edmonton, Fibre

JoAnna Lange, Edmonton, Clay

Joan Matsusaki, Bragg Creek, Clay

Ron Maunder, St. Albert, Jewellery & Metal

Mynthia McDaniel, Calgary, Clay

Susan McKinnon, Medicine Hat, Clay

Benjamin Oswald , Edmonton, Clay

Christine Pedersen, Calgary, Metal & clay

Giselle Peters, Edmonton, Clay

Brenda Philp, Edmonton, Fibre

Brenda Raynard, Edmonton, Fibre

Ellie Shuster, Edmonton, Clay

Amy Skrocki, Edmonton, Leather, metal & wood

Susan Thorpe, Calgary, Clay

Barbara Tipton, Calgary, Clay

Nicole Tremblay, Canmore, Glass

Allison Tunis, Edmonton, Fibre

Allan Waidman, Calgary, Stone

Lisa Wilkinson, Yellowhead County, Clay

NEW PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

Tanya Everard, Calgary, Clay

Martina Lantin, Calgary, Clay

Amanda Parker, Calgary, Clay & Glass

Carlos Rojas, Montreal, QC, Clay

Susanah Windrum, Calgary, Metal & Mixed Media

ALBERTA CRAFT MAGAZINE

The Alberta Craft Magazine is published three times a year. Submission deadline for May-August 2019 issue: March 15, 2019

The Alberta Craft Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein but assumes no liability in cases of error of changing conditions. Any business relation or other activity undertaken as a result of the information contained in the Alberta Craft Magazine, or arising there from, are the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the Alberta Craft Council.

ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL

Main Office Edmonton: Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm

780-488-6611 OR 1-800-DO-CRAFT

E-mail acc@albertacraft.ab.ca

ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY - EDMONTON

10186 – 106 Street. Edmonton, AB, Canada T5J 1H4

Monday – Saturday 10am - 5pm

Open until 6pm on Thursday

780-488-5900

ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY - CALGARY

1721 – 29 Avenue SW, Suite #280

Calgary, AB, Canada T2T 6T7

Wednesday – Friday 11am - 5pm

Saturday 10am - 5pm

587-391-0129

STAFF

Executive Director - Jenna Stanton, ext. 228

EDMONTON

Operations & Exhibitions - Joanne Hamel, ext. 234

Communications & Marketing - Jessica Telford , ext. 221

Communications, Marketing & Member Services - Allison Lilly, ext. 221

Marketing - Victoria Sanchez, ext. 231

Gallery Shop Coordinator - Émilienne Gervais, ext. 232

Financial Officer - Wendy Arrowsmith, ext. 234

Retail Gallery Assistant - Felicity Bohnet

CALGARY

Retail Gallery Liaison - Corinne Cowell

Outreach, Events & Volunteers - Jill Nuckles

Retail Gallery Assistant - Melanie Archer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Tara Owen (Calgary)

Vice Chair Dawn Deterando (Red Deer)

Directors Mary-Beth Laviolette (Canmore), Dawn Saunders-Dahl (Canmore), Kari Woo (Canmore), Jennifer Salahub (Calgary), Meghan Wagg (Edmonton), Natali Rodrigues (Calgary), Kristofer Kelly-Frère (Calgary), Kayla Gale (Calgary, ACAD Student Liaison)

MAGAZINE

Editor : Allison Lilly

Contributors: Jenna Stanton & Joanne Hamel

Design: Victoria Sanchez

The Alberta Craft Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing Alberta Craft and the Alberta Craft Industry.

www.albertacraft.ab.ca

FUNDING AGENCIES & SUPPORTERS

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

It’s been a busy six months at the Craft Council since I took on my post as the Interim Executive Director. A big part of the position that often goes unseen is advocacy, and I definitely filled my quota this year. Before I started, the ACC had recently lost our casino license, which we had since 1990. The AGLC (Alberta Liquor and Cannabis) updated its policies in 2003, which new groups were being held to. In February 2018 the ACC was contacted by the AGLC review team who was reviewing existing groups to ensure they met the 2003 policy.

During our review, the AGLC amended their polices further (March 2018) without consultation or notice and reviewed the ACC under this new criteria. The ACC was found ineligible for a casino license 2 weeks before our May 3 – 4, 2018 casino. We took our case to the AGLC board for an official hearing in August but were still found ineligible. AGLC stated in writing they were holding the ACC to the newly written March 2018 policy and expecting two years of retroactive compliance/evidence, for hands-on programming with registration and other newly created policy.

In October we secured meetings with the Minister of Finance, Ministry of Culture, and senior staff from the AGLC who recognized the questionable implementation and policy. The ACC had to formally reapply for a license, but it is now reinstated, and we have casino dates set for June 20 – 21, 2019. The eligibility review team at the AGLC has been paused from further reviews of existing groups pending a review of their policy implementation and Charitable Gaming Policies handbook. The ACC and other organizations will be invited to consult, ensuring that these policies reflect the needs and mandates of the sectors they are meant to support.

This was a big victory for the ACC and for other groups in the province who rely on casino licenses as a part of operating funding. The one-year delay for a casino left us $40,000 short for this budgetary year, but we secured a Community Grant from the Edmonton Community Foundation to make up for this shortfall. We look forward to working with the ECF, as they have strong relationships with community leaders, private donors, and the organizations they support. In addition to the grant, an anonymous ECF donor chose to add their support to the ACC through a $5,000 contribution.

As it does, time has flown by in the past six months; from securing funding and creating a balanced budget, to a trip to Halifax and Lunenburg for the Canadian Crafts Federation Conference (you can read more about this on Page 20). As my term as Interim Executive Director is set to wind down, I have taken a long look at my career and am happy to continue on the path of my mentor Tom McFall, who jokingly told me when he initially stepped into the same role that he stayed on until he retired 19 years later. I am happy to announce that I have accepted the position of Executive Director at the Alberta Craft Council and look forward to the years ahead as our board and staff plan for the future and continue advocating on behalf of our talented artists, our supporters, and contemporary Craft culture in our province. A

Jenna Stanton Executive Director

On the cover: “Tony” by Liv Pedersen. Handwoven Wool, 2017. From Portraits, Alberta Craft Feature Exhibition. Photo provided by artist.

ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL EVENTS AROUND ALBERTA

ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY - EDMONTON

Feature Gallery

Portraits (Page 10 & 11)

January 26 – April 27, 2019

Exhibition Reception:

Saturday, January 26 from 2 – 4pm

Discovery Gallery

The Recipients (Page 14 & 15)

January 19 – March 2, 2019

Dawn Candy, Linda Chow, Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub & Allison Tunis.

