circle craft newsletter FALL/WINTER 2016
Meet our newest member Sasha Shkolnik, Juvelisto
Circle Craft is a unique BC Artist Cooperative dedicated to providing opportunities for craftspeople to connect with the community. Formed in 1972, Circle Craft has grown to become a major force in the marketing and promotion of quality craft. Built on a reputation for integrity and quality, both our annual Christmas Market and the shop and gallery on Granville Island are Vancouver traditions for locals and visitors alike., and encompass a wide variety of media and design styles. Circle Craft of self-sustaining and is supported by commission on sales and participation fees,. Our 1994 mission statement reflects the aims of our founding members: “To promote the development recognition, and success of members and their work.” We are proud of our achievement in fulfilling and continuing to work towards our mission: Circle Craft is one of the most successful organizations of it’s kind in North America.
Cover: Credit—Sasha Shkolnik
circle craft SHOW PRODUCER
Paul Yard
SHOW COORDINATOR
Rossanne Clamp
STORE MANAGER
Colin Holmes
14
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Andrea Sanders
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CO-CHAIR
Vesna Jankovic CO-CHAIR GALLERY CHAIR
18 13
Andrea Roberts
SELECTIONS CHAIR
Jason Marlow
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR
Gordon Hutchens
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Svea Vatch
5—Co-Chair’s Report 6/7— Store Report & Staff Profiles 9— Market Report 10—Announcements 13—New Member: Sasha Shkolnik 14/15—Member Spotlights ...
Gordon Hutchens/Den Jones..…… ……..……...14 Roberto Fioravanti/Haejin Lee….................15
17—Market Preview & 45th Anniversary Show 18—In the Gallery
BOARD MEMBERS
Carolyne Curran—Knight
Circle Craft Shop & Gallery 1-1666 Johnston Street Net Loft, Granville Island Vancouver, BC V6H 3S2 t: (604) 669.8021 f: (604) 669.8585 Circle Craft Office 203-1537 West 8th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6J 1T5 t: (604) 801.5220 f: (604) 801.5221
Credit—Hermann Edler
from the co-chairs report from vesna yankovic & andrea roberts
Dear Members, Warm and sunny days are pretty much over, as well as our busiest summer months. The store did very well in sales and many of you have received quite nice cheques, we hope! Thank you very much for supplying the shop with your beautiful works and keeping our business in a good condition. Great additions in promoting the best of craft were our Gallery Shows from May to September. Special thanks to Lina Cutnam "Tree of Life", Laura Carey for curating her group ceramic show "Functional/Sculptural", Lincoln Heller - "Architecture in a Bag", "Coast to Coast" curated by Jason Marlow, and the current show "Hammer, Cut , Stich , Repeat� from a fantastic group of local artists. After a nice summer rest, September is the month that Board goes full speed with "business as usual", planning winter activities and the all-important Christmas Season in the Store. This year, as we have done in the past, the Circle Craft Store will have a booth in the Christmas Market and a detailed plan
will be shaped at our board meeting by the end of this month. In the meantime, you will have received a letter inviting all members to consider submitting their best work over $500.00 for CCC Market and the Store as part of our great Christmas display. We are planning for November and December to have very festive holiday look in the store. Selections and Gallery Committees will work together with Store Staff to achieve the best possible image for the end of the year. The next Board Meeting has been called and will take place in the main office on Wednesday, September 28th with a focus on governing, marketing, succession planning, and communications as the main topics. 2017 is our 45th anniversary year and we will be starting to plan various activities for celebrating Circle Craft. The Board have agreed that summer 2017 will host a gallery show for all members with their best achievements in design (see pg 16 for more info). More details about the show will come after Christmas. As always, the Board
