Saskatchewan Craft to be Promoted in Seattle

The work of six Saskatchewan craft artists will be receiving exposure in the United States at Seattle’s Pacific Market Centre and the Seattle Summer Gift and Home Accessories Show. “This is a great opportunity for Saskatchewan craft producers,” said Chris Jones, Member Services Co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Craft Council. “It gives these craft artists incredible exposure to the operators of stores and galleries in Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Idaho.” Artists participating are:

• Sue Robertson – ceramics – Outlook
• Jude Marshall and RoseAnne Watier – candle makers – Big River
• Brent Parkin – photographic prints – Regina
• Val Moker – artistic books and reproductions of paintings – Regina
• Judy Wood – photographic prints – Saskatoon
• Jeannette Lussier – artistic tiles – Martensville

“The Saskatchewan Craft Council is organizing the participation of these artists; however, this opportunity would not exist without the work and support of the Canadian Consulate in Seattle and Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). the Canadian Consulate operates Showcase Canada at the Pacific Market Centre, which makes it possible for us to have a presence there at a reasonable cost, STEP played an invaluable role in helping us bring this project to reality. It’s very refreshing to see agencies from two levels of government working to benefit craft producers in Saskatchewan,” said Jones. “The Canadian Consulate in Seattle contacted STEP to promote Showcase Canada to Saskatchewan companies involved in the giftware industry” stated Stacey Sauer, Trade Specialist – Manufacturing for STEP. “We relied upon our partnership with the Saskatchewan Craft Council and it was not long before they had six craft producers participating. It was very encouraging to see all three organizations working together to take advantage of this opportunity... over the next six months Saskatchewan-made giftware and craft products will be seen by the most influential giftware buyers in the northwest US market and we are anxious to see what type of business connections will be made” said Sauer. The Pacific Market Centre is a year-round wholesale market and trade show facility that has 135,000 registered customers. The associated Seattle Summer Gift and Home Accessory Show runs from August 19 to 25th, and attracts commercial buyers from the North West United States and Western Canada.

"Short Poems Tall Cowboys" - Val Moker	"Tulips" - Jeanette Lussier	"Dragonfly Plate" - Susan Robertson
"Silver and Gold" - Judy Wood	"Beeswax Candles" - RoseAnne Watier & Jude Marshall	"Katepwa Lake Opera" - Brent Parkin