May/August 2017 - Alberta Craft Magazine

Farewell, Tom

Visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca/tom to read further remarks and to contribute your own stories, memories and best wishes for Tom.

Having a steady hand, making very considered judgements, always keeping the interests of members first and foremost, are elements that have not gone unnoticed amongst Tom’s peers. A keen interest in history and traditional work practices, an excellent eye for design, and an unfailing talent for bringing in the exact right consultant or connection when it’s needed, are also Tom’s hallmarks. The ACC has benefitted immensely from Tom’s extensive network, often placing our organization at the forefront of projects, and building in innovation.

It has been an honour and a pleasure to work with Tom McFall, and I know I speak for many people when I say that we’ll miss him after his retirement.

Tara Owen, Chair, Alberta Craft Council

Thanks to Tom’s efforts, visiting Hanji artists from Wonju have gotten to know the Alberta Craft Council and had a good impression of Edmonton, Calgary, and Canada. He leaves the Alberta Craft Council but his legacy will remain. I wish him luck in his future.

Kang Bum hee, Director of Wonju Hanji Cultural Center

Tom’s involvement with the Craft Organization Development Association (CODA) in the USA stands as a pivotal strategic direction that brought awareness of the craft community in Canada to the United States and further afield. Thank you, Tom, for your contribution to reaching beyond our borders.

Bernard Burton, Executive Director, Craft Alliance Atlantic, Halifax, NS and CCF Affiliate Member

Full of experience and always generous in offering advice and assistance, Tom has been a professional colleague of value. I feel fortunate to have known and worked with Tom. He’s been a great friend to me and to craft in Canada.

Anne Manuel, now retired Executive Director, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

Tom has not only made an indelible mark (really a statue) on the ACC, but he has so many other accomplishments in Alberta, and indeed in Canada that carry his name. His involvement with the CCF/FCMA (Canadian Crafts Federation) from day one added inestimable strength and credibility to a new and still shaky national coalition. With Tom on board I knew we were going to make it!

Robert Jekyll, Founding President of the CCF/FCMA

I can say, without reservation, that Tom is a unique blend of visionary and detail oriented producer. And he’s an artist with an artist’s discipline and love of beauty. When he gets an idea or his position established, he is tenacious.

John Mahon, now retired Executive Director, Edmonton Arts Council

Tom has been a tireless and articulate advocate for arts and culture in Alberta. It has been a pleasure to work with him, and we will miss his incredible knowledge and passion when he leaves Edmonton.

Carol Holmes, now retired Executive Director, Book Publishers Association of Alberta

ALBERTA CRAFT

THE MAGAZINE

The Alberta Craft Magazine is published three times a year.

Submission Deadline for the September - December Issue: July 15, 2017

The Alberta Craft Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relation or other activities 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

Offices & Galleries

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

Office Information

Hours Telephone

E-Mail Website

Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm (780) 488-6611 OR 1-800-DO-CRAFT acc@albertacraft.ab.ca www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Alberta Craft Gallery

Hours Telephone

Executive Director Admin. Manager, Member Services

Marketing Design Retail Gallery Manager Financial Officer Retail Gallery Assistant Exhibition Coordinators

Monday – Saturday 10 am to 5pm Open until 6 pm on Thursdays (780) 488-5900

Staff Chair Vice Chair Directors

Tom McFall, ext. 228

Joanne Hamel, ext. 234

Jessica Telford, ext. 221 Ruta Nichol, ext. 231

Linda Frena, ext. 232

Wendy Arrowsmith, ext. 234

JoAnna Lange

Joanne Hamel

Ruta Nichol

Jessica Telford

Board of Directors

Tara Owen, Calgary

Dawn Deterando, Red Deer

Jenna Stanton, Medicine Hat

Mary-Beth Laviolette, Canmore

Victor Steel, Edmonton

Kari Woo, Canmore

Jennifer Salahub, Calgary

Meghan Wagg, Edmonton

Kai Georg Scholefield, Calgary

Brenda Malkinson, Edmonton

Jessica Telford, ext. 221 Editor Magazine Sponsors

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

E.D. Report

From the Executive Director

This is my last column as Executive Director of the Alberta Craft Council. After 19 years in the role, and about 30 years of personal involvement with ACC, I’m retiring. My wife Letisha and I have bought an 1885 house in the UNESCO World Heritage District of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. My next “job” will be the restoration of our new-old house and studios, and then settling in Lunenburg’s lively cultural scene.

I am going to miss just about everything about the Alberta Craft Council… especially the people… the members, their work, board and staff, colleagues from other organizations, supporters, customers, funders… I could fill this column with names… and probably miss some…

On page 4 and 5 you will read my interview with ACC board member, curator/author and friend, MaryBeth Laviolette.

I’ve had numerous questions about favourite, most memorable, (or most challenging) highlights of my ACC activity. These are also too numerous to list or explain thoroughly. As I review Alberta Craft Magazines of the past 19 years, I surprise myself with how much we have accomplished – and (oops) even how much I have forgotten! But I’ll give it a try… recalling about 25 of my highlights…

• 1986, Bat Barford, Katherine Hutton and I volunteered to design the new ACC logo, identity, newsletter, signage, all in preparation for the ACC’s retail and exhibition activity at the Calgary Olympics

• 1990, several pieces of my furniture appeared in the juried Champagne Breakfast exhibition that celebrated the ACC’s 10th anniversary

• 1992, I curated a blockbuster ACC exhibition Alberta Made Home. 200 pieces of home furnishings by 40 members were presented in ACC’s new Manulife Gallery in Edmonton and at Triangle Gallery in Calgary

• In the mid-90s I toured the province doing federally funded research called the Rural Development Craft Project

• This fed into the ACC’s innovative Producers Representative Program, a sophisticated wholesale marketing venture that was a good decade ahead of its time. (Something similar now operates in the Atlantic provinces)

• January 1998 I wrote the first of these columns. In late 1997, after a surprise turnover of two Executive Directors, I was asked to act as interim ED. This was going to be temporary… Right!

• 1998, we started meeting with colleagues from other provincial craft councils. Out of the ashes of the

Canadian Craft Council, we formed the Canadian Crafts Federation as a working network for the craft sector. ACC continues to play a prominent role in this national activity

• 2000, we moved ACC to the current Edmonton location. Despite some controversy about the undesirability of downtown, visitor numbers tripled, sales of members’ work doubled and funding increased

• 2002, ACC played a key role in the Profile and Development Strategy for Craft in Canada, leading into other national and international studies by various Provincial Craft Councils for Canadian Crafts Federation

• 2003, ACC members Simon Wroot, Charles Lewton-Brain and I proposed the concept of Craft Year as a nation-wide year-long festival. The idea became Craft Year 2007

• By 2005, we had raised an additional $45,000 to renovate and open the ACC’s Feature (lower) Gallery in Edmonton

• For the 2005 provincial centennial celebrations, ACC developed a new blockbuster exhibition, All About Alberta. It was presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa

• 2006 All About Alberta was re-staged at the Canadian Embassy Gallery in Washington, DC as the anchor exhibition for Alberta at the Smithsonian. It toured to seven other American, Canadian and Korean destinations

• Craft Year 2007 had an astonishing 630 events across the country, with many in Alberta. Particularly in Calgary, ACC hosted the US Craft Organization Directors Association Conference, partnered with members affiliated with ACAD on the Invisible/ Visible Conference, and supported eight simultaneous exhibitions

• Craft Year 2007 attracted international attention, and All About Alberta was invited to the prestigious Cheongju International Craft Biennale in South Korea

• 2007, ACC coordinated the Cultural Human Resources Council’s professional profile for “craft”

• 2002-09, ACC led the Craft Working Group for Trade Team Canada. This generated an International Trade Action Plan for Craft (to encourage export),

Continued on next page

Quilting Bee

by Loraine Constable, 2016

Hand hooked with wool on linen 17” x 22”

“The Quilting Bee was an extremely popular social event in the nineteenth century. It provided a social space for women to gather and communicate while they simultaneously expressed their artistic capabilities. They learned new skills, exchanged ideas and talked over problems of the community.” - Loraine Constable

On the Cover Find Out More...

