SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT COUNCIL e-News
Vol. 1 No. 21 - Friday, Oct 19, 2007

 



November 2, 3 & 4, 2007 CONEXUS ARTS CENTRE, Regina
Please contact Chris Jones for information.

Dimensions
A reminder that the 2008 Dimensions will have the theme of "Growth". All entries will be juried on the twin criteria of excellence and on the treatment of this theme. The application material will be sent out in the New Year, but it is not too early to begin thinking about your Dimensions: Growth entry. For more information, see http://www.saskcraftcouncil.org/activities.php

Wintergreen
This year's Wintergreen is Nov 2-4 at the Conexus Arts Centre. In the time leading up to Wintergeen, a tabloid newspaper will be distributed through Regina businesses to highlight "what's new at Wintergreen". We'll answer your question right now: "Yes, we know the pages are in the wrong order." This was a printer's error that resulted in a much reduced cost for the publication (and there was not time to have it reprinted). Also - Guides and Scouts will be distributing big, paper Wintergreen shopping bags at Regina malls the next two weekends. These will double as dollar off coupons. Speaking of which - Wintergreen exhibitors - have you distributed your dollar off and complementary tickets yet?

EXPO 2008
Expo will be in Saskatoon in April. If you would like to be considered for participation this year, please let Les or Judy know by Nov 13.

Volunteers wanted at St. Paul's Hospital: The St. Paul's Hospital has established a program to use the creation of art to help in the healing process at the hospital. They are looking for artists and craftspeople who would be willing to volunteer for this program - essentially to make art or craft in various public areas of the hospital. For more information, contact:
Marlessa Wesolowski - Artist in Residence - St. Paul's Hospital at 665.5834 or marlessa.wesolowski@saskatoonhealthregion.ca

Marketing Opportunity in Saskatoon
The Riversdale Business Improvement District is organizing a craft and art market tied to the Farmer's Market (in the Ideas Inc. Building attached to the new indoor Market). Tables will be available on Saturdays and Thursdays from Oct 20th to the week before Christmas. For more information, contact Jane Basinski Gray at 242.2711 or 242.2303 or janegray@shaw.ca

Korea Calling
The Cheongju International Craft Biennale, South Korea, is a series of exhibitions, competitions, fairs and symposiums of national and international craft works throughout the month of October. With the participation of nearly 3,000 artists from 60 different countries, the event carries great significance and promotes knowledge of the "Jikji", the oldest metal printing panel (which predates the Gutenberg version by 78 years). Craft is celebrated and honoured in an astonishing number of events throughout the span of the Biennale. The event draws over 500,000 visitors from around the world.

Canada has been asked to be the Guest country for the 2009 show. They are looking for marketers, exhibitions, demonstrations, academic exchanges and more. Of particular interest to the Koreans is the contrast between the individualized practice and innovation of Canadians and the traditional, inter-generational practice more typical of Asia.

The Canadian Craft Federation will be taking the lead in organizing Canada's participation. Planning is just now getting underway - so if you've got any ideas on what might be included, call Mark at 653.3616 ext. 27, and think big. A delegation from the Canada just returned from a fact-finding visit to the 2007 show. They report that this event is unlike anything in North America in terms of its size, impact, level of organization, budget, and capacity. As a reference point - the physical area being made available to Canada as guest country is a larger square footage than that taken up by Wintergreen. In terms of the impact of the event on the city of Cheongju - Tom McFall of the Alberta Craft Council reports that "it's like the Calgary Stampede going on in Calgary - except it makes the Stampede seem chintzy and poorly organized."

To see more about the Biennale visit: http://cheongjubiennale.or.kr

Generosity of Craftspeople Quantified
164 members of the SCC responded to a survey asking how much professional time and product you donate to the community. The results were released in a press release on Sept 31 - and are impressive.

