Craft Collaborations 40th Anniversary Fundraiser September 10-October 14, 2020 As part of Alberta Craft Council’s 40th anniversary, we celebrated the endless talent and vision of our members and community partners with a very special exhibition and online event to coincide with the provincial Month of the Artist. As the world abruptly shifted and bowed under the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in early Spring, we launched a series of digital Monday MeetUps as a way to hear from and engage with Albertan craft artists. The response we received was almost universal; orders cancelled and the drive to create ebbing in the face of an uncertain economic future. In support of our community, the Alberta Craft Council came up with a way to inspire, showcase and ultimately pay our artists with a very special project. The Craft Collaborations fundraiser brought artists from across disciplines together as either an existing duo, or adventuresome individual paired with an equally adventurous partner to create one of a kind artworks. This unique fundraiser ensured that each artist pairing had the opportunity to receive 50% of the retail cost of their project and all of Alberta could celebrate the enormous creative talent that this province is rich in.
McCormick, Darren Petersen & Leah Petrucci, Shona Rae & Cindy Lee, Dana Roman & Mary Lynne McCutcheon, Dalia Saafan & Andrea Itzeck, Todd Safronovich & Simon Wroot, Dale Shippit & Keith Walker, Barbara Tipton & Bruce Pearson, Nicole Tremblay & Deanna McGillivray & Wildlife Distillery, Jessica Van De Brand & Qiuchen Ji, Kari Woo & Natalie Gerber, Sara Young & Ramona Stinson, Todd Safronovich & Strathcona Spirits Distillery. In a time of unprecedented economic strain Alberta’s creative community has once again exemplified how incredibly supportive and generous you truly are. Thank you from all of us at the Alberta Craft Council.
I think this work is pretty stellar and it will be credited in changing the direction of my studio practice -Kari Woo
In lieu of our popular Twas the Night (Edmonton) and Let it Snow (Calgary) in person fundraisers, we shifted our focus to an online fundraiser which also included popular curated Private Shopping Nights packages. The 40th anniversary Craft Collaborations fundraiser ran from September 10 – October 14th with bidders from as far away as Ohio and a total of $12,538 raised. Of this amount over $4000 was paid directly back to many of the artists, with many other of the participating artists opting to donate their sales portion of the auction revenue back to the Alberta Craft Council, to a total of artist direct donations of over $6000. The funds raised by the auction will go to the Alberta Craft Council for the continuation of our advocacy and promotion of fine craft in this province and ultimately give back to our members through exhibition and engagement opportunities. We cannot thank you, our supporters, the 47 amazing auction artists and community partners enough for visiting, sharing, bidding, donating. Over the course of the fundraiser we hosted two virtual events filled with lively craft conversations, and although this isn’t the same as our traditional in person fundraisers, we were so delighted to engage with you.
Craft Collaborations was such a success with our artists and supporters that we are making it an annual event. Artists are all ready busy collaborating on pieces for this years fundraiser happening in November/December 2021.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Mindy Andrews & Lisa McGrath, Michelle Atkinson & Janine Samuelson, Erin Berry & Chris Savage, Gillian Boon & Suzette Knudsen, Anna Burger-Martindale & William Miles, Annette ten Cate, Sarabeth Carnat & Jill Nuckles, Dawn Detarando & Brian McArthur, Jennea Frischke & Jackie Anderson, Karen Kryzan & John SmithJones, James Lavoie & Brenda Malkinson, KJ MacAlister & Saskia Aarts, Kim McCollum & Angela Kelly, Siri McCormick & Edward
This page: Hanging By A Thread Study 2, Kari Woo & Natalie Gerber Reversible earring, textured and fabricated sterling silver components, epoxy, cording natural dyed linen thread, cotton cord Opposite page (clockwise): Erin Berry & Chris Savage The Messengers Message Fell on Deaf Ears, Porcelain, underglaze pencil, glaze Angela Kelly and Kim McCollum, Handwoven wool and cotton. Woven on a traditional 4 shaft loom Darren Petersen & Leah Petrucci - Refuge, Blown and cast glass
40 TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE – 2020-21 ALBERTA CRAFT MAGAZINE
37