About the Feature Gallery exhibition Women’s Hands Building A Nation on page 6-7 featuring Corlienne Pennell and more.

Yarn Bombed Chair by Corlienne Pennell, 2016

Continued from page 1...

a National Occupational Classification (which made “craft” official as an arts discipline and sector), North American Industry and Product Codes (to track craft data), and a new Statistics Canada definition and category of “craft”

• Following on the first ACC Korean success, Canada was invited to Cheongju as the guest country for 2009

• More than 400 Canadian craft artists, including about 50 Albertans, were featured in exhibitions, marketing activity, tours, lectures and follow-up projects

• 2009 to 2013, ACC partnered with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Craft Councils on the Prairie Excellence exhibition (plus major awards) that toured to nine public galleries

• 2009 the ACC board and staff nominated me for the prestigious Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management. And I received it!

• Clay 2010 was a giant exhibition and acquisition project. ACC partnered with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to collect, present, and add to the provincial art collection, work by 37 ceramic artists worth more than $70,000

• 2011, after severe provincial arts funding cuts, ACC presented The 16% Exhibition which featured an empty gallery and wide media coverage

• Provincial cuts also ended the ACC’s exciting TREX travelling exhibitions. In the previous decade seven of these had been presented in over 50 Alberta community galleries

• 2013, ACC started an exchange with Edmonton’s Korean twin city Wonju. ACC’s Pulp Paper Pages exhibition and eight member artists, were sent to the Wonju Hanji (paper craft) festival. 2015, 12 Korean master Hanji artists came to Alberta with an exhibition of their work, and for lectures, workshops, studio visits and home stays. ACC was invited back to Wonju for a 2017 festival, but this conflicted with the opening of ACC’s Calgary facility. Perhaps in the future…

• Craft Year 2015 exceeded CY07, with more than 700 exhibitions, events and projects. ACC hosted 2 CY15 staff and the national website. Craft Year 2020 is in planning mode now

• 2016, ACC launched a new Professional Member category that expands the various opportunities for member career growth

• 2016, ACC hosted the largest ever annual conference of the Canadian Crafts Federation, in Calgary

• For more than 5 years, ACC has been working on a new permanent gallery in Edmonton, as part of the innovative Artists Quarters project. Still in advanced fundraising mode, this may open in 3 or 4 years

• For more than a decade ACC has worked on 15 scenarios or proposals for a Calgary gallery facility

• 2017, June 17, Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary finally opens in c-SPACE King Edward Arts Hub. I say “finally” because the building project is behind schedule, and has been years in the making. But it’s happening… it’s really happening…

Alas, this new gallery is still a costly and risky venture. Fundraising about $50,000 more is necessary to complete the work and to operate in the black. So, I am asking everyone reading my last column to make a contribution, or another contribution, or a monthly or annual contribution, or a really big contribution… to the project… www. albertacraft.ab.ca/donate

For the 19 years that I have been the ACC’s Executive Director, my favourite aspects have been…

• more than 200 ACC exhibitions of some of the best fine craft in the world

• successful marketing of more than $5 million of members’ work

• a dense and colourful website, along with extensive media coverage, social media networks, and some significant critical acclaim

• about $4 million in fundraising

• well over half a million visitors to ACC, in Edmonton and around Alberta, plus more in US, Korea, and across Canada

• the fabulous assortment of ACC members, board and staff colleagues, and fine craft aficionados

• and… 75 issues of this magazine

I am unspeakably grateful for this opportunity to make my career with the Alberta Craft Council, and to have experienced so much support for everything I have been able to participate in or lead. After 19 years, I remain excited and rewarded by the truly remarkable creative output and dedication of Alberta Craft Council members and supporters. Thank you, for all of this!

Tom McFall, Executive Director

6250 per sq ft

Donate now online: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/donate

Donate by calling: 780-488-5900 or 1-800

Alberta Craft Council Culture in the making

Doors Open at Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary

It’s a big day for the Alberta Craft Council, the long anticipated Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary will open. The Gallery is in the newly renovated cSPACE King Edward Arts Hub located in the vibrant, arts-friendly, inner-city neighborhood of South Calgary near Marda Loop.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary

cSPACE King Edward 1721 – 29 Avenue SW, Suite #280

LIGHT THE GALLERY

TOM’S FAREWELL BASHES

3:00 pm - Annual General Meeting of the Alberta Craft Council

All members are welcome to join us at the AGM at Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary; to review our accomplishments of the past year and discover what’s in store for the next. If you are unable to attend please visit, www.albertacraft.ab.ca/acc-events/ to download your proxy and return it to Joanne by June 15 at 5:00 pm. RSVP to acc@albertacraft.ab.ca or call Joanne at 1-800-DO-CRAFT ext. 234.

5:00 - 9:00 pm - Light the Gallery

Join us for the opening celebration (admission is free) of the Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary … and help us LIGHT THE GALLERY. The gallery needs 70 high-efficiency, colour-balanced LED light heads. Each is worth $75. Buy one, or as many as you like. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation. You can also add your signature to each unit, leaving an indelible record on your contribution.

Sip, mingle and illuminate. Help us illuminate this beautiful space and the best of Alberta’s fine craft.

Tom’s Farewell Bashes

Mark your calendars, prepare your speeches (or crazy stories) and help us celebrate Tom, our fearless leader of the past 19 years. Both celebrations are open to all ACC members, supporters, craft aficionado’s and friends –old and new. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

• Saturday, June 17 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm

Alberta Craft Gallery - Calgary

• Thursday, June 29 from 6:00 – 10:00 pm

Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton

Formal speeches and presentation at 7:00 pm

CALL FOR ENTRY

PROCESS; THINKING THROUGH

Entry Deadline: October 1, 2017

Exhibition Dates: January – April 2018, Alberta Craft Feature Gallery – EDMONTON

8-week exhibition in mid or late 2018, Alberta Craft Gallery – CALGARY

Process is an essential concept for craft artists as making anything, especially anything unique, entails multiple material and technical processes. When these inter-relate with concept development, experimentation/testing and studio environment, then are combined with marketing, education and networking, they contribute to the evolution of a body of work and career.

This exhibition is seeking new work by craft artists who are interested in sharing their process. Work will be selected on its merit as well as the accompanying explanation of unique processes relevant to the exhibition theme.

This is an open call exhibition.

Visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca/acc-calls-for-entry/ for complete submission details.

