ALBERTA CRAFTS COUNCIL ISSN0826-7421
April, 1986
Memo from the President Spring Bar-B-Que - Your Invited! Saturday, June 14th in Bragg Creek - sunshine, piney woods, good food, good people! Things are looking up
for the ACC and it's time we get to know each other.
A registration form is inside this newsletter. We must
knowthe numberof attendeesahead of time to plan food and information handouts, so take a chance NOW
for a get-togetherto share informationand to have
and send your registration in to the Edmonton office -you've nothing to lose but ennui. I'm looking forward
b-que at Connie and Bob Pike's Bragg Creek studio/residence.
BonnieMurdoch
The Annual General Meeting gives us a convenient date some fun, so this year's organizing committee has planned a full day of events, topped off with an evening bar-
to seeing you there. Sincerely ,
The actual meeting part of the AGM, which is a legal responsibility of the organization, gives all members an up-to-date overview of the Council's business through Director's reports and presentation of the 1985-86 audited financial statement. New directors are elected
COVER Charles Breth CeramicArtist
by the membershipas well, and there will be time to meet the new Board of Directors and to talk about concerns and ideas for the future.
Lunch is included in your registration fee, the Bragg Creek Community Hall has kitchen facilities on site for a fresh hot meal and ongoing coffee/tea refreshments.
The afternoonwill begin with presentationson the
work of the ACC's two 1986candidates for the Saidye
BronfmanAward for Excellencein the Crafts. John Chalke is a ceramist; Bill Morton a silk dyer. Their slides and the accompanyinglectureswill showcase
See Page 5
COUNCIL CONTACTS PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
Calgary
StonyPlain
Bonnie Murdoch
963-3042
246-6674
some outstandingly beautiful images, interesting ideas and breathtaking technical mastery to inspire and delight us all.
A guest speaker will followthe slide presentation, then the new ExecutiveCommitteewill be introduced. The afternoon will wind up with time for informal chats over refreshments. Evening festivities will take place at
Connie and Bob Pike's home, where friends and familiesare also invited for a BYOBsocialgathering and dinner. Getting There For out of town members' information, Bragg Creek is a small village, located a short drive west of Calgary,
with a thriving crafts community in a lovely, fresh, spruce and willow setting.
The fact that the ACC is a province-wide organization can necessitatetravel for some membersto any
single event. This time, to ease that situation for out of Calgary members, Chris Dancey, a Calgary silk dyer, will organize billeting with local members for the travellers. You can reach Chris at 277-5250to register your willingness to host guests or to reserve space. We hope to see full representation by out of town members. Chris is also arranging a second day of casual studio tours through the workplaces of Calgary craftspeople,
followedby a no-host restaurant dinner on Sunday.
Any Calgarian who would like their studio includedon
this day's agenda should contact Chris at the above number. Page 2
Bobbi Hoffman
TREASURER Don Smitten Edmonton 475-5593
DIRECTORS Leni Balaban Karen Cantine Fort McMurray Edmonton 790-1753 452-5615 Margaret Best Don Doherty Calgary Edmonton 252-71% Annette Greenberg KatherineHutton Edmonton Edmonton 487-0714 43m861
Tony Mandamin Edmonton 483-6053
Joyce Chorny Calgary 269-8085
AREA REPRESENTATIVES Jan Slaughter Wendy Schneider Fort McMurray Bruderheim 791-6881
796-3080
Shannon Read Red Deer
Lynne Hunter-Johnston I-cthbridge
340-1734
320-2441
ADMINISTRATIVEMANAGER BeverleyGlover #509, 10136- 100st., Edmonton, Alberta T5J OPI (403)428-1654 Advertisementsprinted in the
Alberta Craft Newsletter do
endorsement by the
not necessarily imply
Alberta Crafts Council,
1986 Corporate Gift Program Eighty members submitted 288 samples which were
simply but effectively displayed in the ACC offices. Ac-
cording to our guest book, 71 of nearly 450 invited clients attended the opening reception on Tuesday afternoon or made special appointments to view the samples. There were probably about 20 visitors who did not sign
the guest book.