is appreciative of your ideas and suggestions. Right now the Board has 6 Directors. Ideally it should be 9. Five board members are at the end of their 2-year terms; as well, Gordon and Carolyne are at the end of their second 2year term and in fairness, they deserve relief. If we want to see our Co-op be successful longterm, we need Members to join the board, dedicate some time and your creative mind to our great organization. We have fantastic potential! The question is how much you feel that you are truly part of CC! Please make an effort to think what you could do to make things better. Truly yours, Vesna and Andrea Circle Craft | Co-Chairs
circle craft newsletter
from the shop Another summer has finally ended
- where did the time go? Circle Craft store saw a significant increase of customer presence for summer 2016, most notably Americans tourists. I would like to personally thank all of my staff for their dedication and hard work. In addition, I would also like to thank the members for taking the time out of their busy schedules to bring in inventory. Revenues for this summer have been fantastic; our totals for June, July, and August are $191,268.85. Colin Holmes Circle Craft | Store Manager
staff profiles:
meet the people working for our membership
David Camisa
Inventory Coordinator
David is your go-to guy when you bring in new stock to the store—or if you have any questions regarding your inventory. He currently holds a second position with WestJet , so when he is not at the store, you can find him using some of his travel benefits to explore one of his favorite travel destinations— San Francisco, London, or Paris. Next stop on his list is Japan, where he hopes to travel in the next year. He also enjoys music of all kinds, and creating his own artwork. David has shown his art in exhibitions across Canada, the United States, and in Europe, including an upcoming group show in San Diego. circle craft newsletter
Emily Cowan
Sales Associate
Emily has become a staple at the Circle Craft store since she started in May. If you stop by Monday through Friday, you will see her smiling face around the shop floor. Like David, Emily is an accomplished artist herself. She does many types of art for fun, and she produces a comic called ’Boundary’, which she updates twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. Aside from her art, Emily enjoys reading, especially realistic fiction, swimming and ‘pool lounging’, as well as cooking. Her specialty is piemaking, everything from fruit pies to chicken pot-pie, but her favorite kind to make are summer-fruit pies.
Credit—Greg Kawczynski
market report The planning for the 43rd Annual Circle Craft Christmas Market is in full swing! This years’ show promises to impress even the most seasoned Market visitor with some exciting new additions. We have a whole new category of exhibitors—”Grapes & Grains”, where we will be welcoming craft wineries, breweries, and distilleries into the mix! So far, the exhibitors in this category include Ampersand Distilling Co.—a familyfounded, all organic distillery from Cowichan Valley; Pemberton Distillery—whose award-winning products include Pemberton potato vodka, gin, absinthe, schnapps, liqueurs, whisky, and brandy; Montakarn Estate Winery— a new winery based out of Oliver, BC with a signature ‘Tippy Toe’ blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier; and Dragon Mist Distillery—whose products include not only vodka, gin, and liqueurs, but feature Baijiu, a traditional Chinese hard liquor.
market facts
On average, the Circle Craft Market has around 40,000 visitors annually
This year, we have over 300 exhibitors from across Canada
The first Circle Craft Market was held in “The Cultch”, with rotating artisans over 3 weeks in December. This year’s show in the Convention Centre takes up over 135,000 square feet of space, and the whole event takes place over five days.
In the 2016 line-up, we have 28 Circle Craft Members participating.
Featured in on this years’ advertising campaign is work from Gordon Hutchens, Vividworks, Mikel Lefler, Jola V, ChocolaTas, and Mally Designs.
new exhibitors This year’s show has over 60 new exhibitors. These include 45 just from British Columbia, and span across every medium, from food, pottery, and visual art, to jewellery, books, and home décor. We would like to welcome these new exhibitors into what looks like it will be a great 2016 show! See the article on page 17 to learn more about the new exhibitors being featured in this years’ Market Preview Show at the Circle Craft shop.