Tom McFall: Time to Wave Goodbye

Tom McFall retires in June after nineteen years as the Executive Director of the Alberta Craft Council. When he departs, Tom will be leaving a healthy organization with an annual budget of $900,000, a membership of 375, 16 exhibitions this year, sales of nearly $400,000 from its well-stocked retail gallery, a lively and dedicated board and eight (three more coming in Calgary) full and part-time staff.

More news will follow in upcoming issues of Alberta Craft Magazine about this new space in southern Alberta as well as the individual who will have some pretty big shoes to fill as Tom’s successor. In the meantime, Tom is here for the last time to talk about himself and his work with the nearly forty-year old organization. Board member, author, curator, Mary-Beth Laviolette conducted an interview with our departing ED in early March.

Mary-Beth: What were your beginnings?

TOM: My first degree was in industrial design, the second one was a continuation with more focus on design history. My fascination has always been with material culture, particularly the material culture of handmade and culturally influenced “things”. The root of this… I grew up on my grand-parents cattle ranch south of Medicine Hat where just about everything was handmade, where my grandfather was a blacksmith as well as a rancher, my grandmother hooked rugs and made quilts, my father made rope, my mother, relatives and neighbours all made something…This seemed second nature, yet my urban experience was that very few people made anything. At one time I thought my interest might be in museums as a designer or curator. My most seminal influence was going to Expo 67 and seeing Canadian design and Canadian craft for the first time. So, these ideas… got out of control somehow and… became focused on material creativity, design, history, the cultural origins and personal motivations, and the objects, techniques and processes we generally call fine craft… the culture of deliberate hand-making.

Mary-Beth: What have you liked best about your job at the ACC?

TOM: My best and favourite work… although I’ve not found the perfect term… is in the realm of artistic director or creative director. It certainly involves a lot of curatorial activity, and in one way or another, I have had a hand in over 200 exhibitions though the ACC and more in other locations. I wasn’t always formally the curator but have been involved as an instigator, manager or facilitator. I also like studying objects and object making and writing about that. The creative encouragement of individual craft artists and their creative pursuits, the artistic direction of projects, the elevation of craft as a distinct art form, and presentation of craft careers and craft forms are the things I most like to do.

Mary-Beth: What are some of your highlight activities?

TOM: All About Alberta which took Alberta craft to the Smithsonian [Washington, D.C.] was a huge venture. That attracted

Alberta Craft Feature Exhibition

Alberta Craft Council Culture in the making

more high-level attention there than we ever could in Edmonton. There were federal and provincial cabinet ministers, ambassador, premier, mayors, councilors, and other VIPs who attended that exhibition. We’ve done half a dozen exciting exhibitions that have toured Canada or internationally.

Another high point was the move into the current ACC location 17 years ago. The relocation doubled sales and tripled visitors in the first year. More recently, securing and developing a Calgary location in c-SPACE King Edward has been a huge task, and sometimes a challenge. Doing the ground-work for Edmonton’s Artists Quarters [where the ACC will relocate] is another big chunk of activity. It will be a permanently owned location for the Craft Council.

More over-all… this is a little harder to explain… in 2002 and 2008 the ACC carried out member surveys. In 2002, around 50% of the members were describing themselves as professionals. In 2008, it was around 80%. This shift has been significant: meaning there was a lot of pent-up demand for more career services from ACC, more career advice, more exposure opportunities and not just on a commercial basis… because we do as much as we can to see people creatively excel at their craft.

That shift in numbers (toward more professionalism) has continued, and the most recent manifestation of that, last year, was the introduction of a designated professional ACC membership.

Mary-Beth: Is there a distinguishing feature of how the ACC serves its member artists?

TOM: There is a mutually inclusive notion that the Alberta Craft Council is important to members and members are important to the Council – and that the two should be able to grow together. Aside from exhibitions, marketing, exposure, referrals, etc. the most distinctive activity or function of the ACC, compared to other arts organizations or other craft councils, is the Advisory Committee

and its services. This can be a one-time friendly evaluation or an on-going relationship that looks at all aspects of career growth. The process can include a six page survey, submission of samples, committee feed-back, follow-up meetings, studio visits, and various other pieces of personalized assistance. Often members, or new members think this is about whether or not their work is ready for the ACC retail program. But more often, the advisory committee activity prompts conversations about their career path, creative opportunities and business ideas opportunities ACC can offer, what networking ACC can do for them, and… well the idea generation can be almost limitless.

Another distinguishing feature… the Alberta Craft Council is the last craft council in the country to produce a magazine. And, this magazine is probably ACC’s most popular member service. We try to make it newsy enough to attract a larger audience, while also acting as a catalogue of current member’s work, a record of exhibitions and other ACC activity, and a promotional piece, even internationally.

My final “most distinguishing feature” will be the opening of the Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary. With craft, we are dealing with a material art form that needs to be presented and experienced physically. The Alberta Craft Council’s highest profile public activity is this space here in Edmonton, with Feature, Discovery and Retail Gallery spaces (with 25,000 to 30,000 visitors annually). This is why ACC doing something about a permanent gallery in Calgary has been so urgent for so long, even though it is more expensive and more difficult to do it there. It’s taken five years to get the Calgary [c-SPACE King Edward] proposal into a physical form that is appropriate to ACC’s goals and ACC members’ needs. This wasn’t planned, but coincidentally the opening of the Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary in June will also be my retirement party.

Read further at www.albertacraft.ab.ca/tom-interview/

Exhibition Announcement

Citizens of Craft

June 24 – September 23, 2017

Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary

cSPACE King Edward 1721 - 29 Avenue SW, Calgary

The ACC is thrilled to announce Citizens of Craft will be the first exhibition at the Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary. The exhibition features exceptional work by 15 ACC professional members participating on the Citizens of Craft website.

Visit: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/calgary-gallery/

Vessel with Stand by Sung Nam Kim

Feature Gallery

Women’s Hands BUILDING A NATION

Chinook Guild of Fibre Arts

Women’s Hands Building a Nation by Chinook Guild of Fibre Arts commemorates Canada’s 150 anniversary of confederation. The exhibition celebrates women’s contribution to the nation by highlighting women’s achievements and recognizing their perseverance in the face of great obstacles.

Through rug hooking, quilting, needlework and other fibre work, the Guild is recognizing women’s rightful place in the history of Canada. Historically, fibre was sometimes dismissed as a serious art medium, as were women’s contributions to Canada. With their exploration of topics as diverse as fighting for the right to vote, the experience of living in sod houses, yarn bombing and the YWCA, the Guild is celebrating Canadian women with wit, compassion and insight.

“If one believes they can do something, they will generally get it done. Pragmatic and tenacious out of necessity are qualities that women have developed. Women have been able to overcome and move on despite the obstacles and challenges they face.” - Marylin

Handy

“[Yarn Bombed Chair is] a tribute to the women of our nation. Women have not only worked the fields, they have driven horse drawn wagons, walked miles for water, tended children, worked alongside men, while softening the home environment with works of art. Yarn bombing is a 21st century worldwide effort by fibre artists to soften sterile public places.”