Forty-six of the samples were sold during the week of
the Gift Program, but no large orders were placed. While this is very disappointing, I do not feel we should be totally discouraged as the purpose of the Gift Program is to put buyers and craftspeople together. Part of the package given to each guest who attended was a list of the participating craftspeople, complete with address
and phone number as well as a description and price of each piece. It was interesting to see that nearly everyone took notes on this list as he or she viewed the display. I am aware of at least five craftspeople who have been
contactedsince the Gift Program and understandthat some further sales have been made.
It takes several years for a program such as this to
become well established and truly successful. This year's exhibition was larger and better than last year's and the response more positive. I feel that we are making steady progress. Karen Cantine Director
Spring Bar-B-Que Annual General Meeting YES! I will attend the
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING S12.OOregistration fee includes
lunch, all refreshments,information package and lectures.
EVENING BAR-B-QUE
Total My cheque or money order for confirmation of my registration to:
$6.00 for dinner, BYOB
is enclosed. Please send
1
Postal Code—
1
Telephone
Send your registration form to:
AlbertaCrafts Council
#509, 10136 - 100 Street
Edmonton,AB T5J OPI
Registration deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, May 30, 1986
Page 3
Proxy Form
PROXIES Alberta Crafts Council bylaw 7.10
be entitled to exercise, subject to At any meeting a proxy duly and sufficiently appointed by a member shall rights that the member apany restrictions expressedin the instrument appointing him, the same voting must be a member. An instrupointing him would be entitled to exercise if present at the meeting. A proxy to the time of voting, it is prior ment appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be acted on only if, in the notice calling directed be deposited with the secretary of the Corporation or of the meeting or as may which they are entitled to the meeting. Members may vote by mail ballot to decide any issue in respect of vote. I hereby appoint
(a member in good standing)
to vote on my behalfat the AlbertaCrafts CouncilGeneralMeeting on June 14, 1986. (signature of member) (date proxy signed)
The Proxy Form must be received by the Alberta Crafts Council Administrative
Managerat:
ALBERTA CRAFTS COUNCIL #509, 10136 - 100 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J OPI
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF PROXIES IS: 9:00 a.m. - June 14, 1986
Handspirits Catalogue Available
Attention
The catalogue published in conjunction with the ACC's very successful Handspirits exhibition (still travelling in Alberta) is on sale at the ACC offices. The catalogue ($5.00 each) has been extremely popular as a memento of Handspirits. In addition to being a high quality, colorful documentation of
The present ACC policy restricts its membership lists so that it is unavailablefor distribution to otherorganizationsand individuals.
a selection of the exhibiting craftspeopleswork, the catalogue includes condensedbiographies of the exhibitors.The biographiesmake the Handspirits catalogue a valuable resource tool as well. The catalogue is available through the ACC office while quantities last.
AlbertaCrafts Council
No. 509, 10136 100 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J OPI Ph. 428-1654
Page 4
Members
Recently a change in policy has been considered: some members feel they would benefit from this form of exposure. If you, as an ACC member, object to having your name released we request that you inform the
ACCoffice and we willomit your name from the circulatinglist. Alberta Crafts Council No. 509, 10136 100 street Edmonton, Alberta T5J OPI Ph. 428-1654
Charles Breth -
Ceramic Artist
If you visit the ACC offices you will see several of our
members' work on display. Charles Breth of Peers, Alberta, is presently displaying three of his ceramic works.
Each piece that Charles producesis different: "I like to try different ideas as opposed to refining one." Charles' work is distinctive not only in size but in design and construction as well.
Size: "I like to work relatively large; I enjoy taking clay as far as it will go. I become bored making small production pieces."
Design: "I use the media clay to express myself artistically. I studied at the University of Berkeleyin California where I was influenced by a Professor, Peter Voulkos. He revived the concept of producing art using
clayas the tool."
Construction: "Technically my methods are very sim-
ple. I'm not as interestedin perfectingthe mechanicsof
Handspirits Opening Red Deer - March 15, 1986
HANDSPIRITS was once again received with great enthusiasm as it opened in its fourth venue. Our recent board meeting was scheduled in Red
Deer to coincidewith this HANDSPIRITSopen-
ing. The response of the staff at the Red Deer and District Museum was delightful! A wine and cheese reception was beautifully presented in the adjacent gallery. The pieces were arranged in an
intimate yet uncrowded formation;
"Ozymandias" by Murry Gibson and "A Thirty Meter Drawing" by Leeanne Stringer were notably well displayed.