Artist Talk & Reception:

Saturday, January 26 from 2 – 4pm

Lumina (Page 16)

March 9 – April 20, 2019

Carissa Baktay & Cathinka Mæhlum

Artist Reception:

Saturday, March 9 from 2 – 4pm

Art in Ubiquity

April 27 – June 8, 2019

Edmonton Weavers’ Guild 65th Anniversary

Artist Talk & Reception:

Saturday, April 27 from 2 – 4pm

YEG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Did you know the Alberta Craft Council is at the Edmonton International Airport?

The ACC features four vitrines per year, showcasing the work of members and delighting visitors.

From January to July 2019 find Benjamin Oswald’s slip cast ceramic work and a selection of stone carvings from On the Family Farm by Loretta Kyle,

ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY - CALGARY

home

January 19 – March 30, 2019

Artist Talk & Reception:

Saturday, February 2 from 2 – 4pm

Milk & Oil, Giselle Peters

The Surface of Things: Chasing Light, Brenda Malkinson

Because it never occurs to us that we cannot, Robin Lambert

April 6 – May 25, 2019

Artist Talk & Reception:

Saturday, April 27 from 2 – 4pm (Page 14)

Second Thursdays | Spotlight

Join us at cSPACE on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 5 – 8pm for a series of special events. Meet featured Spotlight artists and visit other open studios.

February 14: Leanne Keyes, Glass jewellery

March 14: Judy Sysak, Weaving

April 11 : Jill Allan, Blown glass

FAMILY FUN DAY!

Start your Family Day Weekend with a spark of creativity!

On Saturday, February 16, The Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary will treat families to hands-on craft activities. Make sure to bring your four-legged family members too! cSPACE is a dog-friendly building.

Saturday, February 16 from 10am – 2pm

Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary Free and Open to the public

CALLS FOR ENTRY

CALL FOR ENTRY: COMING UP NEXT | DEADLINE: MARCH 11, 2019

Exhibition Dates: Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery – Edmonton: June 15 – August 3, 2019

Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary: August 31 – November 2, 2019

The ACC is pleased to announce the revival of Coming Up Next; our national exhibition of emerging Fine Craft. Coming Up Next celebrates the creativity, innovation, and skill of emerging artists entering the field of contemporary Craft in Canada. The exhibition will be curated to feature a cross-section of Craft disciplines and is open to submissions from artists whose path to Craft may have began through apprenticeships, mentorships with elders, those who are self taught or who received a formal post secondary Craft education. If you are within the first five years of your career in Fine Craft or the last year of studies in a Fine Craft discipline, you are eligible to enter.

This national call is free to enter, with an online submission of up to five- images of work available for the exhibition dates. Works produced in any craft media: clay, fibre, glass, metal, wood, or any combination of craft media, and completed within the past two years will be considered.

This exhibition will launch at the Alberta Craft Council Discovery Gallery in Edmonton (Summer 2019) as part of Edmonton’s The Works Art and Design Festival. It will also travel to our Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary (Fall 2019).

CALL FOR ENTRY: CURATORS IN CONTEMPORARY CRAFT | DEADLINE: APRIL 5, 2019

Exhibition Dates: September 28 – November 9, 2019

Curators in Contemporary Craft is a new program to allow members to develop their curatorial skills as part of our ongoing efforts to create professional development opportunities for Craft artists and engaging exhibitions for our audiences. Expand your career in a supportive environment with access to mentorship from professional curators and organizers in the Fine Craft field. Are you sitting on an exhibition idea that you would like to bring to fruition but are unsure of the steps to take?

This is your chance to develop those skills needed to curate an exhibition with the support and experience of the Alberta Craft Council Exhibitions team. From start to finish, the ACC team will be there to guide you through the process; from honing your theme and concept, coordinating artists, developing press releases and promotional material, gaining skills in laying out and installing an exhibition, to writing an article for Alberta Craft Magazine. Curator will be paid a $500 honorarium.

CALL FOR ENTRY: ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY EXHIBITION PROPOSALS 2020 | DEADLINE: JUNE 1, 2019

The Alberta Craft Council is calling for exhibition proposals for the 2020 line-up at the Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery. It is going to be an exciting year as we begin programming for the ACC’s 40th Anniversary and Craft Year 2020, the nation-wide celebration of craft organized by the Canadian Crafts Federation and Provincial Craft Councils.

The Exhibition Team is looking for fully-developed exhibitions and themes that highlight mastery in craftsmanship, feature new work, push the boundaries of craft, and/or celebrate the achievements of our members. Our public exhibition galleries are dedicated to showcasing work by emerging, mid-career, and established craft artists. The proposals can be for individual or group shows. The Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery strives to present innovative and dynamic exhibitions that challenge perceptions and inspire the public to discover the best in contemporary Fine Craft. This 436 sq. foot gallery is located on the main level of the ACC’s Edmonton location and features 7 exhibitions per year, several of which travel to our Calgary Gallery. CARFAC fees will be paid to artists, approx. $848 Per ACC Discovery Gallery Solo Exhibition. Work can still be available for sale at the current 60% consignment to artists. Each exhibition is accompanied by an article in the Alberta Craft Magazine, invitations, online promotion, and an opportunity for an artist talk or interactive demonstration plus reception.

Visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca/opportunities for full details

Questions? Please contact Joanne Hamel, Exhibition Lead at joanne@albertacraft.ab.ca or 780-488-6611 ext. 234

IN THE NEWS

Alberta Craft Council members are active contributors to Alberta’s culture. Check out member events, exhibitions, and kudos here.

Kudos to ACC Professional Member Keith Walker who is featured in the 2018 Edmonton Made GIFTED Catalogue with his hand-blown glasses. Pick up your copy at the Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton today!

ACC Member Merv Krivoshein (Rocky Mountain House) was featured in the October/November issue of Canadian Woodworking & Home Improvement with his Diamond Pegged and Beveled Corners Box.

Alberta College of Art + Design’s (ACAD) Alumni Awards recognize the accomplishments of alumni who have earned local, national, and/or international prominence through outstanding professional achievements, artistic endeavours, or service to society. Kudos to ACC Professional Member Brenda Malkinson for receiving the Legacy Award of 2018.