Corlienne Pennell

“I chose to make this rug because of the significance of the family law decision which impacts people today. Murdoch versus Murdoch in 1973, was a controversial family law decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, where the court denied an Alberta abused ranch wife any interest in the family ranch. The general outcry against the decision contributed to substantial reforms to matrimonial property laws in Canada, giving husbands and wives equal rights to property acquired during the marriage.” -

Gail Richards

“During WWII women worked in factories building ships, airplanes, and making munitions. 46% of all women ages 14 to 59 and 90% of all single women ages 19 to 40 worked in the war effort.” -

Dixie McCall

The Chinook Guild of Fibre Arts is an organization with over 200 members and has been active in Calgary since 1929. Previously known as the Alberta Handicraft Guild, the Guild has reorganized and changed names several times over the years. Throughout the Guild’s history, they’ve aimed to keep heritage fibre arts alive in their community. Today, the members’ guild proudly carries on this mission in Calgary and area.

Participating Chinook Guild of Fibre Arts members: Marlene Bartlett, Maureen Benning, Mona Birdwell, Cheryl Bridger, Rose Brooks-Birarda, Loraine Constable, Phyllis Davis, Barb Dilschneider, Tracy Fewster, Mary Glass, Flo Haliburton, Sheralee Hancherow, Marylin Handy, Lynne Howard, Lynda Hynes, Margaret Jessop, Sharon Johnston, Eva Laurion, Mary MacTavish, Bonnie Mather, Dixie McCall, Pat Minton, Christine Mueller, Rebecca Nicholas, Bev Patkau, Jan Peciulis, Corlienne Pennell, Cynthia Prosser, Elaine Proulx, Gail Richards, Wendy Rowan, Sally Scott, Kathy Skyole, Karen Smith, Dianne Sutton, Ann Taylor, Judy Thomson, Ruth Walkden, Gay Walker, Nan Williams and Jennie Wolter

Dates

May 6 – August 19, 2017

Artist Reception: 2-4 pm, Saturday, May 6

Above:

Munitions Factory WWII by Dixie McCall, 2016 Hand hooked in wool on linen 9” x 12”

Left: Murdoch vs. Murdoch ‘Dower Rights 1973’ by Gail Richards, 2016 Hand hooked on linen with wool, assorted fabric 22” x 25”

Visit: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/ feature-gallery

Discovery Gallery

Dates

June 3 - July 15, 2017

Artist Reception: 2-4 pm, Saturday, June 10

Above: Glorious and Free by Ann Haessel

Layered, stiched and burned fabric, yarn and threads 60” x 40”

Threads that Bind by Ann Haessel

Ann Haessel creates intuitively abstract textile art, integrating layers of thought and emotion. Her art reflects both her respect for heritage crafts and interest in experimenting with various mediums and techniques.

Ann’s complex abstractions blur boundaries between fibre art, painting and mixed media. Starting with sheer fabrics she creates artwork that evolves over time. Free form stitching, knitting, sewing, the addition of materials like yarns, cotton and other embellishments, provide depth and texture to her powerful compositions. The use of non-traditional craft materials like paint stripper to cause surface breakdown, give pieces an ephemeral atmosphere.

transformation, release and healing. Each piece tells a story of imagination and emotion through its dynamic colouration, fabric/textile layering, and the incorporation of found objects. It is a journey of possibilities to explore, create and appreciate.

Visit: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/ discovery-gallery

Threads that Bind embraces a spirit of open, undefined creativity that allows for reflection,

Ann Haessel (Calgary) was born on a farm in Southern Alberta. Her current body of work is mainly abstract, with artworks consisting of up to ten layers of fabric that is sewn, burned and embellished. Ann has a strong artistic background, has attended many courses and seminars, including at the Alberta College of Art + Design. In 2008, Ann was juried into the Society of Canadian Artists. That same year, she was juried into an international exhibition in Florence, Italy. In 2008 and 2011, Ann participated in exhibitions in New York, NY

Painted with Fire by Ken Lumbis

The process of pit-fired pottery process intrigues me, not only because of possibilities in developing colour but also because it can be done in one’s backyard. My chosen direction is different from more frequently seen pit-fired pottery, in that I’ve pursued a more painterly practice using ceramic panels.

For many years, in my career as a biologist studying small bird and waterfowl populations and their habitats, my artistic endeavors were informed by my observations as a biologist of western Canadian rural and wilderness landscapes. Observing these lands from both the air and ground developed my appreciation for the juxtaposition of different habitats and landforms, their textures and colours throughout the seasons and the human impacts on these landscapes. Very often the geometric forms and textures of human activities are significant elements across Alberta landscapes.

The grogged sculpture clay used in my work allows different patterns to develop as the fire plays across the clay, creating interesting effects. By adding various surface materials prior to pit firing, I develop archeological and geological textures across my ceramic landscapes. While the finished surfaces are abstract in nature, they reflect the micro and macro level observations that one can make in nature.

Pit firing represents an intriguing exploration of possibilities. Has the piece survived the firing process? More importantly, has the pit fire produced the anticipated effects? It is always exciting to uncover a piece from the ashes.

Ken Lumbis grew up in Saskatoon, SK, where he obtained a BSc from the University of Saskatchewan. A fulfilling career as a biologist allowed him to explore many different areas of the west from agricultural landscapes to remote boreal forest habitats. During this period, Ken maintained a casual art practice primarily focused on photography and stained glass. For the last few years, Ken has worked as the studio technician for the Fine Arts Department at Grande Prairie Regional College. Having set up a home studio, he now spends more time exploring the pit-firing process and developing his practice.

Discovery Gallery

Dates

July 22- September 2, 2017

Artist Reception: 2-4 pm, Saturday, July 22

Above: Clear Hills by Ken Lumbis, 2016 Pit-fired ceramic panel on wood . 19.75” x 27.8”

Visit: www.albertacraft.ab.ca/discovery-gallery

Discovery Gallery

Dates

Relocations

by

Sam Knopp

Sam Knopp’s exhibition Relocations references her recent move back to Alberta after living and studying in Vancouver for the past seven years. This move from an urban to a rural setting has brought questions to the forefront. How do we find common ground or perhaps embrace difference and reconcile our ideas and values about the handmade and massproduced?

Moving between the spectrums of utility and aesthetics, this exhibition features functional pots that are curious explorations of materiality, process and presentation. References to synthetic or commonplace materials such as concrete, packing foam, steel, neon hues and carpet underlay, force the viewer to question the relationship between handmade objects and our domestic space. Through these contradictions where the maker’s hand and the materiality of ceramics is simultaneously celebrated and subverted, Sam is reconciling these seemingly disparate ideologies.

Relocations is about Sam’s approach to ceramics, as she “relocates” the materials and aesthetics of

studio pottery with those of our mass-produced and industrially oriented culture.

Originally from Red Deer, Sam Knopp moved to the west coast to complete her BFA from Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2013. She was the recipient of the Circle Craft Graduation Award for ceramics and the BMO First Art Award for the province of BC. While a student, Sam worked with Nairne and Don Hutchinson at Kingsmill Pottery on Granville Island.

In 2014, Sam received a BC Arts Council Grant to complete a residency at the Medalta International Artist in Residence Program in Medicine Hat and in 2015 she was awarded the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award for Emerging Artist in Craft and Design. Sam was a board member for the Potters Guild of BC and co-founded the Dusty Babes Collective of emerging female ceramic artists. Now back home on the prairies she is excited to build a full-time practice in her home studio in Irma and to get involved in the ceramics community in Alberta.

Series 2017 Summer Arts School at Red Deer College

Immerse yourself in a summer experience like no other with Series Summer Arts School. For 34 years, Red Deer College has offered courses to artists from across North America to further explore their art.

The Alberta Craft Council has been an important partner by recommending courses that reflect both the current trends in visual art and crafts, as well as offering something that will appeal to every taste.

