STAFF

 

The staff of the Saskatchewan Craft Council are committed to providing our members with the highest possible level of support and service as, together, we pursue the aims of excellence in craft in the province.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Carmen Milenkovic (she/her)

(306) 653-3616, ext. 5 |

Carmen comes to the Saskatchewan Craft Council with a wealth of experience in both the Arts and the Business communities. She began as a Set Decorator/Art Director in Saskatchewan’s film industry, branching out to include production of documentary and educational programming. During her 25 year tenure with the film and television industry, Carmen served as President of SMPIA, and several positions in the Arts & Culture volunteer sector. She served as chairperson with the CTV Saskatchewan Program Development Fund for 10 years. Her experience includes artist management for Andrea Menard, Project and Event Management with Digital Innovation, and most recently, Vice-President of Operations, Business Development and Marketing for The Travel Gallery, a boutique travel agency in Regina. Carmen brings strong entrepreneurial skills to SCC coupled with a passion for art and culture.

MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR: Alexa Hainsworth (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 1 | 

I love meeting artists. In my job, I interact on a daily basis with our members and with art enthusiasts. Craft really excites me there are so many different types of making processes unique to each craftsperson. I feel really good about the vision and mandate of the SCC, and I love being part of the SCC each day working hard to support Saskatchewan artists and their goals in business and creative endeavors and to promote fine craft in the province. I coordinate annual and interim jury sessions, wholesale and retail market programing including The WinterGreen Fine Craft Market held in Regina.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Saskatchewan Craft Council please do not hesitate to email me with any questions you may have.

 

EXHIBITIONS & EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Steph Canning (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 2 |

Steph is a graduate from the University of Saskatchewan with a BFA in studio art, with a focus on printmaking and sculpture. Steph has been working for the SCC since 2010, and has been an Exhibitions and Education Coordinator since 2011.  In addition to working at the SCC, Steph enjoys printmaking and textiles.  She creates sewn accessories, home decor, and soft sculptures from colourful cotton fabrics and wool felt. She finds great inspiration in Saskatchewan’s growing craft community.

Since Maia’s 18-month leave to continue development in her art career, Steph is currently the sole Exhibitions & Education Coordinator, and is responsible for educational programs and exhibitions in the SCC Gallery, as well as all touring shows including Dimensions.

DESIGN COORDINATOR: Emily Kohlert (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 3 |

Emily M. Kohlert is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Saskatoon, SK with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honors) from the University of Saskatchewan. Informed by her background in photography, printmaking, and music, Kohlert’s design aesthetic is inspired by her love for the typography, texture, and the illustrative flair of the psychedelic era. Her experience includes a visual communications role at a local artist-run production centre, Sr. Graphic Deisgner at an ad agency, and years as a freelancer, making her skill set vast and varied. Well-versed in the language of design, marketing, branding, photography, and video, she is thrilled to support the Saskatchewan Craft Council as Design Coordinator.

In her spare time, Emily is one-half of an electro-pop duo called Actor Director, an avid show-goer and vinyl collector, and enjoys crafting clay and macramé projects.

MARKETING COORDINATOR: Danielle Rybka (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 4 |

Danielle is a creative soul who loves art, dance, music, poetry, and writing. She has a degree in management from the University of Lethbridge, specializing in marketing and human resources, and has years of experience working in sales, marketing, and event management. Danielle is passionate about supporting Saskatchewan craftspeople achieve their dreams and encourage others with their work, as she believes art and craft can unite and strengthen communities. Danielle is thrilled to join the Saskatchewan Craft Council and support local craftspeople and artists who inspire her. She believes in the mission of the SCC, that unique, handmade pieces are valuable and important to our culture. In her free time, she likes oil painting, writing children’s stories, and juggling at the Saskatoon Juggle Club, which she considers circus arts.

PROJECTS COORDINATOR: Leah Moxley-Teigrob  (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 9 > 1 |

Leah obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan with a focus on painting and printmaking. She is primarily a figurative artist and continues to work in paint, mixed media and collage. Her recent works also include linocut printmaking. Aside from her work at the Craft Council, Leah teaches community art classes and has a passion for helping people discover their creative abilities. She also loves to create alongside her son, Royal.

