Craft Council Gallery Shows and Fundraising Supper

On Sunday, Lori and I went to the gallery opening of two new exhibits at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador's Gallery, which will run from August 30th to October 4th, 2009.

Breaking Point: Jason Holley's chainmaille inspired sculptural pieces. There are some metal pieces in the show, but the majority are made from raku-fired ceramic links. The twist here is that in each piece there is an intentional flaw - a link or more are broken or missing. It brings a bit of randomness into the repeating patterns in the chainmaille. This is a great opportunity to own one of Jason's award winning designs. If you are in St. John's check it out! You'll find the show in the main gallery on the second floor of Devon House, 59 Duckworth St, St. John's.

400: In the annex gallery, across the hall from Breaking Point, there is a show filled with pieces inspired by 400 years of English settlement at Cupids, Newfoundland and Labrador. John Guy landed in Cupids (or Cupers Cove) in 1610. There are some stunning pieces that explore everything from the first European baby being born in Canada to the collapse of the fishery in the form of a massive concrete cod. One of my favourite pieces is Nicola Hawkin's painting of a Beothuk canoe and map interspersed with text extracted from John Guy's journals.

Dogberry Moon 2009: The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member run non-profit organization dedicated to promoting craft in the province. They were a huge help to me when I was starting Elfshot in the form of advice, marketing opportunities, studio start-up money, travel money, and a network of peers. Lori and I volunteer on several CCNL committees. If you live in Newfoundland and value handmade objects, why not shop local at the Craft Council Shop or the Gallery at Devon House? Or why not attend the Dogberry Moon Fundraising Dinner on October 1st?

Dogberry Moon, 5th Annual Friends of the Craft Council Fundraising Dinner Featuring a delicious dinner by A Taste of Class catering & live music presented by Janet Bradbury and Gerry Madden.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Reception 6:30 pm

Dinner at 7:30

Dinner includes a three course meal with vegetarian option.

Johnson GEO Centre, 175 Signal Hill Rd

Tickets: $60 (tax receipt for $30)

Silent Auction

To purchase tickets for this fabulous dinner, call Candace at 753.2749 or email info@craftcouncil.nl.ca

More information about becoming a Friend of the Craft Council here.

Photo Credits:

Top, CCNL Website, Submitted photo

Middle, CBC

Bottom, Extract from CCNL Friends Application

Photo Captions:
Top, Piece from Jason Holley's show, Breaking Point
Middle, Engraving of John Guy meeting the Beothuk people of the New Founde Land
Bottom, Devon House, 59 Duckworth St., St. John's

Demonstration Day

I'm doing a flintknapping demo at Devon House from 3-5pm today. I'll be working Ramah Chert again, so it should be fun. This is the last demonstration that I have on my calendar, so if you are curious about how people used stone and antler to create sharp tools out of rock, now's your chance. Its free!

Flintknapping Demonstration
3-5 PM
July 15th, 2009
Devon House, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
59 Duckworth St., St. John's *map*

Photo Credit: Tim Rast

Photo Caption: My percussion knapping kit - a granite hammerstone and antler billets.

Calling St. John's Craft Producers

Next weekend is the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador's Annual General Meeting and get together (May 22-24th,2009). This year's activities are taking place in and around St. John's, especially Devon House and the Anna Templeton Centre. We'll be doing a studio tour out of the city on Friday to New Harbour, Upper Island Cove, and Clarke's Beach.

If you are a craft council member living in St. John's, then I'm your regional representative. I'll be giving a report and slideshow of news and photos submitted by St. John's craftspeople. Please send me your news and gossip before next Thursday (May 21st).

Ideas for news:

• New Commissions
• Upcoming or recent Gallery Shows
• Births
• Interesting vacations
• Awards
• New Products, House, or Studio
  
• New websites or blogs
• Graduating or going back to school?
  
• anything you want to share with other craftspeople
  

The same goes for every member across the Province - you'd be doing your regional rep a favour if you send them some news and photos for their report. If you aren't sure who your representative is, you can find the list of names and contact information inside the Craft Council Newsletter.

If you'll be in St. John's next weekend and would like more information on attending, I can forward you the information that I have or you can contact Candace at the Craft Council.

Photo Credits:
Top, Tim Rast
Bottom, Nancy Jacobsen

Photo Captions:
Top: Lobster Dinner at the 2008 AGM in Lumsden-Wesleyville-Norton's Cove (They should just put Norlumsleyville on the map)
Bottom: Brenda Stratton, incoming Chair of the Craft Council Executive, on the cover of the new CCNL Newsletter.