I
cannot emphasize enough the importance of a generous figure
like George. I would like to develop three areas that make him
deserving of the Award of Honour: legacy, teaching and encouragement.
Through
his mentorship I experience a tangible link to the past. In
the sense that fine craft artists are living museums and vehicles
of cultural knowledge and history; we are fortunate to have
a craft artist as committed and studied as he is. Secondly,
I now carry the same responsibility to continue my own study
and to apply the same generosity to the next generation of craft
artists when I am in a position to share with them what I have
learned.
Additionally,
he has spent much effort developing a unique voice that is expressed
in his contemporary work. Roughly characterized as a blend of
the Arts and Crafts and Japanese woodworking techniques, his
furniture exhibits a studied harmony and manages the trick of
being useful, beautiful and well constructed. He has consistently
been involved in numerous exhibitions from 1989 to the present
and won several awards. His work has been exhibited internationally.
One of his most notable honours was his contribution to the
RCMP Memorial in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. The furnishings in St.
Thomas More church clearly demonstrate his mastery of the design
and technical aspects of the craft. He is a long standing member
and contributor to the Alberta Craft Council.
I
have been active in the craft for only a few years and there
is so much to learn. My struggle to maintain a studio and business
has been made much easier through George's teaching. He has
demonstrated useful and efficient techniques and has also helped
me to find work that kept me in the shop, instead of taking
a second job. I know of at least two other emerging woodworkers
in Edmonton who have also benefitted from George in this manner.
With thirty years experience as a professional craft artist
George has much practical wisdom to share regarding the day
to day management of a studio/workshop. Anyone who has pursued
a career as a professional craft artist will understand the
value of this kind of information. We cannot fake or buy experience,
but we can borrow and benefit from that of others - if they
are willing to share it.
Finally,
I need to acknowledge his encouragement. Without downplaying
the pitfalls and challenges of nursing a one person studio into
existence George has been very supportive. From passing on work
as noted, to letting his reputation back stop the efforts of
myself and others (which is a frightening responsibility at
the time). He even offered to finance the purchase of much needed
equipment- an extraordinary kind of capital grant program for
emerging craft artists. I left my first visit to his shop with
an armload of exotic wood, an earful of cautious optimism and
the advice to get a real vehicle if I wanted anyone to take
me seriously.
George
Heagle's chief contribution to Alberta's fine craft culture
has been the cultivation of the generation after him. His outstanding
body of work will speak for itself, as well as his perseverance
in grinding out a career in a difficult climate. These alone
are enough to warrant the recognition of this award. Still,
I feel that his years of generosity, whether teaching at NAIT,
in his own shop or mentoring at a breakfast meeting are his
most vital and enduring contribution to fine craft culture in
this province.
-
Brad Goertz (Designer/Maker)