announcements We have recently done a call– out to members for interest in submitting works to the Circle Craft store booth at this years’ Market. If you are interested in taking part, please e-mail andrea@circlecraft.net to confirm your participation by September 30th and include a brief description of what kind of artwork you are planning to exhibit. Price point for pieces submitted must be over $500 retail. Please include in your confirmation how many pieces and dimensions (if applicable). Your work must be sent to the store by Friday, November 4th so that it may be entered into inventory prior to the start of the Market. Please note: if you bring your work directly to the store booth at the Market, it will not be accepted for sale! We will be sending out more details shortly, so make sure you get your name on the list of interested members!
market This year’s Christmas Market will take place Wednesday to Sunday, November 9—13, 2016. Location: New Vancouver Convention Centre West, Hall C 1055 Canada Place Vancouver, BC V67C 0C3
Please keep us up to date on address or e-mail changes!
We have been making some great improvements to the gallery space in the store! Display materials have been upgraded, which include newly painted plinths, as well as improved lighting for the gallery spaces. To submit a proposal to show your work in the gallery, please visit: circlecraft.net/apply-for-a-show
Tell us what you want to know about, or tell us your news that you would like to share! All information can be sent to andrea@circlecraft.net.
web We have been working hard to update our website! If you haven't done so already, please take some time to review your member profile page—if you would like to update your information and portfolio photos, contact andrea@circlecraft.net for information on how to submit!
shop For information about your stock in the store contact David at david@circlecraft.net.
For information about membership with Circle Craft and its benefits, visit circlecraft.net/membership
Hours: Wednesday—Friday 10am—9pm Saturday 10am—7pm Sunday 10am—5pm
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You can also contact Andrea for information on the “Members” feature, where you can find copies of these newsletters, meeting minutes, member mail-outs, and other member-related documents.
The next deadline for Selections applications is February 28, 2017.
Credit—Ted Jolda
“..in everyday life, we don’t always see the most precious things right away”
Sasha first studied at the State Art School in the Ukraine where she learned many different forms of art. She designed theatrical props, painted with oil and moved into making ceramics just to find herself creating jewellery out of clay and porcelain. It was then she knew that in order to express her talent to the best of her abilities she needed to learn metal arts. Upon finding her new home in Canada it was then that she realized that she must pursue her jewellery passion. Sasha went back to school to study Jewellery Art and Design and continued on that path for nearly twenty years working as a professional goldsmith for some of the most renown jewellers in Vancouver, BC. Sasha notices the little details in our everyday life that deserve awe and admiration. Her “Nuts and Pods” collection was inspired by the idea of a treasure hidden inside a pod, an object of beauty and affection nestled in between two halves of a shell. Just like in everyday life, we don’t always see the most precious things right away, they stay humble until finally discovered and admired. Created after the objects found in nature, this rustic organic line features very recognizable and familiar pods as well as some exotic kinds. Made in silver or bronze they vary from looking “raw” in white unfinished silver with polished highlights to different shades of patina over bronze. Each piece is set with different beads, pearls or gemstones.
sasha
shkolnik new member
member spotlights
gordon hutchens World renowned Canadian potter Gordon Hutchens Combines art, alchemy and beauty in his work. ‘The recreation of geology’, compounded with his drive to create things awesome is the inspiration behind his work. One cannot deny his skill; when you see his vases, they are truly a marvel. Like most Modern Masters, Gordon makes it look easy, however the recreation of geology is labor intensive, meticulous and is a very multifaceted process. Everything is done from scratch, right down to mixing of the clay bodies. Gordon's Aqua Vases are made using a high temperature firing (2000°F) followed by a slow cooling process. When the glazes are exposed to the intense inferno of the kiln, the zinc silicate starts to crystallize, which gives it that wonderful luster, texture, and edge. With the combination of aquamarine blend- titanium, cobalt and copper turn to their rich colors, and the effect is truly magnificent. If you’re a collector of fine things such as a painting by John Constable, a Faberge egg, or a Tiffany lamp, then it’s only natural to have a Hutchens vase. Gordon does a wide range of work in addition to his crystallize glazes, including wood firing, soda firing, raku and earthenware luster glazes - Written by Colin Holmes
Vividworks has been the name I’ve worked under since the early 90’s, it represents not only the products that I put the Vividworks label on but also the belief I have in quality handmade work with artistic integrity. My work is a continuation of many years of thought and experiment in design, beginning with an early fascination with drawing, then a degree in fine arts in the UK followed by a long period in metal sculpture. This may seem an odd road to take to arrive at hat and accessory design, but the form and style in my work are a continuation of purity of line and appreciation of fine colors and materials. Inspiration is from everyday objects, both natural and artificial – good design is to be found in all sorts of places. Being a professional artist means working long hours alone; having the opportunity to meet other artists and customers in craft organizations and at craft fairs has been a very rewarding experience. I also enjoy the understanding that Canadians still have for what it means to be an independent crafts person and the true value of handmade goods. I still feel the excitement of creativity In design, my life would be incomplete without it, and the thrill of sharing that with customers and other artists brings a great deal of joy and satisfaction.