The positive response to the Council's efforts and appreciation of the talents and creative abilities of Alberta craftspeople reaffirmed my reasons for being involved with the Alberta Crafts
Council.
KatherineHutton
production; I'm more interested in constructing in clay the idea I have formulated in my mind."
Director
for expressing himself. Converse to two dimensions, three dimensions present a continuative property: "Three dimensions are more complex with regards to beginnings and endings."
Attention Artists and Art Organizations
Charles feels that working in a three dimensional mediumoffers more of a challengeand more freedom
Charles moved to Canada (more specifically,the Peers, Alberta, area) in 1972 from Berkeley, California, after attending the University of Berkeleyfrom 1964 -1971. He set up a studio on his newly purchased property which included the construction of a 30 cu. ft.,
down draft, gas kiln: "I'd like to have a bigger kiln -about 60 - 100 cu. ft., so that I could make larger
BE A PART OF Y9RRs A VISUAL ARTS CELEBRATION
EDMONTON: JUNE 27 TO JULY 8, 1986
exhibit in Edmonton's first outdoor
ARTISTS' MARKET
•In ttE heart of Downtown Edmonton in Sir Winston
ChurchiU Square. In the park across the street trom City Han and The Edmonton Art gallery.
pieces. Although, pitting yourself against the limits set by the smaller kiln can also be satisfying and thrilling."
.50 DISPLAY BOOTHS INSIDE SPECIALLY DESIGNED
Charles enjoys teaching, specifically the contact with people: "1 would like a combination of lecturing and
June 27 to July 6 (10 days) •Booth fees: $250.00 (5 days)
workingat my art. At present I am very involvedin many projects and cannot work on my clay as much as I should. When I'm not working on the clay regularly I
lose momentum." Metal casting is another area Charles
would like to explore; maybe casting from clay originals.
Charles feels that Edmonton is lacking in Visual Arts
activity and is eager to assist in educationand projects
to encourage public awareness. (Is there more happening in Southern Alberta?) and Charles' impressive works, a sculpture, planter business during vase, can be viewed at the ACC office hours, weekdays.
TENTS—Available
to both artists and arts organizations
•3 time periods: June 27 to July 1 (5 days)
2-6 (5 days)
$500.00 (10 days) Shared booths available
•NO COMMISSIONON SALES •NO ADMISSIONFEE CHARGED TO THE PUBLIC •OVER 100,000VISITORS EXPECTED TO ATTEND
Y9RRs attention
• As Canada •s first Visual ans festival,wtu
atlractlæal, regional and national
• Edmonton's renowned Jazz City win
entertain With tour free concerts presented
dally tn the Square
APPLY NOW! BE THERE IN THE SQUARE. Entry forms now available from:
WORKS
*616. 10136 • 100 S.
Abe-B
(403) 426-2122
Puge 5
OPPORTUNITIES THE ART PARK '86 - SEARCH
FOR ARTISTS
GORO CANYON GIFT SHOP, Banff, Alberta, is looking for unique hand-crafted work by Canadian ar-
tists for their newly-expandedgift shop. They would Artists looking for exhibitions in 1986need not look like to receivecataloguesand/or ideas or samples of further than Art Park '86. The Art Park Society pro-I work. For info write: P.O. Box 2697, Banff, Alberta. motes the arts of festive, outdoor events held from June to September in select parks throughout Edmonton.
The Art Park Society membership fee is $10.00. Registration fees for each show are usually $20.00. Artists interested in participating in Art Park's eight annual Festival of the arts should write: The Art Park Society P.O. Box 6325, Station "C" Edmonton, Alberta T5B 4K7 For more information contact Linda Prefontaine, Art
Park Co-ordinator at 428-8553. The Art Park Societyis a non-profit organization committed to the positive growth of the arts communi-
ty. The Art Park Society provides highly visible market opportunities. These are the benefits you will receive as a member of The Art Park Society:
• nominalfees
TOL OCO.
WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
"Alberta Craft" welcomesyour contributions.