Experience our unique mix of Series workshops from July 10 – August 4, 2017 for adults of all ages and skill levels, including ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, metal arts, drawing, painting and more.

Get creative with classes in beadmaking, glass fusing, printmaking, mixed media, rug-hooking and bronze casting. Explore something new with courses in wood, stone and antler carving, and writing for women. Tame the Molten Monster in our hot glass classes. Get inspired with urban sketching or bookbinding. Demystify glazes or make your mark with textured letters and italics.

Develop your skills. Be a part of the Series Summer Arts School community. In addition to our week-long Series experience, try Series on for size with one-day workshops. A Taste of Series on July 22 will be packed with everything from jewellery and metal basket making to watercolour, hot glass, painting, print making, and mixed media.

“We’re offering dozens of new courses this year, from stone carving to urban sketching to log carving. We’re very excited that hot glass is back at RDC with a mobile hotshop,” says Joyce Howdle, Visual & Performing Arts Coordinator at Red Deer College. “Every year at Series is a new experience and it’s exciting to see what our students create.”

Series Summer Arts School prides itself on its professional instructors and 2017 is no exception. Featured instructors at Series 2017 who are also Alberta Craft Council members include:

Crys Harse: Regular instructor at Series who works in metals

Linda Chow: Award-winning jeweller and popular Series instructor

Ross Bradley: Regular Series instructor whose studio practise focuses on the human figure

Teena Dickerson: Currently working on her Master’s degree studying creativity and self-realization, she integrates tradition while embracing new technology in jewellery making

Connie Pike: Full-time ceramic artist who focusses on creating functional pottery

Diane Krys: Fibre artist who uses rug hooking, felting, knitting and crocheting to create sculptural textile art and furnishings

JoAnna Lange: Full-time ceramic artist who creates functional pottery and sculptural ceramics

Kai Scholefield: A glass artist and Glass House Art Collective member, they are bringing their mobile hotshop to Series

There’s so much to discover at Series! Attend instructor presentations, social activities, open model sessions and open studios in the evenings to connect with other likeminded artists in the Series community. Red Deer College’s on-campus accommodations are comfortable and affordable. Scholarships are available for Series students.

Immerse yourself in your art this July and be a part of Series Summer Arts School.

For more information or to request a brochure, please contact the RDC School of Continuing Education at continuingeducation@ rdc.ab.ca.or 403.356.4900. To register, visit the Series Summer Arts School website at www.rdc.ab.ca/series or call 403.357.3663.

Platter by Crys Harse

Vases by Connie Pike

Shop Talk

Year in Review

This past year has been eventful for the Alberta Craft Gallery –Edmonton, and I am pleased to report on some of the activities that maintain its success as well as what will be unfolding over the next few months.

Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary

Arguably the most exciting news to share is the progress of the new Alberta Craft Gallery – Calgary. Yes, the long anticipated expansion is nearing its completion and is opening its doors to the public this coming fall.

Working closely with our original location in Edmonton, this new Calgary space will feature both exhibition and retail opportunities for members. The 1600 sq./ft. Calgary location will include a selection of the nearly 150 artists currently represented in the Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton. We will work closely with the artists, understanding that representation will evolve as we settle into the space and the community.

New Artists

The Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton is pleased to welcome 16 new professional members:

Andrew Glazebrook (Wood), Louise Brud (Clay), Donna Brunner (Fibre), Albertine Crow Shoe (Jewellery), Brenda Danbrook (Clay), Diane Hove (Clay), Cindy Lea Hoppe (Fibre), Kenton Jeske (Furniture), Adam Lefebvre (Clay), Susan McKay (Glass), Brenda Raynard (Fibre), Karen Rhebergen (Fibre), Dena Seiferling (Fibre), Stefanie Staples (Fibre), Fei Su (Jewellery), Paul van den Bijgaart and Jie Yang (Glass)

Spotlight

MAY Ezequiel Morales (Calgary)

Ezequiel Morales believes that, for ceramics, there is always something exciting and worthy of trying. Having fired with salt, soda and wood, it is clear every technique can be both simple and complicated depending on the goals and demands imposed by the artist. For Ezequiel, the most

challenging techniques have been the most rewarding, motivating him to explore new areas in ceramics.

For some time, Ezequiel has been attracted to crystalline glazes, a field that is accompanied with warnings such as “unpredictable” or “problematic”. And yet, Ezequiel cannot resist the temptation to experiment. When a ceramic vase emerges from the kiln with crystals on its surface, Ezequiel continues to be surprised.

Outreach and Referrals

The Alberta Craft Gallery is a recognized source of talent and expertise for learning institutions, galleries and other retailers who scout for new artists to represent. For the individual client, we are an invaluable resource for matching customers’ needs to artists able to serve their vision. This past year, we expanded our artists’ outreach into alternate retail markets and the craft community by referring them to over 50 galleries, stores, teaching facilities, and individual clients.

Building Profile

Media and promotional coverage expanded our reach to customers and audiences. This past year, the Alberta Craft Gallery was promoted in the following venues, publications and media sources:

Dinner Television on City TV, Our Edmonton on CBC (TV and Radio), Where Magazine, Studio Magazine, Galleries West, Avenue Magazine, Vue Weekly, Preview Magazine, Alberta Craft Magazine, Arts Commons +15 Gallery, Calgary, Edmonton International Airport display cases, Alberta Craft Catalogue, ACC Website, What’s in Monthly E-newsletter, ACC Member E-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest

Fundraising and Sponsorship

Recognizing the importance of raising funds, the Alberta Craft Council board, volunteers and staff are participating in a new sponsorship program, artsVest, a national program offered by Business

JUNE Tyler Rock (Black Diamond)

Tyler Rock was raised near the lakes and rivers of northern Saskatchewan and in the midst of the Mojave Desert in California. In this wilderness, he has always been drawn to the point where the forest meets meadow or where water meets land. These between spaces are the most fertile, full of wildlife and possibility. Similarly, within the concept of the edge are ideas about limits and connections, boundaries and frontiers, and the line between thought and action. The pieces featured in this Spotlight Exhibition represent some of the treasures that can be found in these edges and echoes Tyler Rock’s love of wild places.

Vase by Ezequiel Morales

Bowl by Tyler Rock

for the Arts. The program offers educational tools and mentorship to not-for-profit organizations to stimulate sponsorship opportunities and will be investing up to $4500 in matching funds for sponsorships secured during the program. If you have a connection to a potential sponsor that you think could benefit the ACC, or would like to join our volunteer fundraising team, let us know!

Volunteers

With only 6 months since the launch of our new volunteer program, we now have 12 participants working in both the Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton and in the new artsVest Sponsorship Program. We extend our sincerest gratitude for all for their time and energy:

Holly Boone, Sarah Jacobi, Brooklyn Zalik, Harshita Chauhan, Darcy Hoover, James Lavoie, Mary-Beth Laviolette, Tara Owen, Brenda Raynard, Fei Su, Loreen Riley, Janelle Wyman

As we gear up for the opening of the Alberta Craft Gallery –Calgary, I am pleased to report that an additional 9 members have come forward to declare their enthusiasm in contributing. They include:

Sheila Fendall, Martha Henry, Milt Fischbein, Corinne Cowell, Triniruth Bautista, John Smith Jones, Terri Millinoff, Hellen Beamish, Simon Wroot, Sarabeth Carnat

If you are interested in becoming involved with the new Calgary location, please visit our website and fill out our volunteer form.