ACC Member Carissa Baktay’s “I Fall Where You Weave” glass piece was nominated for the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Prize, which gives artists the opportunity to compete for a chance to exhibit at art gallery events across the U.S. and Canada.

ACC Professional Member Donna Brunner exhibited her Back Lit Jack Pine rug hung in the Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week from August 14 -18, 2018, the largest rug hooking event in North America. Donna’s work was chosen following its publication in the Rug Hooking Magazine’s Calibrations Publication.

ACC Professional Member Liv Pedersen’s weaving “Amazon” 10 cm x 10 cm was accepted into the International Biennial for Miniature Arts 2018 in Timisoara, Romania.

ACC Professional Member Allison Tunis was chosen as the Artist in Residence for 2018/2019 at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre. Allison was also the recipient of the 2018 Alberta Craft Early Achievement Award.

And a further congratulation to Allison and the Alberta Sex Positive Education & Community Centre for receiving a 2018 Community Arts Grant from the Edmonton Arts Council. Allison leads the guided art portion of the program, which is a 12-month pilot project of a monthly LGBTQIA2S+ youth art program and art exhibition to build community and capacity.

Are you a current member of the ACC and have news to share?

Whether it be involvement in an exhibition, event, or special project, email news@albertacraft.ab.ca to spread the word.

Travelling to Florida or Tennessee in 2019? Check out ACC Professional Member Mindy Andrew’s ceramic work in Material Mugs III, Underglaze at Companion Gallery in TN, USA and in Cup: The Intimate Object XIV at Charlie Cummings Gallery in Florida. Kudos to Mindy!

Congratulations to ACC Professional Member Kalika Bowlby for winning this year’s Western Living Magazine Designer of the Year, Maker category. Kalika’s work appeared at the Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary during Set the Table, a collaborative exhibition with fibre artist Natalie Gerber from August – November 2018. Photo by Jeff Yee.

ACC Professional Member Benjamin Oswald also won Western Living Magazine Award as the Maker to Watch.

Benjamin’s work was exhibited in Beyond Form & Function: The Ceramic Art of Benjamin Oswald at Harcourt House Artist Run Centre in September 2018.

The Alberta College of Art + Design’s Ceramics department in the School of Craft + Emerging Media hosted the 1000 Miles Apart Conference in September 2018. For three days, post-secondary ceramics students across Canada connected through exhibitions, presentations, and artist demonstrations, including an exhibition of participant work. Learn more at www.1000milesapart.ca

Kudos to ACC Professional Member Dawn Candy for her participation in the Archie Bray Foundation Artist in Residency program in Helena, Montana. Dawn’s work can be seen in The Recipients at the Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton. Read more about Dawn on page 15.

ACC Professional Member Matt Gould has created abstracted portraits of women based on words and artifacts supplied by them for his exhibition, Exemplars of the Feminine, at the Red Deer Museum. When seen in assembly, these upright portraits of women in wool, leather, cotton, linen, wood, and steel are reminiscent of trees in a clearing, maypoles, or memorials, each reflecting the nature and personality of the subjects.

Congratulations to Shona Rae for her exhibition of jewellery at the Nickle Gallery in Calgary. Rae's Re-Imagined Narratives is a collection of twenty-two narrative sculptural rings made using goldsmith techniques. Each is an imaginative representation of a fairy tale from western culture combined with one of the Higher Arcana from the tarot.

The exhibition was curated by ACC Member Michele Hardy, organized by Nickle Galleries, and accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with a critical essay by ACC Board Member Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub.

Read more about Shona on Page 22 & 23 where you can Meet the Maker.

ACC Professional Member Charles Lewton-Brain and ACC Member Axel Bernal Bladh, were featured on “The Curse of Oak Island” on the History Channel. On the featured episode, brothers Rick and Marty Lagina began the biggest and most expensive operation ever undertaken in the 223-year-long treasure hunt where they finally struck gold. The treasure hunters headed to the Alberta College of Art + Design, where they met with the gemologist and master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain and his assistant Axel Bernal Bladh. Charles examined two brooches and shared his shocking and exciting findings.

Learn more about the show at www.history.ca/the-curse-of-oak-island

Three Cheers for Volunteers!

The Alberta Craft Council celebrates our volunteers and joins in National Volunteer Appreciation week from April 7 – 13, 2019. Particularly in our new space in Calgary, we have benefited tremendously from the generosity of over 700 volunteer hours in the past year. From our remarkable photographer in Calgary, Jeff Yee, our dedicated Saturday gallery attendants in Calgary, those who help with special events like Alberta Culture Days, the 2018 Alberta Craft Awards, and our Board of Directors, the ACC would cease to exist without your dedication and generosity. Thank you!

An additional thank you to those artists, members, and participants of Alberta Culture Days in October. For two days, the Alberta Craft Galleries were filled were artists demonstrating, new audiences learning all about Fine Craft, and countless smiling faces. With hands-on learning our audiences experience a meaningful interaction with our artists and the material, helping the ACC develop new audiences and a deeper appreciation and connection to Craft.

Stay tuned for....

In the new year we’ll host our Volunteer Appreciation Parties in Edmonton and Calgary.

In the next issue of Alberta Craft we’ll keep on cheering for our community of volunteers.

Interested in volunteering with the Alberta Craft Council in Edmonton or Calgary? Email volunteer@albertacraft.ab.ca for more information.

Photos by Jeff Yee and Victoria Sanchez.

Pictured (both pages): Members, supporters, and volunteers in action at various Alberta Craft Council events.

Getting in the Spirit of the Holidays at ‘Twas the Night - Edmonton

21st Birthdays call for a party, and this year, our event sponsors, foot-stomping band, and party-goers delivered on Saturday, December 1!

We changed things up a little, introducing a silent auction as well as our usual split ticket draws, and welcoming Chelsey pouring drinks for Strathcona Spirits and Carl serving lager for Yellowhead Brewery. The Misery Mountain Boys serenaded guests with their unique brand of swing music as friends old and new gathered for our annual fundraising party. Prairie Catering provided charcuterie, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts a plenty for guests. Thanks to City Councillor and long-time ACC supporter Ben Henderson who brought greetings on behalf of the Mayor, Don Iveson.

Thank you to the following members who donated items for the split ticket draws and silent auction: Nicole Coursen, John Blair, Todd Safronovich, Darcy Gusse-Edinga, Christina Koscielnuk, Annette ten Cate, Sam Knopp, Soma Mo, Tammy Parks-Legge, and Natalie Gerber. And thank you to our friends at Shumka Dance, Continental Treat Bistro, Plaza Bowling Co., Alberta Food Tours, Alberta Ballet, and Catfish Coffee for their contributions. A special shout out to the Station on Jasper Avenue for donating munchies for our volunteers!