The Bottom Line
Saskatchewan Craftspeople contributed more than a quarter million dollars in professional time and product to the community and charities last year.
Key findings include:
•18.9% of craftspeople volunteered to conduct Craft education in Saskatchewan schools last year. In total, 468 hours of instructional time was provided on a volunteer basis. At a rate of $30 per hour, this is the equivalent of $14,040 in craft education provided on a volunteer basis.
•35.4% of craftspeople volunteered to provide Craft education in community settings such as community clubs, seniors' facilities and public events. They provided 2,616 hours of volunteer instructional time in this community setting. At a rate of $30 per hour, this is the equivalent of $78,480 in craft education provided on a volunteer basis.
•79.3% of craftspeople donated their craft and art to community groups to be used in fundraising. Each donating craftsperson donated an average of 6 pieces. The retail value of these donations averaged $1,049.30 per craftsperson who donated work to charity. In total, $136,409 worth of Craft and art was donated by these 130 individual craftspeople. These donations were used by charitable groups for their own fundraising (e.g. raffles, silent auctions, and auctions).
•In total, Saskatchewan craftspeople contributed $228,929 in time and product in the past year.
•55.3% of craftspeople reported that the majority of their charitable donations occurred in Saskatoon or Regina, 14.9% occurred in smaller cities, and 29.8% occurred in rural areas.

SCC Gallery Exhibitions
Last weekend to see "Transforming Light: The Power of Glass", works by the Saskatoon Glassworkers Guild. Show closes Sunday, October 21 at 5 pm.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION
“60 Years of MAGC and The Year of Craft” Oct 26 to Dec 9
Opening Reception - Friday, Oct 26, 7 to 9 pm

To commemorate 60 years of the Metal Arts Guild and to celebrate The Year of Craft, the Metal Arts Guild presents a juried travelling exhibition. The show expresses “a clear and focused illustration of contemporary Canadian Metal work in our time.” Regina artist, Melody Armstrong, represents Saskatchewan with “Amasia” from her Erosion Series.

SCC's Upstairs Gallery
"Artists Eclectic - Inaugural Exhibition"
A group exhibition by visual artists: Chris Banman, Annette Beerman, Marie de Montez, Jean Dudley, Charlene Gaudet, Wes Schaffer, Charles Sebestyen, Loretta Skipper, Paul Trottier, Roger Trottier.
Reception: Friday, Oct 26, 7 to 9pm
Public Exhibition: Saturday, Oct 27, 1 to 5pm
Third Floor at 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon

Opportunities, News & Notices
An Invitation!
Zane Wilcox - Fourth Annual - Studio Sale and Kiln Opening
Please stop by anytime between 12 noon and 5pm (Kiln opening at 1pm)
221 - 31st Street West, Saskatoon; 306.653.2656

Best in Show!
Saskatchewan Wildlife Art Association  http://www.saskwildlifeart.com/ held a competition at the Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. Lise Olson's piece, titled "Rivals Beware" won "Best in Show"! It is a carving of a walrus with large tusks. It is a mixed medium piece with the walrus being carved out of Brazilian soapstone and the tusks being shaped out of deer antler.

Canadian Conference of the Arts Bulletin 33/07
Supreme Court Decision A Relief to Charities
On Friday, Oct 5, 2007, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision on the case of the Amateur Youth Soccer Association. The case revolved around the quest by this Ontario based organization to be recognized as a charity... . The Federal Court ruling created some understandable anxiety within the arts sector due to similar provisions within the Income Tax Act for national arts service organizations. With the support of the Muttart Foundation, the Federal Court’s decision was appealed by Imagine Canada, the umbrella organization for thousands of non profit and charities, with the Canadian Conference of the Arts a recognized party to the appeal since, if the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Court position, the charitable status for hundreds of arts organizations could indeed have been in jeopardy.
The text of the entire decision can be found here.

