SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT COUNCIL News

Vol. 1 No. 18 - Monday, September 10, 2007

RETURN TO THE SCC
Greetings to the SCC membership. My one-year hiatus in Halifax at NSCAD University was filled with great experiences. Returning to the SCC has been comfortable for me because Colin Wallace has kept the publications on track and in addition, he made some positive changes. I want to extend my gratitude and best wishes to Colin and look forward to seeing him at up-coming SCC events.

Gale Hagblom Alaie
Communications & Publications Coordinator

Welcome to the SCC
 New Marketing Members in Glass: Linda Fleming and Bob Mullen

UPCOMING EVENTS
A Workshop opportunity you don't want to miss!
Trade Show Success - What it Takes

The SCC is contracting with Barb de la Sablonniere to offer all-day workshops on how to become more effective at presentation and sales. We will be offering one workshop in Saskatoon on Friday, September 28, and one in Regina on Monday, October 1.

Ms. Sablonniere is a published author of a wide range of articles on effective communication and selling. She has presented workshops and seminars for groups ranging from the Government of Canada to the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership to Tourism Saskatchewan to the Chamber of Commerce. Participants will receive coaching on a wide range of topics including:

  • Preparing for the show
  • Understanding non-verbal communication (both on what you are saying, and what potential customers are saying to you)
  • How to decide who's a potential buyer (either today or down the road) and how to engage with them
  • How to close the deal and make the sale
  • Tips for future follow-up

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. Space is limited, so act now. To sign up, or for more information, contact Donna as soon as possible at 653.3616 or e-mail: saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net.

WINTERGREEN 2007 - NEW DATES - November 2, 3 & 4, 2007
CONEXUS ARTS CENTRE, Regina
Please contact Chris Jones at scc.memberservices@sasktel.net for information.

What’s new for Wintergreen?
Last year, Wintergreen experienced an improvement in attendance and sales.The average sales reported by marketers went from $2,400 in 2005 to $3,200 in 2006. It was a good start, but much more needs to be done to make this event more successful for marketers. Here’s an outline of what we are planning for Wintergreen 2007:

  • We will have a childcare craft room (staffed by licensed child care workers) so that young children can attend and have fun while their parents are shopping.
  • The media mudslinger’s challenge will return. This Friday event was very successful in increasing the media profile of the event last year.
  • On Saturday, we will have a mudslinger’s challenge for exhibitors. There will be two pools – one for clay marketers and one for marketers in other mediums – doing an elimination challenge with work being judged by a spectator applause-o-meter. The idea is to create fun and excitement for both exhibitors and patrons.
  • The demonstrations will be revamped with a return to a central demonstration area with scheduled interactive demonstrations.

We are putting the final touches on our advertising program, and will outline these plans fully in the next member e-news.  It will contain some new actions and mediums in addition to the things that have proven successful in the past.  There are three things that need your attention right now:

  • Our advertising budget will be increased by over 20% from last year. In addition, if we get more than 75 booths, the bulk of these booth fees will be put towards increasing the advertising media buy. In short, the more exhibitors, the more advertising we will be able to purchase.
  • Some of our advertising will be highlighting `what`s new`. If you have any new products that you intend to be selling this year, drop a note to Gale (scc.editor@sasktel.net) and we`ll see if we can feature it in our advertising.
  • You can increase the effectiveness of your sales efforts at Wintergreen (and other markets) by attending the sales workshops with Barb de la Sablonniere. Workshops will be in Saskatoon on Friday, September 28, and in Regina on Monday, October 1. Contact Donna (saskcraftcouncil@sasktel.net or phone 653-3616) for more information or to register.

Wintergreen 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 and any gender preference. 

SCC NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES - You may now view past editions of the SCC Newsletters from a link under the "Resources" tab on the top navigation area of the SCC Website, or click on this link: www.saskcraftcouncil.org/resources_newsletters.php

MENDEL GALLERY 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.