We’re grateful to our stellar team of volunteers who wrapped, who washed, and who helped make the evening a success. Thanks to Loreen Riley, Shirley Serviss, Shirley McLaren, Darcy Hoover, Kim Lilly, Kathy Lilly, Dan Miller, Shannon Nelson, Maddi Lakey, Brenda Raynard, Patti Hartnagel, Brenda Malkinson, Linda McBain Cuyler, David Cuyler, Jared Majeski, Debra McLean, Ruta Nichol, Andrea Itzeck, Alice Oelofse, and Jolene Fennema. Thanks to our steadfast Edmonton staff: Jessica Telford, Joanne Hamel, Jenna Stanton, Victoria Sanchez, Émilienne Gervais, Felicity Bohnet, Wendy Arrowsmith, and Allison Lilly as well as Board Member Meghan Wagg.

Let It Snow? Oh, it Snowed.

Calgary

We had many guests wondering why the ACC chose to title our Calgary fundraising party as ‘Let It Snow’, because boy, oh boy, was the snow coming down on Saturday, November 24. But despite the weather, members and guests bundled up and made it down to cSPACE to celebrate the season and help raise funds for the Alberta Craft Council.

Thank you to Matthew from Wildlife Distillery for providing refreshments for guests and Chef Candice Allen and her crew of My Kitchen who prepared excellent eats. Erin Ross serenaded guests while they shopped ‘til they dropped and selfie-d with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and an elf courtesy of Larry, Susan, and Annie! Thank you to François and cSPACE as well.

Thank you to the following members who donated items for the split ticket draws: Suzette Knudsen, Barbara Rumberger, Natalie Gerber, Milt Fiscbein, John Blair, Mandy Parchin of Glass House Xperience, Luke Weiser, Liv Pedersen, Dawn Candy, and Lisa McGrath.

A huge thank you to our volunteers, who without we would not be able to host our events: Jill Bazant, Aileen Beninger, Louise Brud, Sharon Clarke, Judith Cordner, Todd Duquette, Zoe Duquette, Janet Orpen, Barbara Rumberger, Michael Saroka, Anna Scherger, Derek Scherger, Lynda Snider, Darlene Swan, Luke Weiser, Elizabeth Wharton, Tracy Wharton, Esther Worsley, and Simon Wroot. Thank you to our volunteer photographer, Jeff Yee, whose photos grace the pages of this publication, as well as our social media and web pages. And finally, thank you to our dedicated staff in Calgary: Corinne Cowell, Jill Nuckles, and Melanie Archer and our board members in attendance: Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub, Kris Kelly-Frère, Tara Owen, Mary-Beth Laviolette, and Natali Rodrigues. A

Together, shop sales for the evening amounted to $12,907 and we were able to raise over $5,200.

On its base level the portrait can convey the likeness of a person in physicality, personality, or even mood, but when the call was sent out nation-wide, we knew that craft artists would dive even deeper. Portraits features the work of 35 Fine Craft artists from across Canada, emerging to established, who share stories of family, culture, place, being, and belonging through their work. From the traditional weaving by Liv Pedersen featured on the cover, to Micah Adams’s intricate metal work involving the delicate manipulation and reconstruction of coins from around the world, this exhibition delves into the broader definition of the portrait.

“Family Tree” celebrates small, everyday moments and childhood memories that define an individual. Edmonton hot glass artist Todd Safronovich has created a set of nine hand-blown glasses, each featuring an enamelled portrait of a family member, from both his family and his wife’s. Todd and Kathy remember as children visiting their grandparent’s places and always asking for a particular glass to use each time they sat down for dinner. This set assembles a family portrait with all of the members pictured at an age when something as simple as an image on a glass can evoke imagination.

Amy Gogarty speaks to place. In her ceramic assemblages, “Urban/Nature 1 & 2”, she creates portraits of Vancouver revealed through artifacts and individuals who comprise her everyday experiences. The heads are based on young people she observes in coffee shops, on the street, or in parks, where their colourful hair and elaborate tattoos speak to their optimism and joy in life. She sees them as sorts of genii loci, or protective spirits of the place. Having taught art and ceramic history at ACAD for 16 years, Amy’s practice is rich in craft history.

From quirky self-portraits to special memories of loved ones and iconic personalities, this exhibition is as diverse as each person or place that is depicted. Portraits explores issues around love, acceptance, mental health, self-expression, to that of the environment, of death, and celebrating life and all that it holds. Not to be missed, this exhibition will be presented in both Edmonton and Calgary in 2019 and surely connect with all who visit. A

Family Tree. Todd Safronovich, 2018, Enamel, blown-glass, silver leaf. At Risk. Kasie Campbell & Ginette Lund, 2017, Yarn, batting, thread.

Raja. Nicole Coursen, 2018, Needle-felted wool. Roosevelt Mountie Micah Adams, 2017, Cupronickel, nickel. Urban/Nature 1. Amy Gogarty, 2018, Cone six stoneware. 0395-0043. Jessie Fraser, 2018, Silk, wool, linen - jacquard weaving. Self-Portrait Brian McArthur, 2015, Clay, oil pastels. Adaptation Series. Carlos Rojas. Ceramic.

PORTRAITS

Alberta Craft Feature Gallery – Edmonton

January 26 – April 27, 2019

Artist Reception:

Saturday, January 26 from 2 - 4pm

Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary

June 1 – August 24, 2019

Artist Reception:

Saturday, June 1 from 2 - 4pm

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Micah Adams (Toronto, ON)

Alyssa Becker-Burns (Edmonton)

Linda Brine (Kitchener-Waterloo, ON)

Kasie Campbell & Ginette Lund (Edmonton)

Nicole Coursen (Edmonton)

Brenda Danbrook (Opal)

Margie Davidson (Qualicum Beach, BC)

Zou Desbiens (Quebec City. QC)

Dawn Detarando (Red Deer)

Pamma FitzGerald (Calgary)

Jessie Fraser (Calgary)

Amy Gogarty (Vancouver, BC)

Adele Goodwin Keleher (Edmonton)

Matt Gould (Red Deer)

Leah Gravells (Edmonton)

Sharon Rose Kootenay Cherweniuk (Vilna)

Brian McArthur (Red Deer)