Trends

With the switch to our retail sales program 3 years ago, comparing sales results and monitoring patterns has become a great tool to assist us in our expansion to Calgary. Here are some interesting results from 2016:

• The Alberta Craft Gallery – Edmonton represented 144 artists.

• On average, the Gallery receives new stock from 24 artists per month.

• Fibre marked the greatest growth, up 35% from 22 artists in 2015 to 26 artists in 2016.

• Clay still represents the largest category of artists in a discipline, 30%.

• Top sellers to close this year are Voyager Art & Tile (clay), followed by Lisa Head-Harbidge (glass), and Darren Petersen (glass).

• Largest number of artists in the top 25 sellers was occupied by Clay at 40%; followed by Fibre at 20%; and Jewellery at 16%

2016 was a tremendous year and I hope everyone takes the opportunity to visit our new Calgary location. Keep an eye out for invitations and announcements for receptions, parties and events celebrating the new space and its place in the craft community. We look forward to seeing you there

Linda Frena, Retail Gallery Manager

JULY Louise Brud (Calgary)

“Inspired by the properties and patterns of nature, the “spiral” has held the greatest appeal to me. Scaling from the tiny to the cosmic, logarithmic spirals have a very special property in which their shape remains the same no matter how big or small. This example of selfsimilar pattern raised the concept of repetition, expanding symmetry and recursion to the forefront of my work. Unaware of where it may take my work, I began exploring this idea with a nesting bowl set which developed into a series of work based on the concept of recursion: a process of repeating objects in a self-similar way.”

AUGUST Andy Brooks (Edmonton)

Making Notes Revisited highlights the ornamental and decorative elements that make a popular stringed instrument into a personal statement. Andy has built many ukuleles that follow traditional size and shape constraints, conforming to most players’ expectations. Confident in his ability to build well-playing instruments, Andy is challenging the expected to produce ukuleles which are visibly different and intriguing. Rather than build an instrument for a specific individual, these signature ukuleles will call to prospective players or admirers of craft, looking for an affordable, enjoyable personal statement.

Cups by Louise Brud

Ukulele by Andy Brooks

In the News

Pamela Ritchie Receives 2017 Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in Fine Craft

Pamela Ritchie’s (Halifax, NS) jewellery brings together traditional craft processes, contemporary ideas of science and culture, and the language of materials. Her work celebrates the concentrating effect of detail, and the paradox that an abundance of ideas, form and pattern can be encapsulated in small objects.

Ritchie’s award-winning work has been shown in 100+ exhibitions throughout North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, and featured in books, catalogues and periodicals.

Kudos

Amy Skrocki (Edmonton) was awarded a 2017 Niche Award in the professional division - Fashion Accessories category. The NICHE Awards program began in 1989 to celebrate excellence and innovation in American and Canadian fine craft. Artists are recognized in both professional and student divisions.

http://www.nicheawards. com/2017-winners/amyskrocki/

Rae Hunter (Tofield) is the recipient of the 2017 SAGE Award for Arts & Culture. The SAGE Senior Association of Greater Edmonton holds the annual awards to honour outstanding achievements and contributions of seniors in the community. As a teacher and artist in basketry, fibre arts and weaving; Rae shares her interest in this challenging, environmentally friendly part of life and history.

The Vital Beat (by Convenant Health) has published an article about a second chapter for Mother and Child, a stained glass window by Brenda Malkinson (Edmonton). It was commissioned in 1979 for Knox Metropolitan United Church. Since it was decided the congregation was moving and the church building would be torn down, a new home for Mother and Child has been found at Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton. http://www. thevitalbeat.ca/news/windowgoes-illuminating-parishionerswelcoming-patients/

Last Call II features handmade ceramics for pouring, storing, and sipping fine libations. The exhibition was juried by Jen Allen and participants include Mindy Andrews (Calgary). Twig Bark Cup and Stump by Mindy Andrews is featured on the catalogue cover for the exhibition. The Companion Gallery is a vessel oriented gallery, their primary focus is on emerging and established studio pottery from North America. http:// companiongallery.com/

On September 21, 2016, Quilter’s Garden and Sturgeon River Roundel by Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur were unveiled at the official opening of Red Willow Place, St Albert. Quilter’s Garden, is about collaboration and the many hours and decades of learning and growing that one experiences throughout a lifetime. Sturgeon River Roundel, combines a grouping of local animal species and natural growth.

Twig Bark Cup and Stump by Mindy Andrews

Mother and Child (detail) by Brenda Malkinson

Untitled, brooch by Pamela Ritchie. Private Collection Canada. Photo by artist

In the News

Kudos

The Art & Design in Public Places Program (The Places) has announced the commission of five new original landmark sculptures for the Capital Boulevard Legacy Public Art Project – Canada 150. The sculptures will bring meaning to Capital Boulevard. The five finalists, selected from an invitational call extended to 48 Alberta artists, includes Firebrand Glass (Julia Reimer and Tyler Rock) and Voyager Art & Tile (Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur).

Firebrand Glass is a collaboration between award winning artists Julia Reimer and Tyler Rock. Both artists credit the natural environments in which they were raised for forming their artist aesthetics: for Julia, southern Alberta is expressed in her tendency towards the simplicity of light and form, while Tyler, from northern Saskatchewan, explores the fertile point between boundaries. Their sculpture for Capital Boulevard is inspired by the concept of landmarks.

Voyager Art & Tile (Dawn Detarando and Brian McArthur) designs and creates public art and a line of decorative tile. Both artists hold MFAs from Ohio State University, and maintain solo art careers alongside their collaborative work. Star Gazer, their sculpture for Capital Boulevard, celebrates the life and work of David Thompson, whose early explorations gave shape to the land and the locations of many of our cities.

Brenda Danbrook (Opal) was featured in the Edmonton Journal article, Dishing the right stuff at local eateries creates ambience, good taste (February 12, 2017). Chef Tony Krause purchased custom-designed stoneware by Brenda to enhance the food experience at Privada Wine and Tapas in St. Albert, AB. http://edmontonjournal.com/ life/food/dishing-the-rightstuff-at-local-eateries-createsambience-good-taste

Galleries West reviewed the Medalta exhibition Home in the January 13, 2017 article Fired Up About Home. The exhibition ran from November 25, 2016 to March 18, 2017. Participating artists include Elizabeth Burritt, Jenn DemkeLange, Adam Lefebvre, Les Manning, Noriko Masuda, Susan McKinnon, Aaron Nelson, Jenna Stanton and more. Curated by Jenna Stanton Home 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. There are exhibition plans for Home at the Alberta Craft Gallery - in Edmonton & Calgary. A portion of the exhibition is traveling to the 2017 Toronto Design Festival and WantedDesign Brooklyn as part of the Outside the Box Exhibition.

The Alberta Craft Council is saddened by the news of two members recently passing away. Terry Cass and Malcolm Macfadyen will be missed.

Stone carver Terry Cass (Nanton) 1943 passed away last fall (1943 – 2016). Terry was a long-time member and was represented by the Alberta Craft Gallery for many years. Terry had a lifelong interest in North American wildlife and spent much of his time in the mountain and lake regions of western Canada. His inspiration for his stone carving came from his time spent outdoors. In his forties, after years of working with his hands as a general contractor, he discovered a love for carving stone.