Let us know what you are doing or what is happening with crafts in your community. The next "Alberta Craft" advertising and copy DEADLINE is April 25, 1986.
HANDSPIRIT'S HASTI-NOTES
Due to overwhelmingsales and popularity of
Hasti-Notes, they are NOW AVAILABLE from the ACC office.
• exhibiting and marketing opportunities
• no commissionon sales • media promotion • increased profile
• exposureto thousandsof visitors • forum to discussyour work and ideas • no admission charge to the public
• opportunityto meet with other arts organizations
• Society newsletter • expanded arts network Call 428-8553 for complete details. Art Park is sponsored by, the City of Edmonton, Parks and Recreation, the Edmonton Journal and the Art Park Society.
LOOKING FOR NEW ARTISTS
Situated amidst an ever-growing community of
beautiful Bragg creek is TWO PINES GALLERY. Two Pine Gallery boasts a country classic atmosphere with a
unique and original selection of Antiques, Paintings,
Free Form Glass, Jewellery, Fibre Arts, Leather Garments, Pottery, Ceramics and Sculptural Works,
ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS
Alberta Theatre Projects will be holding our 2nd An-
nual Flea Market tentatively on May 10. We are looking for people to donate crafts of any kind to be sold to raise funds for the theatre. All proceeds will go to ATP. Anyone interested please call Jessi at 277-0706 -Calgary.
QUILT CANADA 86
University of Victoria, Victoria, B.C.: May 28 - June I, 1986; Lectures, seminars and workshops will be held over the 5 day schedule by some of the finest quilt artists from Canada and the U.S. With receptions, banquets,
and fashion showsthere will be somethingfor everyone. For information contact the ACC office or Quilt Canada 86, Conference Office, University Extension
and Community Relations, University of Victoria, Box 1700, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2.
that reflect the creativityand dedicationof established artists. We are now looking for new artists with unique talents.
We offer a setting that is creatively designed that will promote Canadian artists.
Pleasecontactor send slidesto: MikkiNott Two Pines Gallery
Box 235
Bragg Creek, Alberta TOI OKO Ph. 949-2549 (H); 949-3472 (G) Page 6
CRAFTHOUSE
The Crafts Association of B.C. is opening, on April 17, 1986, a wonderful new Gallery/Shop called "CRAFT HOUSE". This very contemporary shop will
feature objects that are fresh and elegant in all
materials: clay, fiber, glass, metal, plastic, and wood. If
you are a craftspersonproducing works that are of excellence we would be interested in hearing about your work. Please send information and slides to: CRAFTHOUSE 1386 Cartwright St. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3R8
Calendar of Events Members! Do you know of any upcoming events that could be included in our Calendar of Events Column?If
you do, contact the Alberta Crafts Council office and we will help spread the word. April 23 - May Il
Exhibition
Medicine Hat
May 2 - May 3 Craft Sale St. Albert
Laubental Studio presents their Annual Spring Sale -Location: Profiles Gallery, 2nd Floor, St. Albert Place,
5 St. Anne Street; Featuring: Painting, weaving, pottery, floral arrangements, quilting, stained glass, silk screened items and more; Hours: Friday, 2:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
"Alberta Potter's Association"an invitationalexhibition of ceramics by potter delegatesto the Provincial Conferencebeing held at MedicineHat College taking place May 9 - May 11. Location: Cultural Centre, May 5 - May Il Craft Show MedicineHat College. April 25, 26, 27 Craft Sale Calgary
The Great Canadian Crafts Festival - Location: Stampede Park Round-Up Centre; Hours, April 25, 26: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., April 27: 10:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. May I - May 4 Craft Show
Edmonton CameoCraft Sale- Location:CommonwealthStadium
Recreation Centre; Hours: May I, 2: 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., May 3, 4: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
SINICUS SILK CO. (ALBERTA) LTD.
WE SPECIALIZE IN From Silk to Exotic fabrics
• Silk Dyes (Steam or Non-Steam) • Hand-Hemmed Scarves • Silk Threads
• Exclusive: resist applicator with metal tip and fabric claws • "Painting on Silk" Classes, Books, and Supplies • One day workshop offered by professional silk painters.
