JULY/AUGUST 1983
Crafts Council of Ireland Thomas Prior House Merrion Road Dublin 4
Telephone 680764 / 603070
Annual General Meeting The fifth Annual General Meeting of the Crafts Council of Ireland Ltd. was held on 29th June at Thomas Prior House. The Chairman in his statement pointed out that the last year had seen a further deterioration in an already difficult economic situation. For the craftworkers, dependent for a livelihood on the market, survival itself was a triumph. The important thing was that while there is both anger and apprehension throughout the craft community, there is very little despair. Against a sombre backdrop and in very harsh surroundings there is a great deal of hope and effort, and some progress. The statement noted that during the last year a great deal of thought and work had gone towards making a success of the European Crafts Conference taking place this September. The format, with a large number of scattered workshops, required an enormous amount of organisation to succeed. The IDA has seconded Marion McGowan as National Co-ordinator and everyone who had worked with her was impressed by her commitment. The Sixth National Crafts Trade Fair continued the advance made in earlier years. The statement noted two special events which for the Council's future evolution had'a special importance, and which marked the growing maturity and quality of Irish crafts. The first was the symposium, workshop and international exhibition organised by the Society of Cork Potters, and the other was the intensive Textile Media Workshop in Ballyvaughan. Commenting on the tiny staff and budget of the Crafts Council the Chairman could think of no organisation more effective in cost benefit terms. This being simply because a very small team works very hard and well.
The statement put forward two conclusions: the first that the size and quality of Irish craftwork is rising rapidly in the face of great economic difficult and the second that the Crafts Council must, if it is to fulfil its responsibilities, move to a new level of work. The Chairman has made suggestions which, if accepted, will make possible a beginnig in this direction. The audited accounts showed a revenue deficit of ÂŁ11,821 for the year 1982 inclusive of depreciation of ÂŁ6,616. The auditors Craig Gardner and Company were re-appointed. The election for the three vacant seats on the Management Committee caused by statutory retirements resulted in Mrs. Alison Erridge of Clare Craftworkers
Catherine McDonald 'Cottage Exterior' printed textile. Textiles of the Burren.
Association, Mr. Rudolf Heltzel of the Kilkenny Craftworkers Guild and Mr. Jim O'Donnell of the Craftsmans Gallery being elected. The Minister for Industry and Energy appointed the following five members of the Management Committee for one. year: Professor Justin Keating (also appointed Chairman); Mr. John Jenkins, Kilkenny Design Workshops; Mr. Johnny Murphy, National College of Art and Design; Mr. Shane McAuley, IDA and Miss Blanaid Reddin, Bord Failte.