Glass artist Malcolm Macfadyen (Vancouver, BC) passed away this winter (1948 – 2017). He immigrated to Canada from England in 1973 and worked in architectural and blown glass since the 1980. He studied under Andy Andrews in England, Italian Maestros Loredano Rosin and Pino Signoretto at Pilchuck Glass School, and American Maestros Karen Willenbrink, Randy Walker and Ross Richmond at Red Deer College. His blown glasswork was represented by Alberta Craft Gallery and by many other Canadian galleries. His residential architectural glasswork is enjoyed by many.

Vessel by Brenda Danbrook

Home by Adam Lefebvre

Maquette of Star Glazer by Voyager Art & Tile

Opportunities

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

For the September - December issue is July 15, 2017

Email: acc@albertacraft.ab.ca

The Alberta Craft Council welcomes submissions of opportunities for craftspeople, space permitting. If you are interested in promoting a special event, call for entry, educational activity, gallery or exhibition please call the ACC office or email acc@albertacraft.ab.ca. The ACC makes every effort to ensure the reliability of all the programs and services listed below; however we will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of doing business with any of the advertisers contained herein.

EVENTS

Canadian Craft Biennial - Burlington, ON

The Art Gallery of Burlington, in collaboration with Craft Ontario, is proud to present the first Canadian Craft Biennial from August 19 - October 29, 2017. The launch of this inaugural event during Canada’s 150th anniversary, will serve as a spotlight to celebrate and educate on the importance of contemporary craft throughout Canada’s diverse history and future. Under the theme Can Craft? Craft Can! the Biennial will explore what and who is ‘Canadian Craft’? and analyze ideas regarding the agency of craft.

Major programming focuses on four curated exhibitions of contemporary craft, 2 residencies, 1 two-day symposium, a master ceramic workshop, and an assortment of public engagement programs. http://artgalleryofburlington. com/upcoming-exhibitions/canadian-craftbiennial/

CALLS FOR ARTISTS

Space Finder Alberta

The goal is to strengthen the creative, nonprofit and small business sectors. From the user’s standpoint, SpaceFinder Alberta will streamline the search for appropriate and affordable space. From the venue’s point of view, it will bring more awareness to the community about your facilities and less space will go underused. List a Space. Find a Space. For Free. www.alberta. spacefinder.org

Small Art Objects 2017, A.I.R. Vallauris, France

“Small Art Objects”, is a biannual competition, exhibition and sale of small art objects organized by A.I.R. Vallauris. The theme for the 4th edition of this event is “Fire for effect”. Exhibition opens July 1st, 2017. Entry deadline: June 1, 2017 www.air-vallauris.org/en/small-art-objects/

Corning Museum of Glass Residencies at The Studio - Corning, NY

The Studio’s Artist-in-Residence program brings artists from around the world to Corning. The artists spend a month at The Studio, exploring new directions in glass art, or expanding on their current bodies of work, while using the immense resources of the world’s leading glass museum. Apply by August 31, 2017. http://www. cmog.org/

Extended Artist in Residence, Banff Centre

Deadlines: January 20, March 2, April 20, August 31. Be surrounded by a community of artistic peers, attend inspiring talks and performances by worldrenowned visiting artists, and enjoy a spectacular mountain environment where you can engage or seek retreat. The EX BAiR program provides time and space for artists, curators, and researchers to create, experiment with and develop production techniques, and cultivate new directions in their work during an extended stay. www.banffcentre.ca/programs/ extendedbair

EDUCATION

Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts, Edmonton Register for Folk Art and Craft courses held by the ACUA. Courses include: spiral wheat weaving, fused glass jewellery, white on white embroidery, and more. For more information visit www. acuarts.ca/workshops.html or contact info@acuarts.ca.

Portage College Aboriginal Art Program, Lac La Biche

Inspiring artistic creativity, the Aboriginal Art program provides students with the unique opportunity to study Aboriginal art in a variety of media within a studio environment. The qualified and skilled instructors have vast knowledge of Aboriginal art from a cultural and historic point-of-view. This certificate program prepares students for further study in the diploma program at Portage College. www.portagecollege.ca/Programs/ Aboriginal_Art_Certificate.htm

MFA in Craft Media, ACAD - Calgary, AB ACAD’s MFA in Craft Media is a collaborative, cross-disciplinary, studiobased program that gives you the freedom to explore possibilities, push limits, and reimagine your practice. Students enjoy an immersive learning environment with plenty of opportunity to experiment with materials, engage with ideas, and be challenged to push the boundaries of what is possible as they generate and apply original knowledge. Application deadline: January 15. https://acad.ca/ degrees-programs/masters-degree

City Arts Centre, Edmonton

The City Arts Centre in Edmonton offers many courses in art, craft, dance, theatre, and active living throughout the year. Craft courses include: paper marbling, wire jewellery, ceramics, quilting, silversmithing, stained glass and more. For a complete catalogue of all classes offered contact the City Arts Centre in Edmonton at 780-496-6955.

Cultural Human Resources Council, Ottawa

The CHRC has released a career selfmanagement guide for artists and cultural workers. Artists and cultural workers developed the Art of Managing Your Career Guide to provide pertinent and practical information to better manage artistic careers. The guide is available for $20 per copy plus shipping and handling charges/ info@culturalhrc.ca

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre, Calgary

A centre of excellence for ceramics and pottery in western Canada. With a modern ceramics wing, experienced potters have the opportunity to use specialty kilns including raku, salt, wood and gas-fired. Our award-winning Instructors are some of the finest working artists in Calgary. Classes in both visual arts and ceramics are scheduled year round for all age and experience levels. www.calgary.ca/ recreation and look under Arts Centres.

Wildflower Arts Centre, Calgary

Seasonal registered programs in clay, drawing, painting, mixed media, glass as well as dance and drama for people of all ages and abilities. Other opportunities include custom programs for groups, birthday parties, artist residency, school arts programs, and studio memberships for established artists. With an emphasis on self-expression and technique, our approach involves patience, skill, humour and encouragement in a safe, creative and noncompetitive environment. Our instructors are professionally trained practicing artists. To learn more visit www. calgary.ca/recreation and look under Arts Centres.

Heritage Weavers and Spinners Guild of Calgary

Contextural is a Calgary group of likeminded artists who came together in the fall of 2007 with a common goal; to support our individual fibre practices. During the past several years we have set up a summer residency program, providing bi-monthly critiques of members work and exhibiting group shows at numerous venues. Members come from a variety of art backgrounds and bring their own unique vision to the group. We look forward to continued growth. If you are interested in what we have to offer or if you have any questions, please contact us at – info@contextural.ca

Contextural Fibre Arts Cooperative, Calgary

The HWSGC began in 1978 and continues to be actively involved in the Calgary fibre arts community. They offer weaving, spinning, dyeing and related fibre art workshops and classes throughout the year and hold an annual fall sale. www. heritageweaversandspinners.org

GRANTS / AWARDS

Canada Council Explore and Create Program

Explore and Create funds Canadian artists, artistic groups and organizations committed to the creation and dissemination of innovative, vibrant and diverse art. Explore and Create supports the research, development, creation and production of work, as well as professional development for artists. www.canadacouncil.ca