vividworks den jones
roberto fioravanti If you ask me, I can't even tell you how many tools I have - pliers, files, hammers, tweezers, gravers, burrs, they are so many I often have to squeeze my brain trying to remember where they are, but I can easily describe in detail how to use each of them. There is a jewellery supply store in Milano, it is still there after 30 years and if we go together I can even introduce you to Carlo who sold me my first tools: a pair of flat pliers and an half round file. At the beginning of my apprenticeship I didn't have tools so I learned my first filing and bending borrowing them from my teacher who kindly recommended a different combination at each step I was learning. His tools where all worn out. Some of them ridiculously overused, had lost all their grip, revealing their metallic bone. Filing was a nonsense, with an half round file so overused that looked like a mirror and pliers so polished I couldn't hold a thing. At the time I couldn't understand how good they were, irons from the time when a well-made tool was prized, and craftsmen took their time to make them properly. One day, I arrived to the shop after spending my savings with Carlo, radiant in excitement with my brand new pliers, I knew it was going to be a success! My teacher was smiling. Suddenly I was able to grasp the ridiculously small bezel and file it with a squeaking new file, so sharp you could shave on a Sunday. Vigorously, I started to file on my project, I knew it was going to be fast, finally fast, no more fiddling with those old nails of his. For the first time I was able to hold in position my piece and I could hear the filings falling down into the catch tray. Such a satisfaction! It didn't took long to realize my tools were too sharp and I was marring my work beyond repair. I had to redo my bezel three times, trying to hold it with reduced pressure, filing it with the care you reserve for a newborn. Nothing was working. I kept borrowing tools from my teacher, bought more new and learned from him how to condition them. Almost 30 years have passed since I left my 7 year apprenticeship, and my tools start to work properly now.
Haejin Lee is currently an active ceramic artist in City of Vancouver. Haejin has been a ceramic artist in Seoul, South Korea for over 10 years. She graduated from Hong-Ik University in Korea, received Master degree in Ceramic Art. Her ceramic sculptures won Grand Prize in 2009 at Seoul Press Ceramic Competition in Korea, Special Award in 2012 at Taiwan Ceramic Biennale and many other awards in South Korea and other countries. She was later scouted by Kwangjuyo, renowned traditional Korean ceramics company in South Korea, while she was receiving her MFA at Hong-Ik University. Haejin Lee participated as a Head designer for ‘Modern-Line’ at the design department, the team developed styles which reinterpreted Korean traditional shapes to modern sensibility. She moved to Vancouver BC and opened her own private studio that focuses on functional tableware. Haejin's designs are modern and simple; however, she brings out a unique, one of a kind feel to her designs. Presently, her art pieces are displayed at the Granville Island ceramic galleries, and distributed to many shops in British Columbia. Furthermore, she participates in many of the craft shows, including our own Circle Craft Market!
haejin lee
Credit— Cath Wood & Satu Brampton
circle craft 45th anniversary show july 6—september 3, 2017 Big things are brewing at the Circle Craft Gallery! To celebrate the landmark 45th Anniversary of Circle Craft, we are planning a special show for the busy summer months at the store.
special, one-of-a-kind pieces. This is reflected in the mission statement of the organization—”To promote the development recognition, and success of members and their work.”
