CRAFT COUNCIL OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
PROGRAMMING REPORT TO THE 2014 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MAY 25, 2014
I am pleased to be able to report to this 2014 gathering of the membership of the Craft Council
of Newfoundland and Labrador of the highlights of activities from the past year. It’s been a
busy one for the organization, and one that has presented many challenges. I’m delighted to
be able to tell you that we have had many achievements and that the highlights of the year’s
activities are a pleasure to relay to you.
Awards
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Nominations of Erin McArthur and Mike Gillan for the Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for
Excellence in the Excellence in Product Design category was successful, as was the
nomination of Textiles: Craft and Apparel Design in the Industry Leader category.
Winners of the Craft Council’s Awards for Excellence were announced at the opening of
the 2013 Annual Members Exhibit. Winners were
o Award for Innovation and Design, Stefanie Smith
o West Award for Personal, Nicola Hawkins
o Juror’s Choice Award, Murray Swantee
o Award for Interpretation of Provincial History, Christine LeGrow
o Award for the Preservation of Traditional Craft Skills, Heather White
o Award for Achievement by a Young Craftsperson, Stefanie Smith
o Outstanding Achievement Award, Mabel Manuel
Although the ending of the Craft Industry Development Program has meant the end of
the Craft Council Awards program, the Awards Committee has allocated $3,000 for the
2014/2015 Scholarship fund and is now accepting applications.
Craft Council Shop
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Shop Sales were $475,861
Payout to Shop Suppliers $289 671
Current number of suppliers is 140
Completed Shop Suppliers Manual, as recommended in Shop’s Business Plan
Shop experienced its largest sales day ever on December 23 with sales of $10 263.00!
New Point of Sale system sourced, and budgeted for in 14/15, with the anticipated
capacity to provide better sales records and analysis
Consignment rate has moved to 60/40 with the larger share going to suppliers
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Craft Council Gallery
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Opened 13 exhibitions during the 2013/2104 fiscal year, showing the work of 212
exhibitors, and making salves of $70,000. $48,000 was paid to exhibitors in sales and
professional fees.
Joint Ireland / Newfoundland exhibition, the Ireland Newfoundland Trail, showed in
Ireland in 2012 and in St. John’s at the Craft Council Gallery in 2013. Visiting artists from
Ireland led professional development sessions in St. John’s in textiles and glass
Extensive print promotion in the Telegram, Home and Cabin and Fusion magazine.
Ongoing participation in We Heart the Arts meetings – keeping craft in the arts
community conversation and participation in workshops and free marketing services.
Built on partnerships with the City and Memorial University, gaining in kind support
The Gallery director has also taken training in Social Media and In Design as we no
longer have someone responsible for communications.
Guide to Professional Craft and Visual Art Studios
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22,500 copies of the 2013 Studio guide were printed and distributed throughout the
province.
Craft Development in Labrador
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When finances forced the Craft Council to close the Labrador Craft Marketing Agency in
the spring of 2013, the Craft Council sought extra funds to enable a thorough study of
the future of craft development in Labrador. A report has been conducted and
discussions are now underway to determine how best to meet the needs of
craftspeople in that region.
Standards
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The Standards Committee continues to meet monthly, although there is a need to
expand the membership of the Committee in order to be certain of a quorum. The
Committee met monthly during the past year, viewing 57 submissions, approving 34 and
requesting 23 resubmissions.
Fibre Arts NL 2015
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In the works for Craft Year 2015, is the Fibre Arts Conference planned for Gros Morne
National Park in October of 2015. The Steering Committee has been meeting weekly for
two years, and have now reached a point where the list of instructors is almost finalized.
Twenty-two instructors from four countries will be leading sessions and serious interest
in participation has been received from across Canada.
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Craft Residency Project
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Two residencies happened in Gros Morne in 2013. Thanks to in kind contributions from
Parks Canada, studio and living space were made available to Shawn O’Hagan and Anna
Torma. Besides developing their own work, the residents led workshops, mentored
local craft makers, visited schools and offered public artist talks.