Susan McKay (Edmonton)

Gillian Mitchell & Crystal Bennett (Calgary)

Sara Norquay (Edmonton)

Dan Miller (Edmonton)

Matthew O’Reilly (Milton, ON & Calgary)

Liv Pedersen (Calgary)

Jean-Claude & Talar Prefontaine (Calgary)

Karen Rhebergen (Whitecourt)

Carlos Rojas (Montreal, QC)

Todd Safronovich (Edmonton)

Adele Schatschneider (Calgary)

Ellie Shuster (Edmonton)

Amy & Tanner Skrocki (Edmonton)

Allison Tunis (Edmonton)

THE RECIPIENTS

Celebration, applause, and warm hearts abound at the Alberta Craft Award Celebration held in October 2018 at cSPACE. Surrounded by members, nominees, friends, staff, and volunteers, Executive Director Jenna Stanton led the celebration honouring this year’s Award recipients. The presentation included a special video message from former Executive Director, Tom McFall, as well as Mayor Naheed Nenshi from Calgary.

Congratulations to the award recipients of 2018; we are fortunate to have a vibrant, diverse group of women representing the best of Alberta Fine Craft this year.

Top: Tara Owen (left) and Tom McFall Honour Award Recipient Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub (right).

Middle: Linda Chow receives her Excellence Award amongst members and guests.

Bottom: From right: Executive Director Jenna Stanton, Tom McFall Honour Award Recipient Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub, Board of Directors Chair Tara Owen, Excellence Award Winner Linda Chow. *Award Recipients Allison Tunis & Dawn Candy not in attendance.

Photos by Jeff Yee

Visit the Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery in Edmonton to see work on display and learn more about the contributions of these individuals.

Linda Chow Excellence Award

Born and educated in Hong Kong, Linda came to Canada to attend ACAD, where she studied with eminent jewellery artist Harold O’Connor. Both a talented goldsmith and a fierce entrepreneur, Linda combined these talents as co-owner of The Benchmark Goldsmith Ltd. and later the Simply Metal Studio in Calgary. She has also co-founded Art InformAll, a group where artists of different disciplines meet and share their knowledge and interests. Her multifaceted career makes her worthy of the Excellence Award, given to an established craftsperson who excels in his or her area of craft.

Not only does Linda craft superbly balanced jewellery using traditional goldsmithing techniques, she takes seemingly unremarkable objects and breathes new life into them. By using salvaged materials, Linda exemplifies her philosophy that balance in life is essential.

Jennifer Salahub

Tom McFall Honour Award

The Tom McFall Honour Award, previously called the Honour Award, represents Tom’s lifework as a true visionary and 20+ years working with and advocating for Fine Craft artists as the Alberta Craft Council’s Executive Director. This award is given to a volunteer, supporter, teacher, or craftsperson who has made a significant contribution to Alberta’s Fine Craft culture. This year’s recipient is Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub, ACC Member, Board Member, ACAD Instructor, sloyd-enthusiast, and published writer, whose lifelong accomplishments are difficult to condense.

As a professor, Dr. Salahub introduces historical, theoretical, and critical issues to studio practice and her research has been directly incorporated into ACAD curriculum. Dr. Salahub’s research interests include Craft History, the Studio Craft Movement, 19th and early 20th century craft in Canada, domestic textiles, and sloyd (or handicraft-based education). Her latest project, “One Hundred Years: A History of Craft at ACAD,” was recently on display at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery in Calgary.

Read an excerpt of Jennifer’s catalogue essay “Shona Rae: A Ring of Truth” on Page 22.

THE RECIPIENTS

Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery – Edmonton

January 19 – March 2, 2019

Artist Talk & Reception: Saturday, January 26 from 2 – 4pm

Allison Tunis Early Achievement Award

The Early Achievement Award was granted to Allison Tunis, community activist, mixed-media artist, and body positivity advocate. Given to an emerging craftsperson/ student in recognition of their achievement to date and/or potential, Allison’s craft work and community outreach in Edmonton embody achievement.

Allison works mainly in cross-stitch embroidery, but also explores mixed media involving acrylic painting and photo transfers. Her pieces question our society’s obsession with aesthetic beauty, restrictive beauty standards, and body conformity, while exploring her own struggle with body image and a hunger for more diverse representation. Issues of feminism and intersectionality, diversity in media representation, and social constructions of beauty all influence Allison’s work as an artist.

Allison also runs the Queer Youth Art Club where she facilitates workshops for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and allies to create art in a safe and inclusive space.

Dawn Candy

Linda Stanier and Family Memorial Award

The Linda Stanier and Family Memorial Award, an endowment award that celebrates the life of Linda Stanier and honours excellence in ceramics, has been awarded to Dawn Candy, a community-minded visual artist residing in Red Deer, AB.

Dawn makes pottery that concerns change: growth, erosion, order and disorder. Inspired by pattern and by landscape, her pieces often reference natural theatre like wind-whipped grasses, turbulent skies, or melting ice and snow. Dawn observes wild to cultivated flora and strives to capture the season changes and endured stresses from the sun and wind, creating intricate visual patterns as they drift and twist according to the weather.

From her University of Lethbridge BA to Diploma from Red Deer College, Dawn’s commitment to learning has never wavered: she is also an instructor for the City of Red Deer Culture Services and recently completed a Ceramics residency at the Archie Bray in Montana. For years, Dawn has taught at MagSparks, a community visual arts program tailored for persons with developmental disabilities. A

ALBERTA CRAFT GALLERY - CALGARY

HOME

MEDALTA’S ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

January 19 – March 30, 2019

Artists come from all over the world to work in Medalta’s studios, bringing their unique experiences, techniques, and ideas to the Historic Clay District. This exhibition celebrates the artists who have decided to make Medicine Hat their home after completing their residency and the cultural impact this influx of artists with international careers has brought to the community of Medicine Hat.

Participating Artists: Les Manning, Aaron Nelson, Liz Burritt, Jenn Demke-Lange, Jason Lange, Jim Etzkorn, Xanthe Isbister, Koi Neng Liew, Annette ten Cate, Noriko Masuda, and Susan McKinnon. Curated by Jenna Stanton.

Artist Talk & Reception: Saturday, February 2 from 2 – 4pm

MILK & OIL GISELLE PETERS

April 6 – May 25, 2019

Giselle Peter’s ceramic work highlights the childish behaviour of the adult world and speculates about the long-term effects of our enterprises, mainly war, nationalism, consumerism, propaganda, and the food industry. From delapidated chickens to children fighting over toys, these sculptures consider the motivating mechanisms of money and power in a markedly facetious tone.