BOUTIQUE & ADMINISTRATION COORDINATOR: Kei Tanaka (she/they)

306.653.3616, ext. 0 |

Kei (she/they) is an artist from Treaty Six Territory. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio arts with a focus on painting and with a sprinkle of theatre design on the side. They have an ongoing illustration series, Animal Friends, and self-published their first picture book, The Nutcracker. Outside of the SCC, they are a props master in many Saskatoon theatre productions, including SUM Theatre’s Theatre in the Park 2023 and 2024, and Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan 2023 season. Kei is always ready to share a smile and happiness through art!
Kei’s name is pronounced like the letter of the alphabet, and they use both she and they pronouns interchangeably.

BOUTIQUE & ADMINISTRATION COODINATOR: Lesley Sutherland (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 0 | info@saskcraftcouncil.org

Lesley has been working for the SCC since 2012, and has been a Boutique & Administration Coordinator since 2017. In addition to working at the SCC, Lesley teaches yoga classes to adults in their prime of life, from 50 to 80+ years. With a life-long passion for fibre, Lesley is also a knitter, hand-spinner, hand-weaver and felt maker. Being part of the Saskatchewan craft community is both inspiring and rewarding to her.

Lesley is our Boutique & Administration Coordinator. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the SCC Fine Craft Boutique and many of the behind the scenes administrative tasks of the SCC.

GALLERY ASSISTANT: Dana Mastel (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 0 |

Dana Mastel is a graduate from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, Alberta with a diploma in painting. Since graduating Dana’s creative focus has developed and grown into a love for printmaking, especially for silkscreen printing on textiles. So much so her and her partner have set up a home based studio in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This home based studio practice has developed over the years and goes by the name of Walden Sweet Textiles. The textiles made and printed in the studio are tea towels, throw pillows, aprons, and sometimes even wall hangings. Each item is hand crafted with care and is printed on cotton/linen and other materials. Dana’s designs are a collection of drawings which are made up of found and familiar objects, textures, as well as familiar animals. These objects, textures, and animals are used for their symbolism, their meaning of memory, and for their overall cuteness. When building these collection she takes combinations of these objects and uses them together for their overall aesthetic appeal and as a focal point into the printed designs.

CURATORIAL ASSISTANT: McCall Kindt (they/she)

306.653.3616, ext. 2

McCall Kindt graduated in 2022 from the University of Saskatchewan with a BFA Honors in Studio Art. They enjoy reading, writing and fencing alongside art making. McCall’s preferred print medium is linocut, and she also makes paintings and paper-craft items. They like to discover new moments in nature and explore how memories and experiences can be shared with others through their art. McCall has joined the SCC as a Curatorial Assistant and is working on the Kaija Sanelma Harris project.

ON LEAVE: EXHIBITIONS & EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Maia Stark (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 2 |

Maia Stark holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts and a Masters of Fine Arts. Since completing these academic pursuits, Maia has also participated in the CARFAC mentorship program, focusing on ceramics. She considers the appreciation and education on craft she has received working with the SCC as a large contribution to her expanding skill set and growing art practice.

Maia and Steph job share the position of Exhibitions & Education Coordinator. They are responsible for educational programs and exhibitions in the SCC Gallery, as well as all touring shows including Dimensions.

ON LEAVE: MARKETING COORDINATOR – Sydney Luther (she/her)

306.653.3616, ext. 4 |

As Marketing Coordinator, Sydney oversees the SCC’s marketing strategy, maintains our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn), compiles both e-newsletters (SaskCreate for members and Talking Craft for the public), manages our website, online store, and member directory, and works with Emily on marketing content creation.

Sydney completed her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Sociology at the University of Saskatchewan in June 2014 and has also completed a certificate in Digital & Social Media from Edwards Executive Education. Sydney was previously the SCC’s Summer Student in 2011, a Gallery Assistant for 3.5 years, and Communications Assistant for 5 years after that. Sydney loves being involved in the arts community in Saskatchewan!