Thomas Prior House, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Telephone 01 680764
Strength of Association The Crafts Council established a definite policy of encouraging the formation of craftworker associations or guilds at county or district level some years ago. These associations were seen to be both an essential source of strength and unity for craftworkers, who usually work as individuals, and a key to ensuring good communication and an exchange of information between the craftworker and the Council. The individual generally has little muscle power in a society which today is more and more organised, not necessarily for the sake of organisation but for the strength which organisation gives. This can be seen in the growth of bodies such as trade and employer unions, friendly societies and even community associations formed to protect and promote local interests. The craftworker, above all, is an individual with a tendancy to avoid organisation. However, even though disciplines differ, common bonds link craftworkers. True, these bonds may often be shared problems, as mundane as sources of raw materials, marketing, transportation and so forth.
Craftworkers who have come together to form associations have identified common interests and have, acting collectively, even in a short period, achieved good results.
These associations, members of the Council, now have a permanent headquarters and secretariat. With more associations being formed the Council is in a position to act at a national level on behalf of the craftworker. A knowledge of the contribution of craftworkers to the overall economy as consumers of raw materials and services and as producers of saleable products is important. With facts such as these the Council's bargaining power on behalf of the craft community will grow.
The Secretariat is not something just dreamed up by the Council as a good thing to have but has always been seen to be essential to progress the Council's work and enable the Council and its association's members to take positive actions to me benefit of craftworkers.
National Crafts Trade Fair The National Crafts Trade Fair was organised by the Crafts Council from the 8th - 11 th March with the cooperation of the Irish Goods Council and Coras Trachtala. The Fair was held in the ground floor showroom of the CTT/lrish Goods Council headquarters, Merrion Hall and among the 35 craft workers or craft industries taking part were weavers, wooden toy producers, enamellers, makers of candles, glass, rushwork, baskets, pewter, jewellery,
plaques, copper etchings, graphics, leather bags and belts. Over 90 buyers, including some trom North America, Northern Ireland the the U.K. placed business which, between immediate orders and those being negotiated amounted to approximately £50,000. This first venture into this type of operation by Crafts Council was successful enough to suggest it may become a permanent annual feature.
Royal Dublin Society National Crafts Competition 1977 This important annual competition will be held in the RDS premises at Ballsbridge, Dublin in July 1977.
It is open to individual craftworkers, students of schools of art, students of training colleges, students of technical and vocational schools and apprentices.
The last day for receipt of entries will be 1 July, 1977 after which work received will be ineligible.
A selection of work submitted of a standard approved by the jury will be exhibited at the RDS during Horse Show week (August 2nd - 7th inclusive).
Entries will be judged on standatd of design, workmanship and competence by an international panel.
Awards include £500 Scholarship or Development Grant, California Gold Medal, Crafts Council of Ireland Meaai, £50 first prize, £25 second prize and £15 third prize in each of the 19 classes.
Entry forms will be supplied on application to the National Crafts Competition, Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (telephone 01 680645, extension 312). Entries must be on the official f o r m , one form is required for each entry.