Giselle Peters is a maker of both functional pottery and figurative sculpture and uses the forms of children and toys as tools for social commentary. With a background in Ceramics and Psychology, she participated in research for the creative arts in human development and worked in a supportive capacity in the field of brain injury and developmental disabilities.

THE SURFACE OF THINGS: CHASING LIGHT BRENDA MALKINSON

April 6 – May 25, 2019

Using a combination of vitrified glass and woodblock prints, Brenda Malkinson captures isolated ‘snapshots’ of passing time. The organic forms and undulations present in this body of work suggest the metaphorical bodies of water, representations of the flow of time, and ever-changing, yet consistent wholes.

Brenda has maintained a dedicated studio practise and teaching schedule for over forty years alongside family and volunteering in the community. Her sketches, observations, as well as kayaking and swimming informs her art practice and inspires strong parallels of light and colour of the prairie landscape she calls home.

BECAUSE IT NEVER OCCURS TO US THAT WE CANNOT ROBIN LAMBERT

April 6 – May 25, 2019

Living in Red Deer, interdisciplinary ceramic artist Robin Lambert has directly seen the influence of Alberta’s boom and bust cycle. From the impact on industry to that of housing in the suburbs, Robin’s exhibition explores growth and the need to build even when the layers below are crumbling.

Both an artist and an educator, Robin’s work is often a simple day to day activity - daydreaming, napping, letter writing, or sharing dinner, for example. Art is more than objects, ideas, or actions in a gallery. For Lambert - art is offering something; it is being empathetic towards the audience and through the audience, the world. A

Artist Talks & Reception: Saturday, April 27 from 2 – 4pm

These exhibitions were previously displayed in Edmonton and are now travelling to Calgary. Full articles about each exhibition can be found in the Alberta Craft May-August 2018 (Peters & Malkinson) and September –December 2018 (Lambert) issues online. Visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca/magazine-publications to access the digital copy.

LUMINA

LUMINA

CARISSA BAKTAY & CATHINKA MÆHLUM

Alberta Craft Discovery Gallery - Edmonton

March 9 - April 20, 2019

Artist Talk & Reception: Saturday, March 9 from 2 - 4pm

For every crisp, bright snow day in winter, there is an early-evening sunset. For every picturesque snowcapped mountain, there is a blizzard accompanied by frigid cold and darkness. As breath-taking as snow can be, the extreme environments that accompany winter can be equally devastating. The contemporary glass work by Carissa Baktay (Calgary, AB) and Cathinka Mæhlum (Lofoten, Norway) provides a beacon of beauty and serene, uplifting light during the darkest time of the year. Lumina is the connection between light and dark and for these two artists, a representation of their experiences in winter’s darkness, whether in Canada or Norway.

Carissa and Cathinka met at a snow and ice sculpting competition in Norway and continued to work together in Mæhlum`s Lofoten Glass Studio. Here she was afforded the time and space to return to a practice alternate to her conceptual work that instead caters to a desire to create beautifully-designed and easilyaccessible glass objects. Through her work in Norway, she has explored using wood molds and blocks in the shaping of glass exploring traditional Scandinavian techniques and gaining a new understanding of movement and heat in thicker, more massive glass works. Cathinka’s practice involves drawing on the natural elements surrounding her and navigating the border between functional and sculptural.

Carissa Baktay is a sculptor from Canada and a graduate of the Master of Glass Art and Science at VICARTE in Portugal. Working with glass since 2008, Carissa earned a BFA in Glass

from ACAD and studied at The Rhode Island School of Design. Since her introduction to glass, she constantly tries to accumulate new experiences that renew her complex relationship with the material. Recently Carissa attended several residencies in Iceland, Finland, and Norway. An instinctual maker, her contemplative process-based work is an attempt to understand and to make physical her interpretation of the world around her.

Cathinka Mæhlum has worked as a glass artist since 1996, owning and operating her own studio for much of that time. The Nordic landscape is a given source of inspiration. Impressions that she finds in nature are interpreted and recreated in stunning and simple glass objects. During parts of the winter season, Mæhlum works as a professional snow and ice sculptor in Norway and internationally. A

Thank you to the Norwegian Arts Council for generously shipping the work from Norway to Canada. Carissa Baktay gratefully acknowledges the support of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

Fresh water pearl strand, Sarabeth Carnat, $450 - $795

Everyday Spoon, Charred maple spoon, Andrew Glazebrook, $32

Ammonite Fossil & Sterling Silver Ring, Karen Cantine, $600

Soda-fired ceramic cup, Mynthia McDaniel, $40

Moon Scape Ring, 10K gold ring, Wayne MacKenzie, $1125

Face Chased, 14K chased gold, Charles Lewton-Brain, $1200

COVETED CRAFT

If we are defined by the things we choose to surround ourselves with, we must covet responsibly.

Embrace hand-made, locally-made, wellmade, meaningful, and beautiful Fine Craft. A

Ceramic vase, Sam Knopp, $110 Octavia, midi, Concrete vessel, Concrete Cat, $220

Ceramic cereal bowl, Sam Uhlick, $40 Nail Series, Sterling silver pin, Anna Burger-Martindale, $115

As a new digital initiative, the Canadian Crafts Federation has worked tirelessly to bring listeners the Citizens of Craft podcast. Each 45-minute episode delves into the stories behind the makers with interview questions posed by Canadian Crafts Federation Director, Maegen Black, and brings together the voices of craft artists, curators, educators, and collectors who speak off the cuff about craft practice and its role in their lives.

These guest speakers are, truly, ‘Citizens of Craft’. They are masters in their own right, chasing techniques that have been in use for thousands of years or exploring new technologies that push the boundaries of Craft. They appreciate and create objects with meaning, history, and purpose - rejecting the mass manufactured lifestyle of our time to capture something more authentic. A

Check out the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, or wherever you enjoy listening.

Episode One: ACC Professional Member & Board Member

Kari Woo and Sandra Alfoldy

Episode Two: Heather Igloliorte and Michael Massie

Episode Three: Hilary West and ACC Professional Member & Board Member Natali Rodrigues

Episode Four: Monika Kinner-Whalen and Seema Goel

Episode Five: Peter Powning and Clayton Windatt

Be the voice of contemporary craft.