CCA Bulletin 34/07 Speech from the Throne -
Little new: Copyright and the Infrastructure Program on the Agenda

On Oct 16, 2007, the Governor General, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, delivered the Speech from the Throne, marking the opening of the second session of the 39th Parliament of Canada.

The Speech, which is an outline of the Government’s plans for the Parliamentary session, included five general areas:
• Strengthening Canada’s Sovereignty and Place in the World
• Strengthening the Federation and our Democratic Institutions
• Providing Effective Economic Leadership for a Prosperous Future
• Tackling Crime and Strengthening the Security of Canadians
• Improving the Environment and the Health of Canadians

Of particular note to the arts and culture sector are two specific references to our sector: “Our Government will improve the protection of cultural and intellectual property rights in Canada, including copyright reform.” and,

‘Our Government will announce an infrastructure , the Building Canada Plan, to support our long term growth…..The result will be safer roads and bridges, shorter commutes, more competitive business, improved cultural infrastructure and a better quality of life for Canadians.’

The Speech also affirmed the government of Canada’s commitment to linguistic duality by developing a strategy for the next phase of the Action Plan for Official Languages.

The Government also intends to restrain the use of the federal spending power in areas of exclusive provincial jurisdiction. When it develops new federal programs in these areas, it will only do so with the consent of the provinces. There will also be an opting out provision and appropriate compensation payments to those who elect this route.

Very little to hang the cultural hat on in the Throne Speech, but then, when is the last time we have had any major reference to culture in such parliamentary ritual?

Steven Loft to be first Aboriginal curator-in-residence at the National Gallery of Canada
Ottawa, October 11, 2007 – The Canada Council for the Arts and the National Gallery of Canada announced today that Winnipeg curator Steven Loft, will be the first to benefit from the pilot project that will provide him with a two-year residency at the National Gallery of Canada. Mr. Loft will begin his residency in December 2007.

CRAFTSPEOPLE NEEDED FOR ARTSSMARTS PROJECT
We’re putting together an application to the ArtsSmarts program for a project involving mask-making with Grade 7 or 8 students. To plan the project and application we need expressions of interest from craftspeople who would like to work (for pay) on making masks with kids. There is no guarantee we’ll get the grant, but with a well done proposal we have a good chance. Send us your one-page resume and a short description of your mask making technique and ideas for a two day workshop. Contact Judy Haraldson at 866.653.3616 ext. 25 or scc.exhibitions@sasktel.net or 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 1B5.

The Metal Arts Guild of Canada - Deadline: Nov 30. The Guild, in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, invites members to submit up to two pieces for consideration in a juried exhibition surrounding the theme of WAIT/WEIGHT. The exhibition will be shown in the International Wing of Toronto’s Pearson Airport. This call is open to members of the Guild only, but artists may become members at the time of their submission. For more information and to fill out the online application, visit the Metal Arts Guild of Canada website here: www.metalarts.on.ca/callforentry.htm

International Conference on the Crafts and Modernity. Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University is pleased to be hosting the NeoCraft Conference, 23 - 25 November, 2007, as part of the Canadian Crafts Federation's Craft Year 2007/Annee des metiers d'art.

NeoCraft Information: www.neocraft.ca. Conference Fee: Regular $200/Student Fee $100 (includes all papers, keynote speakers, reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, and bus tours).

Craft Sale and Trade Show
November 3, 2007, 10am to 4pm, Grant Road School, 2501 Grant Road, Tables: $50 for one, $80 for two
Information: Laura Ambrose, 761-1510, laura.ambrose@uregina.ca

MacKenzie Art Gallery Employment Opportunities
The MacKenzie Art Gallery Has a Variety of Employment Opportunities

Current openings include:
Manager of Finance and Operations
Gallery Shop Manager
Development Officer (Individual Giving, Membership, Fundraising Events & Volunteer Development)
Development Officer (Corporate, Grants and Foundations, and Facility Coordination)
Warhol Exhibition Front-of-House Coordinator (term position)
Gallery Shop Sales Assistants (casual position)

