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January
9 - February 20, 2010 Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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The Alberta Craft Council is excited to present the 5th Annual Alberta Craft Awards. These awards recognize the value and contribution of individuals to Alberta's fine craft culture. All nominees and recipients were recognized at a ceremony at the at Arts on Atlantic Gallery in Calgary on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The Alberta Craft Council is the Provincial Arts Service organization that develops, promotes and advocates for fine craft in Alberta. Since 1980, the ACC has promoted craft in Alberta through exhibitions, publications, marketing ventures, education, awareness projects and information services to its membership and to the general public. The ACC has a dual role: to support contemporary (and heritage) crafts as significant art forms that contributes to Alberta's culture; and to develop a craft sector of creative, skilled, viable and sustainable craftspeople, studio, businesses and networks.
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The 2009 Alberta Craft Award Recipients are:
donations from the many individuals who make them possible. Follow this link |
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Presented to honour an Alberta professional craftsperson working in clay, this award was created to celebrate the life of Linda Stanier. |
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"In 2001 I built a large train kiln at our studio in Edmonton. Christian came around while I was planning the kiln and asked if he could help, because he wanted to learn more about woodfiring. His help was essential to the completion of the project and he helped me fire it a couple of times. The work that he got from the kiln was quite impressive, especially from a youthful potter. "In 2003 and 2004 Christian went to Pennsylvania to work with Jack Troy, who has written the definitive book about woodfiring. When he came back, I was impressed with his progress. He was becoming a very competent ceramic artist. "From 2004 to 2007, Christian worked tirelessly to revive the somewhat moribund Alberta Potters Association. His commitment to serving the clay community was tremendous and continues with his offering workshop opportunities for other potters. He has authored articles for the international woodfired publication "Log Book" and continues to be an example for other aspiring potters. "Christian moved from the city to the country to facilitate a lifestyle which revolves around the making of woodfired pottery. He and his partner, Enzien, have created a studio and home basically off the grid with wood and solar power, which shows the artistic creation of a studio, home, kiln building and lifestyle." Richard Selfridge |
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Wood Fired creamic with wood handles
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Presented to a volunteer/supporter/teacher/craftsperson (individual or group) that has made a significant contribution to Alberta's Fine Craft Culture. |
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This year two fine craft artists were deemed equally worthy of the award. and
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Nominated by Dee Fontans "Joan Irvin is an interdisciplinary artist whose jewellery and small-scale mixed media works have been exhibited nationally, in the US, Europe, Korea & Japan. Originally trained as a ceramic artist, Joan completed a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of Calgary in the early '80's, followed by study at the Banff Centre. After working as a ceramic artist, technician, art/craft instructor, and arts administrator (Supervisor of Calgary Wildflower Arts Centre), Joan registered in the Jewellery and Metals program at the ACAD in 1999; winning numerous awards and graduating with distinction. She further developed her metalworking skills through study at the Penland School of Crafts. She is currently a sessional instructor at ACAD and a workshop instructor across Western Canada. The students Irvin mentors view her as a role model. The admiration and respect the students have for Joan inspired them to nominate her as "Arts Educator of the Year" for the NICHE Awards in Philadelphia in 2005, 2006 and 2008. "Joan's enthusiasm for the decorative arts, creativity and community is clear through her out-standing history of volunteerism. Joan is active in a variety of arts organizations, and also serves as a writer and curator. Her work as the Sessional Representative of the ACAD union gave a voice to those instructors less empowered in the institution. Her commitment to craft has been appreciated by groups and organizations she has assisted including Invisible/Visible Symposium, Alberta Craft Council, the Metalphoric Association of Metal Arts and the Calgary Rock and Lapidary Club. "Joan has been an ambassador for the arts in Alberta. She has dedicated her working career and life to the development of the arts as a master craftsman, arts administrator, volunteer and educator." Dee Fontans |
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Anodized
aluminum, sterling silver, brass |
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Nominated by Les Manning "Jim is one of a kind - in positive attitude - in professionalism - as a craft community supporter and a dedicated historian through his artistic pursuits. He is unique in his approach to ceramic ceramist mural making, an experience he realized as a way of working, during his employment with I-X-L Industries, the brick makers who still provide the wet bricks he carves into visual narrative messages. The foundation for these clay creations came out of the experience of doing historic drawings and painting. "His contributions to the community include: founding member of the Alberta Craft Council, Past President and Vice President of the Alberta Potter's Association, Past President of the Archaeological Society, Chairman of the Historical Resources Advisory Board. He has worked to support more than a dozen different associations in all. One of his more specific challenges was the copious number of hours and political risk (in a small community) to help save the Medalta Pottery site from total destruction and the early work to get more people on side to develop the historic district. "The carved brick murals have become Jim's main stay and signature work - truly his passion of creativity. These works adorn numerous Civic buildings, Parks, Churches, and Race Tracks as well as private venues. For decades, this now 70 year old, highly prolific artist has been commissioned to do more low relief murals than any other muralist in Canada. "The culmination of James Marshall's prestigious output is commendable. He puts his total life into his work and his work into his life. His craft dedication, love and respect of a lifestyle, and an effective evolution in art making have left a huge footprint on our culture and our ideals." Les Manning |