ACAD’s MFA in Craft Media offers the opportunity to experiment and explore materials, processes, technologies, critical discourse and theory through creative inquiry that will expand and challenge perceptions of contemporary craft.

Studying at ACAD means joining a community of people who are passionate about creativity.

Discover more at acad.ca/MfA

AlBertA College of Art + Design

Unveiling a new University name and identity in early 2019.

To learn more about the Citizens of Craft movement, visit www.citizensofcraft.ca

Rob FRoese, Detail FRom “measuReD Composition”, 2018

This project is made possible through extensive partnership with voicEd Radio and the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

A podcast exploring “the objects we love, the reasons we love them, and the people who bring them to life.”

Feature Artist: Donna Spencer

CANADIAN CRAFTS FEDERATION CONFERENCE

The Canadian Crafts Federation works with Craft Councils and affiliate organizations across Canada to unite, enrich, empower, and celebrate the professional contemporary craft sector. The National CCF Conference explored “Placemaking: The Unique Connection Between Craft, Community + Tourism” and took place in October 2018, with three distinct sessions across Nova Scotia.

The pre-conference tour took visitors across Cape Breton, where the winding highways seemed regularly dotted with roadside artists’ studios and charming towns, with stops including: Customs House Craft Incubator, Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design, Louisbourg National Historic Site, and The Royal Gaelic College. The highlight of the tour was the work being done by the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in Sydney, with incubator and community studios, a gallery, and shop. They also have exciting outreach projects from artists in residence with national parks to rural craft incubator studios. Customs House, their newest project in partnership with the town of Port Hawkesbury, saw a historic building renovated into a craft incubator with a gallery, shop, and studios. The seven emerging artists-in-residence have access to fully equipped studios in textiles, clay, and jewellery, and benefit from subsidized studio rent, Craft business development, mentorship, and opportunities to take their craft to market.

Lori Burke, Executive Director, spoke of their projects that support craft artists creating viable business and the government’s willingness to fund new rural spaces to bring artists to small town Cape Breton. Residents are responsible for running the gallery/gift shop, teaching classes, and focus on making their work and supporting themselves in their creative pursuits. The project, part of an interprovincial migration strategy, aims to retain these artists in the province long after their residency comes to an end.

The Conference began in Halifax, where the CCF partnered with the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective’s National Gathering

of Indigenous Artists and Curators. Keynote Speaker Ursula Johnson connected the two audiences with humor and created space to share an intimate performance from Polaris prize winning musician Jeremy Dutcher from Tobique First Nation.

Panels and discussions explored the theme of Placemaking, highlighting potential roles of contemporary craft culture in strengthening and encouraging community development. By exploring the positive impact of craft practice on both physical and virtual communities, speakers shared information on craft’s role in enhancing sense of belonging, understanding, and appreciation of community members, leading to happier, healthier, more positive social interactions.

I was fortunate to be invited as Keynote to open the Saturday conference sessions, sharing two of my passions: Craft and Placemaking, a journey which began when I lived at Edmonton’s Arts Habitat over 15 years ago. My continued research on Creative Placemaking involves studying and visiting successful models, collecting tool kits and best practises that can be adapted to strengthen arts organizations and integrate them more impactfully into the broader community.

Day Three saw attendees travel to the culturally rich and picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg. Sessions were held in the Lunenburg School of the Arts, founded in 2013 by retired long serving Canadian senator Wilfred Moore, who has helped grow the Nova Scotia arts sector by spearheading the NSCAD University and Town of Lunenburg Residence/Studios Program.

Feature speaker Senator Patricia Bovey, art historian and museologist, gave a moving speech on the importance and economic impact of the Arts in Canada and the work she is doing to advocate for the Arts in the Senate. You can read Senator Bovey’s full speech on the Alberta Craft blog. The Conference wrapped up with a Lunenburg studio tour to a few of the locally and internationally renowned

by Jenna Stanton, Alberta Craft Council Executive Director

artists, Joan Bruneau and Doug Bamford, to the historic harbour workshops.

The Conference is not only a great opportunity to see the craft sector in another part of the country, it’s affirming to travel among craft artists and peers from Craft Councils from across the country. It is often at the dinner table or on the bus between stops that there is time and space for longer conversations about what is happening in Craft in different parts of the country and the ability to share ideas, successes, tribulations, brainstorms, and laughs that strengthen our resolves and sector.

While the 2019 conference may be internal to give Craft Councils time to meet and plan for the upcoming Craft Year 2020, a nationwide celebration of Craft, Conference plans for 2020 are underway and will take place in Bona Vista, Newfoundland. For information on the conference, opportunities, and calls for artists visit www.craftattheedge.com

ROBERT JEKYLL AWARD

The Conference included celebrating the 2018 Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft, which honours distinguished contributors to the craft sector and is one of the highest markers of exceptional commitment to the development of the craft community in Canada.

Two recipients were celebrated for this year’s award, who have each spent long careers supporting craft and its makers across the country. Both also played integral roles in forming and developing the CCF into the influential and vibrant organization that it has become.

Tom McFall (Alberta Craft Council) and Anne Manuel (Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador) have both recently retired from long years of service as Executive Directors. The CCF is delighted to take the opportunity this

year to acknowledge and celebrate their stellar contributions to the national craft community.

Tom McFall spent 19 years as the Executive Director and curator of the Alberta Craft Council, now recognized nationally for having an extensive exhibition program, running innovative marketing projects, initiating and leading national events, and enjoying a high level of member satisfaction.

“Tom was always at the forefront of fine craft on the provincial, national, and international stages,” says Tara Owen, Chair of the Board, Alberta Craft Council. “The more that I came to know Tom, the more I valued the insight and leadership that he provided to everyone within the craft sector…The craft sector of Canada has benefitted immensely from Tom’s work.”

Tom has already been recognized with many awards, including an Alberta Centennial Medal, the prestigious Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Syncrude Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts Management. The CCF is pleased to add the Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft to Tom’s extensive list of accolades.

WWTD...

(What

Would Tom Do)

Many of our members have had the pleasure of working with Tom McFall. The CCF Conference sessions in Lunenburg were Tom’s influence, as the national craft community was excited to see what he was up to after his retirement and eager to visit and take in his curated tours of the historic UNESCO town he relocated to.

We thought our members and longtime Craft Council family would like a glimpse into what Tom has been up to since his ‘retirement from the ACC.’ Tom has been busy… anyone who knows him wouldn’t expect any less. Tom and Lettie had been to the South shore and Lunenburg a number of times; its historic roots, architecture, museums, internationally renowned craft artists, food scene, music, and festivals would be the envy of a city, but this quaint town of 2500 seems to have it all. On his introduction to the CCF Lunenburg sessions, Tom joked to conference attendees that by noon on the third day is when you usually start looking at houses.

