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

What insect does a Blacksmith make?

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

WINTERGREEN 2007 Update
Attendance at Wintergreen in 2006 was 4,058 people (up from 3,153 in 2005). Significantly, 27% of shoppers reported they were attending for the first time. Our goal for 2007 is to get over 5,000 eager shoppers through the door. In order to do so, we will be making the following changes in the advertising and promotional strategy:

1. We are increasing the advertising budget by more than 20% over last year. In addition, if we get over 75 marketers participating, we will use most of the additional booth revenue to increase the amount of ads we purchase. This advertising expenditure is possible, in part, because of support we have received from the Saskatchewan Cultural Industries Development Fund supported by Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Heritage.
2. We will be publishing a tabloid newspaper about Wintergreen. 10,000 copies will be distributed in restaurants, bars and shops in the two weeks prior to the sale. The cost of this is being partly paid for through advertising sales – if you or anyone you know is interested in purchasing an ad, contact Gale at 653-3616 ext. 23 or e-mail at scc.editor@sasktel.net.
3. We are purchasing thousands of shopping paper shopping bags with the Wintergreen logo and date on the side. These will be distributed by the Girl Guides in shopping malls the weekend before Wintergreen. The bags will serve as advertising in the malls the week before our sale – and will also be good as “dollar off” coupons if brought to Wintergreen.
4. As a trial, we will be sending a few hundred individuals who purchased raffle tickets at last year’s Wintergreen a complimentary ticket. This will be accompanied by a request that they bring a friend who has never before been to the sale.
5. We will be re-establishing and promoting child care/children’s craft area on Friday afternoon and on Saturday to encourage parents to attend and shop at their leisure.

In addition to these new initiatives, we will be purchasing a wide range of advertising,  including billboards, posters, internet (on the Tourism Regina and Tourism Saskatchewan sites), newspapers, and radio. Last year’s buy on Z-99 proved successful in attracting new clientele, so we will be going with this station again this year, (including an “on-location” broadcast on Saturday). We will also be continuing with the “mudslinger’s challenge” that was so successful in generating free publicity last year.

Please remember: Last year 13% of all people who attended reported that the dollar off coupons were the primary reason they were aware of Wintergreen. All exhibitors have been supplied with these coupons. PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THESE TO YOUR FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND CUSTOMERS. If you require more, please contact Chris at 653-3616 ext.  24 or scc.memberservices@sasktel.net.

WINTERGREEN 2007 Billets Wanted
If any Regina members or friends would be interested in opening their homes to billet out-of-town marketers during the Wintergreen weekend (Nov 2-4), could you let Donna know (saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net), indicating the number you would like to host.

Welcome SCC Members
Arati Chattopadhyay, Amy Snider, Michael Trussler, Joe Lorenzino & Gale Hagblom Alaie
Gert de Laforest was accepted as a Marketing Member by Clay jurors.

Offered this Friday, Sept 28 in Saskatoon and Monday, Oct 1 in Regina!
SELL MORE AT MARKETS!
Act Now! Increase your sales at markets!

The marketing workshops conducted by Barb de la Sablonniere will be held in Saskatoon on Friday, September 28 and in Regina on Monday, Oct 1. The workshops will be tailored specifically to meet the needs of Craftspeople selling at markets. Participants will also receive a personalized workbook for future study, reference, and reminders. The SCC will be offering these workshops on a cost recovery basis. The fee will be $150 for SCC members, and $200 for non-members.

There are only three spots remaining in Regina and two in Saskatoon! Sign up now or... you may spend your time at the markets watching those who attended writing up sales. To sign up, or for more information, contact Donna as soon as possible at 653.3616 or e-mail: saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net.

Opportunities, News & Notices
Party Alert!
The First SCC studioARTparty will be hosted by Miranda Jones and Jim Merriam on Saturday, Sept 29th. It will be an evening to enjoy art, hear live music, drinking wine, and eating great food – all in the midst of great company. Admission by advance tickets only ($20/person). To get your ticket, call Donna at 653.3616 ext. 0 or e-mail to saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net. A door prize will be awarded for the most colourful attire.

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>

Avonlea Craft & Trade Show, Oct 13th, 2007, 10 am -  4 pm, Avonlea Memorial Rink, 315 Main Street, Avonlea, SK

Employment - Festival Producer
FLICKS: International Children's Film Festival is seeking applicants for the position of Festival Producer. For more information, visit http://www.saskculture.sk.ca/jobs/09-30-07_Flicks.htm. Application deadline is September 30, 2007.

Employment - Artistic Director
PAVED Arts seeks candidates for the position of Artistic Director. For more information, visit http://www.saskculture.sk.ca/jobs/09-01-07_paved.htm. Application deadline is October 1, 2007.

FREE: Sawyer's rotary slide carousels and slide boxes. E-mail Teresa Gagne at tgagne@sasktel.net

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

CREDIT CARD SALES AT MARKETS
It was brought to our attention by SCC member Jill Nicholson that marketers might want to compare the benefits of two companies that offer options to expensive banks for processing credit card sales. Jill has been using UNPS for a few years and Propaycanada.ca is looking for business too.

For more information on UNPS contact Kirt Blatx – 1.800.886.1052 ext. 5038 and for information on Propay go to www.propaycanada.ca. As I understand it both systems allow you authorize credit card payments from your booth via telephone. These days having the ability to take credit cards is an excellent way to increase sales.

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

Karen Holden is having an exhibition at the Fringe Gallery, EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, 142 - 12th Street W, Prince Albert, SK from Oct 7 - Nov 30.

Bernie Zaharik had a piece accepted into a show in England. Sold for $70. Check out www.whereifellinlovegallery.com. Go to cup & saucer competition. Jack Sures' wife Cara Driscoll was also in the show.

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.

Rod and Denyse Simair have received a Canada Council for the Arts Travel Grant to attend Krystallos 2007. Krystallos 2007 is an international all-crystalline exhibition being held at the Stonewall Gallery, Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. From Sept 15, until Oct 14.  See www.krystallos2007.com

Saskatoon Potters Guild: The Functional and Decorative Teapot Workshop with internationally trained and exhibited ceramic artist Carole Epp. Saturday, Sept 29 & Sunday, Sept 30. 9 - 4 pm (both days) at the Albert Community Centre in Saskatoon. To register contact: Sharon at 477.0632 (leave message)

EXHIBITION - "TransFIGUREment" An exploration of the artistic process utilizing the human form as a vehicle for creative expression. Shelley Kaszefski and Leslie Potter will exhibit their works at the Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, from Sept 7 to Nov 12, 2007.

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.

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

REMINDER
Capturing Our Value: Indicators and the Arts & SAA Annual General Meeting
Refinery, 609 Dufferin Avenue, Saskatoon, Saturday, Sept 29, 9 am - 5 pm.

Join us for the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance Annual General Meeting and workshop Capturing Our Value: Indicators and the Arts led by Nancy Duxbury.

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.

The NeoCraft Conference has been designed with the objective of furthur developing critical thinking, theory and history in relation to the crafts. It is the intention of NeoCraft to not only acknowledge the vital role the crafts play in our culture and economy, but to challenge the position of craft by creating a forum for lively exchange and debate.

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)

... A Blacksmith makes the firefly!

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