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creamic
mural |
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Award of Excellence Presented to an established craftsperson who excels in his/her area of craft (ACC members only). |
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Nominated by Chris Boha "Tyler Rock is an artist of international repute who has underpinned the development of contemporary glass in Canada through his role as an artist and teacher and is worthy of recognition for his significant contributions. "Since graduating with distinction from ACAD in 1989, Tyler divides his time between teaching glassblowing at ACAD, at "Series" in Red Deer and working in his Firebrand Glass Works studio in Black Diamond. He is currently President of the Glass Art Association of Canada. "Tyler Rock has an extensive practice in glass that is recognized worldwide and acknowledged by his invitations to demonstrate, work and teach extensively across Canada as well as the US, Japan, Scotland, Spain and France. His work is synonymous with Canadian glass and through his innovation in practice and ongoing dedication to his craft he has brought international attention to the Canadian glass movement. From his lidded vessel series to his recent glass landscape works, Tyler's skill, craftsmanship and passion are instantly recognizable. "As a teacher and now head of the department at ACAD, Tyler has tirelessly given of his time and energy, guiding, encouraging and helping both students and graduates. The Glass Department's visiting artist program has flourished under his supervision, bringing many notable international glass artists to Alberta. As a long time instructor of the only degree glass program in the country, Tyler's significant contributions can be seen in the new generation of emerging and professional Canadian glass artists who are, and will continue to be, the legacy of his teaching. "Tyler also co-founded the Bhava Glassworks Glass Studio and Artist Co-operative project, Norms Garage glass studio and Firebrand Glass studio, all noteworthy studios that have been pivotal to the establishment and continuing success of Alberta glass. Indeed without such studios providing rental space to local artists Alberta would not have the flourishing glass community that exists today." Chris Boha |
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blown glass |
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Award of Achievement Presented to an emerging craftsperson/student, in recognition of his/her achievement to date and/or potential (ACC members only). |
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This year two fine craft artists were deemed equally worthy of the award. and |
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Nominated by Shona Rae "Gillian is a young designer/maker that has proven her commitment to a career in art and design. She graduated from the ACAD in 2007, where she was the recipient of their Emerging Artist Award. Gillian was also a finalist in Lafreniere Pai's 4th National Student Jewellery Competition. Shortly after graduating she participated in the ACC 'Coming up Next' for emerging artists and she has not looked back. Since her graduation she has successfully pursued a professional career as a jewellery artist and designer. "Gillian won 'Best Utilization of Pearls' in Zilberschmuck Gallery's 'Formula' exhibition in 2008. She has participated in local, national and North American exhibitions since graduating and this year her work will be included in the Canadian Boutique at the Cheongju International Craft Biennale in South Korea. "Gillian has been selling her work at the prestigious 'One of a Kind Show' in Toronto and Vancouver, the 'Made in Canada Craft Market' in Calgary, as well as, participating in the 'Box Social' on line art boutique featuring Western Canadian Artists. Her work is also found regularly at the ACC as well as INFLUX Jewellery Gallery." Shona Rae |
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Nominated by Amber Rooke "Since Stephanie graduated with her BFA, I have seen her career and her artwork evolve rapidly over the last six years. During these emergent years she has operated as a seasoned artist: proactively installing herself as a member of the Edmonton art scene and seeking out all available opportunities including attaining a technical position with The Works Festival in 2005. Today, with sustained momentum, she professionally supports herself, her studio and the community with employment as an arts instructor through various organizations in Edmonton, including the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, Harcourt House Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Alberta. "In 2008, Stephanie was nominated for the Emerging Artist of the Year Award at the Mayor's Evening of the Arts. That same year, Stephanie won the Enbridge Emerging Artist Award which provided national recognition. Today she maintains a studio at Harcourt House Arts Centre in downtown Edmonton, where she was the 2007/2008 Artist in Residence. This fall, Stephanie is going to the Banff Centre for a two month long residency with a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts." Amber Rooke |
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Alberta
Craft Council would like to thank the following |
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2007-2008
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2008-2009
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2009-2010
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Christian
Barr - Wildwood, AB
Joan
Irvin, Calgary
Party
Dresses, 1995
James
Marshall (Medicine Hat)
"Saamis
the Legend" 
Tyler
Rock - Black Diamond, AB
Luminaries
Gillian
Hillerud - Calgary, AB
Brooch
Stephanie
Jonsson - Edmonton, AB