Calgary Arts Development’s Special Projects Grant

This program invests in specific projects of artists, organizations and ad-hoc groups in Calgary. Special Project Grants are usually in the $1,000 to $10,000 range. Annual Deadlines: January 15, May 15, October 15. www.calgaryartsdevelopment.com

Edmonton Arts Council Project Grants

Project Grants for Individual Artists are intended to support the activities of individual, professional, Edmonton artists for a specific time towards a specific project. Projects can be individual or collective and could include creation, development, curation, exhibition or production of work in any art form as well as professional development. Grants cannot be retroactive and cannot be applied to activity undertaken prior to the application deadline. http://grants. edmontonarts.ca/eac_grants/

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Project Grants for Individuals. Annual Deadlines: Feb 1 & Sep 1

Art Acquisition by Application -The AFA invites eligible artists resident in Alberta to submit applications for the collection art purchase program. www.affta.ab.ca

Alberta Craft Awards and the Linda Stanier & Family Memorial Award

Nominate someone who deserves to be recognized for their dedication to Alberta’s fine craft culture. Next Biennial Deadline: August 1, 2018. Linda Stanier & Family Memorial Award - $2000 – This endowed award celebrates the life of Linda Stanier and honours excellence in ceramics. ACC Awards - $1000 – Honour, Excellence and Achievement Awards. For more information visit www.albertacraft.ab.ca/awards

Blossom by Sung Nam Kim, 2016

Etching by Barbara Leighton

ALBERTA CRAFT COUNCIL www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Ceramic artist Mynthia McDaniel (Calgary) has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in both Printmaking and Ceramics and has exhibited both locally and internationally. Her main passion after pottery is travel, and whenever possible she will find a way to combine the two. Most recently she completed a two-month residency at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Japan, and a short residency at the Cesky Porcelán factory in the Czech Republic. For the past few years, Mynthia’s work has been ever changing as she experiments with new forms, glazes, clays and firing methods. One thing that has remained constant throughout is her aim to make inviting and functional forms, to make daily rituals more enjoyable.

RECENT NEW & RENEWING MEMBERS

Renewing Professional Members

Kristin Anderson, St. Albert, Polymer Clay

Andrea Blais, Calgary, Metal - Jewellery

Tracy Brown, Edmonton, Metal - Jewellery

Karen Cantine, Edmonton, Metal - Jewellery & Objects

Un-Jin Cho, Calgary, Fibre, Paper & Mixed Media

Paula Cooley, Saskatoon, Clay

Corinne Cowell, Calgary, Fibre, Mixed Media

Brenda Danbrook, Opal, Clay

Dawn Detarando & Brian McArthur, Red Deer County, Clay

Robin DuPont, Winlaw, Clay

Jim Etzkorn, Medicine Hat, Clay

Andrew Glazebrook, Red Deer County, Wood

Matt Gould, Red Deer, Fibre & Painting

Judith Green, Pincher Creek, Clay

Darcy Gusse-Edinga, Red Deer, Fibre

Heidi Klaassen, Calgary, Fibre

Sharon Rose Kootenay Cherweniuk, Vilna, Fibre

Mary-Beth Lavoilette, Canmore, Writer

Rachelle LeBlanc, St. Albert, Fibre

Brenda Malkinson, Edmonton, Glass

Ron Maunder, St. Albert, Metal - Jewellery

Mynthia McDaniel, Calgary, Clay

Lisa McGrath, Calgary, Clay

Wendy McPeak, Ardossan, Glass

Candice Meyer, Red Deer, Metal

Anne Ormerod, Calgary, Metal

Tammy Parks-Legge, Parkland County, Clay

Connie & Bob Pike, High River, Clay & Metal

Sarah Pike, Fernie, Clay

Daryl Richardson, Saskatoon, Metal & Wood

Dena Seiferling, Calgary, Fibre

Meghan Wagg, Edmonton, Metal - Jewellery

Allan Waidman, West Kelowna, Stone

Ken Wilkinson, Saskatoon, Clay

Larissa Blokhuis, Calgary, Glass and Ceramic

Milt Fischbein, Calgary, Metal

Mike Lam, Edmonton, Wood

Kai Scholefield, Calgary, Glass

Renewing Members

Alberta Potters’ Association, Calgary

Public Interest Alberta, Edmonton

Focus on Fibre Art Association, Edmonton

Art Market Productions, Delta

Ed Bamiling, Banff, Clay

Hellen Beamish, Calgary, Fibre & Glass

Jolie Bird, Calgary, Fibre

E. Ross Bradley, Edmonton, Appraiser, Clay & Glass

Cec Caswell, Sherwood Park, Fibre

Alison & Peter Faid, Edmonton, Supporter

Frankie, Sherwood Park, Woodcarving, Paper

Marie Gordon & Jim Kindrake, Edmonton, Supporter

Michelle Gluza, Edmonton, Paper & Fibre

Wayne Haglund, Calgary, Paper

Janet Halberg, Edmonton, Supporter

Carol Hartwell, Port McNicoll, Clay

Dianne Hove, Calgary, Clay

Joan Irvin, Calgary, Metal - Jewellery

Pat Moore, Yellowknife, Fibre

Cheryl Nekolaichuk, Edmonton, Supporter

Liv Pedersen, Calgary, Fibre

Bill Reynolds, Edmonton, Metal & Glass

Sanctuary Craft Studio, Spruce Grove, Glass & Fibre

Audra Schoblocher, Carseland, Metal & Jewellery

Brian Stearns, Edmonton,

Marianne Stewart, Edmonton, Supporter

Louise Tessier, Regina, Clay, Fibre, Printmaking

Debbie Tyson, Edmonton, Fibre

Carol Voyt, Victoria, Clay

Melanie Archer, Calgary, Metal

Megan Mackenzie Jones, Calgary, Metal

Vic Steel, Edmonton, Supporter

New Members

Alberta College of Art + Design, Calgary

Jennifer Allen, Lethbridge, Curator, Academic, Writer, Fibre & Metal

Don Barker, Calgary, Glass

Lucy Cariou, Calgary, Fibre

Sergej Cinguloski, Edmonton, Wood

Kyla Fischer, Edmonton, Paper & Fibre

Pamma Fitzgerald, Calgary, Clay, Paper, Mixed

Claudia Flohr, Calgary, Metal

Joann Freed, Edmonton, Supporter

Ariel Hill, Calgary, Jewellery & Metals

Jamie Kroeger, Golden, Jewellery & Metals

Jared Last, Calgary, Glass

Deanna McGillvray, Canmore, Glass, Ceramics & Printmaking

Dana McLean, Calgary, Glass

Shannon Nelson, Edmonton, Fibre

Irene Rasetti, Calgary, Fibre

Lyndsay Rice, Calgary, Metal

Maria Paula Rodrigues, Edmonton, Clay

Helen Rogers, St. Albert, Mosaics & Mixed Media

Sylvie Roussel-Janssens, Chilliwack, Fibre & Metal

Justine Sawicz, Calgary, Mixed Media

Louise and Imogen Sellman, Edmonton, Fibre

Gordon Spratt, Beaumont, Wood, Stone, Pewter, Acrylic

Return Address:

Alberta Craft Council 10186-106 Street

Edmonton, AB T5J 1H4

Tumbler by Mynthia McDaniel

Renewing ACC Professional Members Photo Gallery: (L to R) Fox pin by Anne Ormerod, Mini Chogak 39 by Un-Jin Cho, Soapstone bears by Allan Waidman