Clay Studio
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Two visiting artists to the Clay Studio this past year – Louise Pentz from Nova Scotia in
July and Deborah Schwartzkopf from Oregon in April, with support from the Betty
Averbach Foundation
High demand for classes, professional development sessions and kids’ programming.
Several sessions of Potters Presents – an opportunity for local potters to make
presentations to the community about their own work.
Visits from school groups and other community organizations
High volunteer commitment
Preparation of a Clay Studio business plan by a graduate student in the School of
Business, with further work with a long term goal of relocation of the Clay Studio.
Communications
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Without a staff person responsible for communications, Craft Council staff have worked
to maintain a public presence for the organization. Regular customer e-bulletins and
member news have been issued. Social media postings have been reasonably frequent
and website maintained. Current staff have taken on the tasks formerly done by
Communications staff and this has been a considerable burden. Without a staff person
with this knowledge and responsibility, the Craft Council does not feel it has done as
well in this area as it should.
Craft Alliance
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Craft Council is a member of this Atlantic region partnership.
Projects include the Atlantic Craft Trade Show, the trade mission to SOFA, the Sculpture
Objects and Functional Art Expo in Chicago, the gallery@acts and other projects in
development
Canadian Crafts Federation
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The Craft Council continues to play an active role in this national organization. Our
thanks to Kelly Bruton whose term as our representative to the Board has now come to
an end.
The annual CCF networking symposium was held in October, 2013 in Vancouver.
The CCF is now approaching its second year-long celebration of craft – Craft Year 2015.
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Loan Board
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The Craft Council has funds available for short term no / low interest loans. There has
been no activity in this area in this last year, leading the committee to believe that a
greater awareness of the availability of funds is needed.
Membership
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Membership in the Craft Council currently stands at 202, down about 4% since this time
last year. This isn’t a large decrease, but the overall decrease in the past 5 years or so is
more significant – closer to 25%.
Craft Fair
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The 2013 Christmas Craft Fair was held at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre from
November 6 – 10.
Total sales were $303,000, spread over 53 exhibitors, giving a booth average of $5,731
The Fair was coordinated by Susan Furneaux and Stephy Stoker, whose background in
craft and event planning made for a well-organized event.
Craft Council Friends and the Partridgeberry Moon Fundraiser
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The Friends of the Craft Council pulled out all the stops and did an extraordinary job of
organizing the 2013 fundraising dinner and silent auction, raising a record return of
more than $15,000. Our thanks to these supporters and to the Craft Council members
who gave their support to the event as well. The current status of the Friends of the
Craft Council is uncertain, with the Craft Council awaiting their decision on programming
for this year.
Building – the Devon House Craft Centre
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Offices are fully rented this year, bringing in needed income
A behind the parking lot retaining wall is giving way and needs replacement, meaning
that other needed renos and repairs were delayed.
The Craft Council is in desperate need of a handy person to help with routine repairs.
More extensive attention has been paid to Occupational Health and Safety this year,
with particular attention to air quality in the Clay Studio.
Key focus area: support to emerging craftspeople
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Crafted – a book profiling 10 emerging craft makers, was launched in April of 2013
Extensive effort has been spent in building and supporting the craft incubator – the
Quidi Vidi Village Plantation
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Exciting new projects are planned for 2014 / 2015
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Rematerializing Craft, with craft councils across Canada
Cultural Craft Development on the Bonavista Peninsula
National connections for Craft year 2015 celebrations
I’d like to end with sincere thanks to the Board for their support and to the many volunteers
who assist the Craft Council with their time and expertise. The staff of the Craft Council is a
hard working, committed group of people who work diligently on behalf of craft development
in the province. My thanks to Gallery Director, Sharon LeRiche, Financial Manager Earl Hoyles,
Administrative Officer, Lisa Downey, Clay Studio Coordinator Wendy Shirran, Shop Manager
Shannon Reid, and Shop staff Maaike Charron, Ann Breen and Craig Joseph. Together we have
developed and delivered a lengthy list of programs and services and we look forward to
continuing to work on your behalf through the coming year.
Anne Manuel
Executive Director
May 25, 2014
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