On the Website, you can click on each job for complete descriptions and closing dates. www.mackenzieartgallery.sk.ca

A Friendly Reminder
Our Email Addresses Have Changed
Board of Directors - scc.board@sasktel.net
Mark Stobbe - scc.director@sasktel.net (Executive Director)
Gale Hagblom Alaie - scc.editor@sasktel.net (Communications & Publications Coordinator)
Judy Haraldson & Leslie Potter - scc.exhibitions@sasktel.net ( Exhibitions & Education Coordinators)
Chris Jones - scc.memberservices@sasktel.net (Member Services Coordinator)
Sherry Luther - scc.accounting@sasktel.net (Financial Comptroller)
Donna Potter - saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net (Administrative Assistant)

FINE CRAFT GUIDE
The Fine Craft Guide (FCG) is one of the jewels of the SCC website and we want you to know that we have taken steps to increase traffic to this listing.We want to thank each of the craft artists who participated in the FCG and invite all of our members to join in. Registration is simple and our Communication's staff is available to help you. Please contact Gale at scc.editor@sasktel.net or call 653.3616 ext. 23 with any inquiries you might have.

SCC Gallery Exhibitions
CURRENT EXHIBITION
"Transforming Light: The Power of Glass" Exhibition by the Saskatoon Glassworkers Guild
Show Extended to Sunday, Oct 21
Last chance to see the exceptional glass pieces and the many ways they transform light.

UPCOMING EXHIBITION
“60 Years of MAGC and The Year of Craft” Oct 26 to Dec 9, 2007
Opening Reception - Friday, Oct 26, 7 to 9 pm

To commemorate 60 years of the Metal Arts Guild and to celebrate The Year of Craft, the Metal Arts Guild presents a juried travelling exhibition. The show expresses “a clear and focused illustration of contemporary Canadian Metal work in our time.” Regina artist, Melody Armstrong, represents Saskatchewan with “Amasia” from her Erosion Series.

Opportunities, News & Notices
CRAFTSPEOPLE NEEDED FOR ARTSSMARTS PROJECT
We’re putting together an application to the ArtsSmarts program for a project involving mask-making with Grade 7 or 8 students. To plan the project and application we need expressions of interest from craftspeople who would like to work (for pay) on making masks with kids. There is no guarantee we’ll get the grant, but with a well done proposal we have a good chance. Send us your one-page resume and a short description of your mask making technique and ideas for a two day workshop. Contact Judy Haraldson at 866.653.3616 ext. 25 or scc.exhibitions@sasktel.net or 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 1B5.

Major Change in Funding:
On Thursday, Premier Calvert announced a $4.5 million increase in Arts and Culture funding. Details of the announcement can be found at www.gov.sk.ca/news and at www.artsboard.sk.ca.
The announcement should be good for the SCC and its members. The items that directly affect us are:

  • Along with four other “cultural industries” groups, our core PCO grant (which comes from SaskLotteries money administered by SaskCulture) is moved over to the Saskatchewan Arts Board for administration and becomes financed by tax dollars rather than lottery profits. The amount available to the five groups is increased by $350,000. This means that the SCC will likely get a funding increase.
  • The mandate for this funding will have a clear cut commercial purpose. With additional funding, we will be mandated to do even more to increase the commercial and market opportunities for Craft producers.
  • The Saskatchewan Cultural Industries Development Fund is being eliminated and replaced with a larger fund to assist with marketing. In the past, the SCC has been receiving $33,000 per year from this fund to do things like supplement Wintergreen and SHF advertising. New initiatives such as the Fishing Lodge Catalogue were paid for from this Fund. In the future, we will be able to apply for assistance on a wider range of activity. In addition, individual craftspeople will be able to apply for money to assist with marketing and business planning.
  • The Saskatchewan Arts Board will be receiving a $2.5 million general increase.  Amongst other things, this will substantially increase the number of individual artist grants that it can award.