Circle Craft has a long history of celebrating the art of fine craft and the people who dedicate their lives to producing
This show is an opportunity to do just that—celebrate the work of our membership, who have built Circle Craft into the
upcoming events
Co-op it is today. We are asking for submissions of your stand-out work.
If you have not done so already, e-mail andrea@circlecraft.net to put your name on the list of participating members! More information will follow, but we wanted to make sure all of you were aware of this great upcoming show!
market preview show october 13—november 4, 2016 The Market Preview Show shines a spotlight on several of the new exhibitors at this year’s market. The show will take place at the Circle Craft store preceding the Market, beginning on October 13th and running until November 4th. Come and preview some of the great new additions to this year’s market!
cal, and only improve after years of use and love.
Allyson Simmie Metal Arts Allyson is a jeweller and sculptor from Blandford, Nova Scotia. She has travelled extensively across Canada, including much of the Arctic, observing the landscape and collecting rough stones that reflect different aspects of the natural world. Her work explores the theme of the Canadian and Arctic landscapes.
Strathcona Stockings Ryley O’Byrne started her business in 2010 in Roberts Creek, BC. Every print on these ready-to-wear garments is original --- painted, collaged, photographed or drawn at her studio or on various travels. Her work has been featured in fashion magazines across the globe, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Flare.
Cosman & Webb Townships Organic Cosman & Webb produces an organic, unblended, single forest maple syrup direct from the Cosman family farm in southern Quebec. The farm has been certified organic for over two decades. East Van Light Dan began building his handcrafted vintage industrial table lamps in 2013. All of the hardwoods that are used are found in the BC Fraser Valley or Vancouver Lower Mainland, sourced mainly from suppliers who specialize in tree salvaging. LEO LEBEL LEO LEBEL is run by Alanda Nay of Salt Spring Island. Her quality, timeless leather goods are durable and practi-
Karolina-Anna Hajna Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Karolina-Anna is inspired by the natural growth and decay of underwater sea life, specifically coral. Her work includes ceramic lanterns, plant pots, and air planters; each slipcast and carefully hand-carved.
Symmetry & Grace Linen is the fabric of choice for Dara Dammann - the variety of the textures, weaves and weights that it comes in, how beautifully it ages and stands the test of time and the versatility of the fabric. Her pillows, scarves, bags, and tunics are all hand dyed and lovingly crafted. Xenis Gallery Handmade out of a variety of woods including Canadian Maple, the Xenis team have turned their love for the arts into unique, collectible characters. The dolls are dressed in individually tailored, original design.
in the gallery “Hammer, Cut, Stitch, Repeat” Featuring work from Rachael Ashe, Nell Burns, Su Foster, Patsy Kolesar, and Simone Richmond. An exploration of repetition to achieve pattern and form in fine craft. With an emphasis on wearable art, Hammer, Cut, Stitch, Repeat brings together artists working in metal, paper, and textile. Individually, each artist's practice has a focus on repeating one action over and over; something that would drive most people mad. For this group of artists, repetition becomes a vessel for creativity and it is within that place that they push themselves further to explore their craft.
September 8th to October 10th
2 0 1 6
Student Scholarship Award Show April 7—May 2
“Tree of Life” Lina Cutnam May 5—May 30
“Architecture in a Bag” Lincoln Heller June 30—August 1
“Coast to Coast” Curated by Jason Marlow August 4—September 5
circle craft newsletter
“Functional/Sculptural” Curated by Laura Carey June 2—June 27
Christmas Market Preview October 13—November 4