"MIX N' MELD," Exhibition at The Hand Wave Gallery - Visit the Hand Wave Gallery, 409, 3rd Avenue, Meacham from Sept 1 to Oct 4 to view the exhibition "MIX N' MELD." This will be a selection of collaborative ceramic and fibre work by Charley Farrero and June Jacobs. For more details, call: 306.376.2221 or visit the Hand Wave website: www.handwave.ca.

HEADS-UP!
Recent Works on Paper
Jacob Semko and Nik Semenoff are showing their "recent works on paper" at the rougegallery from Sept 10 - 22. The opening reception is Monday, Sept 10, 5 - 7pm. Artists' talks at 5:30pm.

Saskatchewan Arts Board Application Deadlines
Independent Artists Program - Oct 1; Project Assistance - Oct 15
For information: Deron Staffen at 306.787.4131, 800.667.7526 or deron@artsboard.sk.ca or visit the website at www.artsboard.sk.ca

Call For Submissions
MATERIA, exhibition centre specialized in creative craftsmanship, invites tenders for its 2008-2009 season programme. The deadline is Monday, October 1, 2007. For information contact: Marianne Thibeault at 418.524.7337 or www.centremateria.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.

Tobi Ann Baumgartner will be presenting a solo exhibition titled "A Glorious Day" at the Portage & District Arts Centre. It will run from Aug 28 - Sept 29, 2007. The exhibition will include PhotoMatte photography, as well as Painted Frame Photography. Tobi can be contacted by phone at: 204.878.4539, or visit her website at: www.expressiveframes.ca.

The Khmer Ceramics Festival, in partnership with the Center for Khmer Studies, will take place in Cambodia from Dec 11 - 29, 2007. The IKCF will be a technical and visual event, with the first firing of an 8 meter long Khmer Antique Kiln, demonstrations of ancestral techniques, vessel throwing and pit firings. A two day conference is also set to take place during the festival.

The organizers of the festival have contacted the CCF/FCMA as they are seeking international support, and hope to encourage a Canadian potter to speak, teach and demonstrate at the Festival. Three international potters already slated to participate are Janet Mansfield (Australia) Suwanee Natewong (Thailand) and Louis Katz (USA). The teacher would preferably have knowledge of the SE-Asiactic region, or development in poor countries, but this is not a firm requirement.

For more information, see www.khmerceramics.com, or contact Serge Rega, Director of the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival. He can be reached via email at info@khmerceramics.com or by phone at +855(0)63 761 519.

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCC MEMBERS
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)

CALL FOR ENTRY
The Metal Arts Guild of Canada - Deadline: November 30th
The Metal Arts Guild of Canada in partnership with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority invites members of the guild 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

WORKSHOPS
University of Saskatchewan Community Arts offers a variety of courses for visual artists. For more information or to register: www.communityarts.usask.ca or phone 306.966.5539

Art Gallery of Regina (old Neil Balkwell Civic Centre) offers a variety of courses for visual artists.
Writing Artist's Statements with Jack Anderson on Oct. 13, 1:30 - 4 pm
The Business Side of Art with Jack Anderson on November 18, 2 - 4 pm
Fee: $25/members; $35/non-members
For more information or to register: www.artgalleryofregina.ca or 522.5940; info@artgalleryofregina.ca

Bridging 125 - Chief Whitecap & John Lake celebration. A family friendly celebration on Friday, Sept 21 at 5pm. The city has organized a evening filled with entertainment. The Traffic bridge (old Victoria bridge) will be closed and they are looking for SCC members to set up to sell their work during the evening's celebrations. They are asking for $150.00 cheque payable to the City of Saskatoon and this will only be deposited if the vendor does not show up. The city provides the tables and the electricity. It is for a short period of time but there will be lots of traffic. For information please contact - Kim Ali at 220.8077 or kimali@onpurpose.ca. Visit www.saskatoon.ca for details.

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