There are many details to be worked out in the weeks ahead, Oct 4 was a “good day” for Craftspeople – along with visual artists, musicians, writers, and many others in the cultural sector.

Job Posting
The Canada Council for the Arts is seeking a Director, Arts Disciplines.  This is a new position resulting from an organizational design review that recommended restructuring the existing Arts Division into two separate divisions, Arts Disciplines and Arts Development. The current Director of the Arts Division, André Courchesne, will serve as Director, Arts Development. For more information, please contact Manon Dugal, Director, Human Resources at 1.800.263.5588 extension 5123 or 613.566.4414 extension 5123 or by e-mail to manon.dugal@canadacouncil.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Canada Council plan sets directions for the future
Montreal, October 2, 2007 – The Canada Council for the Arts, Canada’s national arts funding agency, has released its new strategic plan, a statement of values and directions which will guide the Council’s activities over the next three to five years.

The plan follows more than six months of consultations with over 1,700 artists, arts organizations, other funders and members of the general public across Canada. It will form the basis of a more detailed action plan to be released by the Canada Council early in 2008. The strategic plan is posted on the Canada Council’s web site .

Canada Council announces winners of the Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Awards
Ottawa, October 3, 2007 – Interdisciplinary artist Daniel Barrow, author Jocelyn Boisvert, celtic and jazz singer Teresa Doyle, media artist Zoe Leigh Hopkins, director and poet/performer Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, dancer Chanti Wadge and BGL, composed of sculptors Jasmin Bilodeau, Sébastien Giguère, Nicolas Laverdière, are the winners of the Canada Council for the Arts Victor Martyn Lynch­Staunton Awards.

The annual awards, worth $15,000 each, recognize outstanding mid-career artists in the seven disciplines funded by the Canada Council: music, theatre, dance, visual arts, media arts, writing and publishing and interdisciplinary arts. The Prizes were created using funds from a generous bequest made by the late Victor Martyn Lynch­Staunton to the Canada Council. Visit the Canada Council image gallery at: www.canadacouncil.ca/news/imagegallery .

Provincial Profiles of Cultural and Heritage Activities
Provincial Profiles of the Cultural and Heritage Activities in 2005, a new report in the Statistical Insights on the Arts series from Hill Strategies Research, provides insights into the number and percentage of provincial residents 15 or older who: Attended live performances; Visited art galleries and other museums; Visited historic sites and other heritage organizations; Read a newspaper, magazine or book; Watched movies or videos; or Listened to recorded music. The full report is available at http://www.hillstrategies.com/resources_details.php?resUID=1000237.

Call for Expressions of Interest from Visual Artists* - The Saskatchewan Arts Board and Canadian Western Agribition need visual artists to work on an education project on the Agribition grounds in Regina Nov 19 to 23.  The contracted artist(s) will work with Gr. 4 to 8 students to create a sculpture or mural on-site using recyclable materials. Agribition will provide the required materials. ••By Oct 19 contact Dianne Warren, Arts and Learning Consultant, Saskatchewan Arts Board; Phone: 306.787.4659 (Regina); Toll-free: 800.667.7526 (SK only) Email: dianne@artsboard.sk.ca <mailto:dianne@artsboard.sk.ca>

The Metal Arts Guild of Canada - Deadline: Nov 30. The Guild, in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, invites members to submit up to two pieces for consideration in a juried exhibition surrounding the theme of WAIT/WEIGHT. The exhibition will be shown in the International Wing of Toronto’s Pearson Airport. This call is open to members of the Guild only, but artists may become members at the time of their submission. For more information and to fill out the online application, visit the Metal Arts Guild of Canada website here: www.metalarts.on.ca/callforentry.htm