Renovating an old 1885 Lunenburg ‘bump’ located in the UNESCO designated Old Town has kept him busy and connecting with many of the local historic restoration experts. His interest in the town’s historic

architecture has extended beyond his own renovation project to volunteering with the local heritage society.

His work helping coordinate speakers and tours as part of the CCF Lunenburg session gave him an excuse to connect to a few artists and studios he admired, like the Dory Shop who have been building the iconic Grand Banks dory and other traditional wooden rowboats for close to a century. Once Tom’s renovations are complete he has another project lined up: fixing up an antique Dory and taking up sailing.

He does miss the artists from the Alberta Craft Council, but his home has many of our artists prominently on display. Much of his notable collections of vintage and historic Alberta Craft stayed in the province and were generously donated to the Royal Alberta Museum and Medalta.

If you find yourself on the southern shore of Nova Scotia, be sure to stop in Lunenburg, you might be lucky enough to get a fabulous tour from Tom, and you will definitely find yourself checking out houses if you stay longer than three days. A

You can read Senator Bovey’s full speech in our blog: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/blog

Shona Rae Re-Imagined Narratives

The Fine Craft community in Alberta is a uniquely connected one. After 20 years in the making, Shona Rae exhibited “Re-Imagined Narratives” at the University of Calgary Nickle Galleries from October – December 2018, a remarkable series of 22 rings that connects her metalwork training with a lifetime obsession of lore. Having been a member since 2004, the Alberta Craft Council has been following Shona’s journey from concept to completion. It was fortuitous that Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub was chosen to write the accompanying catalogue essay “Shona Rae: A Ring of Truth” as she was chosen as 2018’s recipient of the Tom McFall Honour Award.

“Shona Rae is not a story teller in the traditional sense. The narrative works that make up this exhibition are neither the elusive “winged words” of oral history nor are they simply re-presentations of existing stories. Rather they are the artist’s intricately reimagined narratives wrought mainly in metals and featuring characters from traditional fairy and folk tales and the tarot. […]

When asked about the concept behind her twenty-year commitment, the Calgary artist somewhat ingenuously suggests that she simply set out to meet a need — hinting that each ring serves, in effect, as a moral compass. For, as she explains “Fairy tales and the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana (greater secrets) describe the journey of the human condition and thus are helpful in navigating our adult lives.” Nevertheless, these small sculptures are first and foremost exemplary works of fine craft, and while they may perform as rings, their very scale and complexity far exceeds

our expectations regarding jewellery or body adornment — encouraging the viewer to reconsider the artist’s intentions. Is it jewellery? Is it story telling? Is it a lesson? Is it performance?”

- excerpt from “Shona Rae: A Ring of Truth” by Dr. Jennifer E. Salahub,

About Shona Rae

From 1976 to present Shona Rae has taken a multitude of classes and workshops in ceramics, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, painting, fibre, vocals, and music. Influenced by a group of artists outside of Vancouver that became the movers and the shakers in the Canadian punk rock scene, she has dedicated her life to the practice of art and music.

Previously a professional clay sculptor, a series of dreams led her to begin studying goldsmithing and the metal arts in 1994. Since then, she has won numerous national and international awards, been awarded government grants, and received the 2015 Alberta Craft Excellence Award. Today, Shona continues her professional studio practice, teaches part-time, runs The Blackboard Gallery, and is the lead singer/songwriter for “Shona Rae and the VooDoo Hand,” a professional swamp-abilly rock band. A

Check out the exhibition catalogue for Re-Imagined Narratives, available for purchase at the Alberta Craft Gallery.

Exhibition curated by Michele Hardy

Organized by the Nickle Galleries

Illustrations by Jack Hornecker and Shona Rae

Learn more about Shona and Meet the Maker.

Alberta Craft Council: Having studied ceramics, theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, painting, fibre, and music, how do you decide what to work on in a day?

Shona Rae: I don’t stick to one genre in art, nor will I do it in my music. While I admire artists who can make 30 of one sculpture, it’s just not who I am. I am constantly working on many things at once and I don’t mind if things take years to make, especially when one is immersed in such an intense and satisfying creative process.

until I took an English class at ACAD about myths. When the professor would ask a question, everyone would turn to me because I often knew the answer. This class helped me come to an understanding that I needed to do my entire fairytale collection.

My favorite fairytale is “The Goose Girl,” although I don’t have work inspired by this tale in my collection. A close second would be “Bluebeard,” which I have created entire exhibitions about.

ACC: Was there an important event that helped shaped your career?

SR : When I was studying jewellery in school, my instructor told me I had to make rings to make it in the industry, and I vowed never to make rings. But never say never. I had two exhibitions at the Alberta Craft Gallery (2006 and 2015) and both were part of a series of rings. I am thankful for the Alberta Craft Council for supporting my work, which navigates the boundaries between jewellery and sculpture.

MEET THE MAKER

ACC: How has your love of lore impacted your work? What is your favorite fairytale?

SR: I have been obsessively reading myths and stories from all cultures my entire life, but I didn’t realize how much knowledge had accumulated

ACC: What is your favorite thing in your studio?

SR: I have wolf and bear skulls in my studio. People bring me skulls and bones all the time and I can be seen sporting a carved bone or two on my person. A

A self-proclaimed ‘Madwoman’ and an obsessive maker and songwriter, Shona Rae maintains a commitment to the study, practice, and education of art, craft, design, and rock and roll.

“When I was studying jewellery in school, my instructor told me I had to make rings to make it in the industry, and I vowed never to make rings. But never say never.”

Photo (top) by Ron Checora

Photo (top) by Ron Checora. (middle) Studio detail. Eros and Psyche / The Lovers (VI) (detail).

Photo by Shona Rae

CALLS FOR ENTRY

Coming Up Next: Call for Entry Deadline: March 11, 2019

Curators in Contemporary Craft: Call for Applications

Deadline: April 5, 2019

Alberta Craft Gallery 2020: Call for Exhibition Proposals

Deadline: June 1, 2019

LEARN MORE ON PAGE 5 OR VISIT:

www.albertacraft.ab.ca/opportunities

Return Address:

Alberta Craft Council 10186-106 Street

Edmonton, AB T5J 1H4