• School and public demonstrations available
Wholesale and Retail VOLUME DISCOUNTS AND MAIL ORDER AVAILABLE
Ste.300, 229 - 11thfive. S.E. Calgary, Riberta T2G (403) 263-2264
Edmonton Great Western Artists - Location: Londonderry Mall May 7 - June 1
Exhibition St. Albert
Four Fibres Group - presents Five Approaches to Fibre -Five fibre artists working in contemporary needlework, weaving, surface design, rugwork, paper-making and
felting present their new works at Profiles Gallery; Location: St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne St.; Hours: 1:00
p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesdayto Sunday; Artists: Flo Dutka, Rosa Taylor, Jane Rees-Bally, Jenny Woods, Caroline Anderson; Opening Celebration May 7, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. no fee May 9 - May Il Symposium Medicine Hat Medicine Hat Ceramics Symposium - Presentors: Robin Hopper, Bill Hunt, Jim Etskorn, Garry Willams, Anita Dumins, Les Manning, Luke Lindoe, Walter Dexter, Baco Ohoma; Location: Medicine Hat College. May 12 - May 17
Craft Sale Edmonton Great Western Artists - Location: Meadowlark May 16 - June 10
Exhibition MedicineHat "Not Just Another Horse Show (Edition 3)" - a juried exhibitionof WesternArt featuring 50 Canadian and Americanartists. Location:CulturalCentre May 19 - May 25
Craft Show Calgary
Great WesternArtists - Location: Marlborough May 26 - May 31
Craft Show Red Deer Great WesternArtists - Location:Parkland Page 7
CWTS
C0UNCIL #509 10136 - 100 st.
Edmonton, Alta. T5J OPI (403)428-1654
East Coulee Museum and Cultural Center The East Coulee School Museum was built in 1930 and used as such until the early 1960s,when the decline
of our mining town of East Coulee made it impossible to keep the school open. The school started out as a 4-room school and in 1936another 8 rooms were added on because of the influx of miners and their families at
the time. The school lay decaying for approximately 15 years
after closure, when a concerned group of citizens decided to form what is now called Dinosaur Valley Heritage Society, which deals with preserving our area's heritage.
Their first venture was to apply for funding from Canada Comm. Development Projects, to renovate the
school buildingto its original form, to be used as a
Museum and Cultural Center. Application was part finished in April 1985, when we were able to begin developing the museum as a working center. Progress
was slow at first, but community interest began to grow and we began collecting an impressive array of artifacts from the people in the area.
Our museum so far, in a little under one year, has become quite popular, seeing approximately 3,500
visitors come through our doors. The museum consists of 2 museum rooms, one room is a tribute to the coal miners, containing many artifacts
pertainingto mining from the year 1928to the '60s,
when the mines in the area shut down. This room also contains artifacts from East Coulee's short but colorful past. The next museum room is a remodeled 1930sstyle
classroom, texts, test papers, report cards, old school and class photos and much more. The museum also has an Art Gallery where we feature
the work of local artists and also travelling exhibits
from places such as the Glenbow.
We have a lovely Tea Room, which everyone says has
a lot of atmosphere. We serve fresh baking along with tea, coffee and juice. We have also initiated an exercise room in the basement, and this room contains many new pieces of exercise equipment. We also offer courses at the museum, and we are now in the middle of a knitting class, which everyone of our 10 participants is enjoying. We will be offering crochetting and an exerciseor aerobics class next, and plan on having a few more courses before the summer. The East Coulee School Museum also boasts of a
beautiful Heritage Craft Store, which contains a multitude of various handmade items which are supplied mostly by local crafts people. Our endeavour is to
bring back the art of Heritage crafts done by our ancestorsat the beginningof our area's development and to provide an outlet by which craft people can sell their work. This store provides the availability for locals to drop in and purchase a gift at the last minute and also gives tourists the opportunity to buy some little thing to
take home to friends and family.
We would like to keep our stock as close to our area's heritage as possible, but with the limited population it is difficult. As a result of this, we would appreciate crafts people from the outlying areas to contact us if they are interested in doing crafts and putting them in our Craft Store on a consignment basis. Our phone number is 822-3970. We would like you to give us a call if you are interested in putting something
in our craft store.
Susan Defoor Projects Co-ordinator