The Hand Wave Gallery celebrates 25 years of promoting and selling the work of many of Saskatchewan's finest artists and craftspeople through feature exhibitions in the Gallery and the availability of fine craft in the retail shop. Join June Jacobs this Sunday between 2 and 5 pm at a opening reception of "25 and Holding ", a mixed media exhibition of the Gallery artists. Take a drive to Meacham and bring a friend to share the experience .. www.handwave.ca

Dale Anne Potter has a piece titled, "Coloured Trash" in Textile / Art- And Now For Something Completely Different Part II in It's Not a Deli Art Gallery, Toronto. Exhibition Show Preview: www.textileart_preview.cachelan.com

Cathryn Miller has had two works included in the upcoming Lark Books publication, "500 Handmade Books." The release date is early 2008.

Mel Bolen is having a solo exhibition of new work entitled "Summer Salt," Oct 19 - Nov 3, 2007 at the Lando Gallery, 11130 - 105 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB. The opening reception is Sat, Oct 20, 2 - 4 pm. View images at: www.landogallery.com

Ten Canadian ceramic artists have been invited to participate in Fuping Pottery Art Village, one hour from Xian. Canada will make up one-third of the North American Museum. Les Maning (International Ceramic Academy) was responsible to select the artists. Charley Farrero accepted the invitation to attend from Oct 1 - Nov 6, 2007. Visit www.flicam.com for details.

Ottawa, September 18, 2007 – The Canada Council for the Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of Pierre Arpin, currently director of the Winnipeg Art Gallery, as the Canada Council’s new Head of Visual Arts, effective November 19, 2007.

Media Release: September 2007
Canada participates in the Cheongju International Craft Biennale, South KoreaThe Canadian Crafts Federation/Fédération canadienne des métiers d’art (CCF/FCMA) is proud to announce that Canada has been selected as the official guest country for the 2009 Cheongju International Craft Biennale (CICB).  This festival, held in Cheongju, South Korea, is an international event featuring more than 3000 artists from over 50 participating nations across the globe. Over half a million attendees are expected.

In preparation for our guest country status, the CCF/FCMA will present a ‘preview’ exhibition during the 2007 CICB this October.  A selection of work from the highly acclaimed “All About Alberta” exhibition (organized by the Alberta Craft Council) will be on display to give a taste of what Canada has to offer in 2009.  

The CCF/FCMA is currently celebrating our overwhelmingly successful Craft Year 2007 project. This festival of events features over 625 fine craft related activities of all shapes and sizes clear across the country. We are so pleased to be branching out internationally to promote Canadian craft in this special, celebratory year.

SaskCulture’s AGM and Member Consultation will take place October 20, 2007 in Regina at the Ramada Hotel.

International Conference on the Crafts and Modernity. Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University is pleased to be hosting the NeoCraft Conference, 23 - 25 November, 2007, as part of the Canadian Crafts Federation's Craft Year 2007/Annee des metiers d'art.

Over 60 Speakers including:

• Louise Lemieux Berube Founding Director of Montreal Centre for Contemporary Textiles
• Christopher Breward Deputy Head of Research, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
• Uma Chandru Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore
• Grace Cochrane Senior Curator, Australian decorative arts and design, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia
• Alan Elder Curator, Canadian crafts, decorative arts and design, Canadian Museum of Civilization

NeoCraft Information: www.neocraft.ca. Before October 6th, 2007 Conference Fee: Regular $150/Student Fee $75. After October 6th, 2007 Conference Fee: Regular $200/Student Fee $100 (includes all papers, keynote speakers, reception, two breakfasts, two lunches, and bus tours).

MacKenzie Art Gallery Appoints New Assistant Curator
Regina- The MacKenzie Art Gallery is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle LaVallee as the new Assistant Curator, effective September 4, 2007.

... A sunburned penguin.

If you have news to pass on please email the Communications & Publications Coordinator.

SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT COUNCIL
813 Broadway Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7N 1B5
306.653.3616
www.saskcraftcouncil.org