The Emma International Collaboration grew from a series of Woodturning and Furniture Making workshops organized by Michael Hosaluk through the Saskatchewan Craft Council starting in 1982. These workshops evolved away from the standard lecture-demo format to lots of open studio time and hands on experiences allowing the participants more one on one time with the instructors and the instructors a chance to play their ideas and experiences off each other.

In 1996 we moved to an artists’ retreat in the Saskatchewan boreal forest with a history of fresh thought. The open studio sessions had become so successful we dropped all formal instruction in favor of the totally hands on “no format format”.

To broaden our creative base we increased the scope from wood related disciplines to include blacksmithing, metal fabrication, a foundry, painting and anything we could find that fit the spontaneous nature of the event. Thanks to the generosity of a private charitable foundation we were able to sponsor many outstanding makers in these fields and “Emma” became one of the world’s greatest celebrations of creativity. View images from previous collaborations.

In 2005 our new location will be in Big River, Saskatchewan. The site is at Ness Creek for the artistic collaboration and the auction will occur in Saskatoon at the Western Development Museum. We have also included a sculpture component this year became one of the world’s greatest celebrations of creativity.

“Emma” invitations are issued on the basis of ability in and dedication to one’s discipline and the ability to share and sustain one’s energy in this creative maelstrom. We aim for a balance of gender, age and stature. This means we have relative novices sharing the experience as peers of the world’s leading makers ensuring the ongoing vitality of these fields.

JUST A FEW OF THE EMMA’06 PARICIPANTS

Michael Hosaluk
Farrell Rupert
Norm Sartorius
Brent Skidmore
Miranda Jones
Merryll Saylan
Graeme Priddle
Tom Loeser
John Henry Fine Day
Bobby Hansson

INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

It can be a really great time to explore new directions and recharge your batteries in the northern boreal forest. There will be a good selection of wood and metal tools. Local artisans volunteer their equipment (Forges, lathes, drill presses, stick and TIG, MIG and aluminum welding, table saw, jointer planer etc.). We hope to get a local person to bring an English Wheel. We have a large selection of sheet metal, iron, scrap metal, farm machinery parts, tons of wood and sheet goods. One of the local scrap metal dealers donates a large selection of metal. If you have any specific needs please let us know. Most people bring their favourite hand tools and something to put in the parts pile if you have anything.

The woodworking area will be on the main stage. Check out the Ness Creek Festival for pictures of the site. The metal area will be in a pole shelter with tin roof and tarps on the sides if the weather is bad.

Accommodation will be a mix of tenting, dormitory, small cabins but mostly with a cot and not on the ground (unless you bring your own tent). There will be a toilet and shower facility. One of the participants is planning on building a sauna down by the creek. There is a good fishing lake 15 min. drive away. We will have daily trips there to a nice beach and boats for people who want to fish.

All of the items made at the event are the property of the Emma Collaboration and the Saskatchewan Craft Council and are sold at a public auction and the money is used as seed money for the next event.