Atlantic Craft Awards

The first Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence will be presented Monday, Feb. 9, to recognize the best of Atlantic Canadian craft design and industry development.

The awards are being presented in association with the Atlantic Craft Trade Show, an annual event since 1977 bringing together leaders in the region's craft and giftware industry to promote their products to buyers from across North America.

During the trade show Feb. 7-9, more than 220 businesses will conduct $1.5 million in sales at wholesale prices to wholesalers buyers, agents, representatives and distributors in the international marketplace.

Last year's show attracted more than 1,500 buyers. Products on display include stained glass, pottery, handmade stationery, woodcrafts, pewter ware, jewelry and fabrics.

"The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is a showcase for our region's top crafts people and industry professionals," said Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison. "The success of this event highlights the importance of this industry to our culture and our economy."

The Atlantic Canadian craft industry is estimated to be worth nearly $200 million annually.

The Craft Awards for Excellence offer recognition of the leadership and superiority of professional craftspeople and strong supporters of the industry. The awards fall in four categories:

• Prominence of Design, to be awarded to the producer whose products consistently demonstrate the significance of design solution in their conception, development and production. The purpose of the award is to increase awareness of the benefits of design to producers, and to draw attention to the high quality of product design in the Atlantic region.

The nominees are Bay Life Art (Nova Scotia), Cabin Fever (Nova Scotia), Chris Joyce (Nova Scotia), Jeff Cowling (Nova Scotia), and Stitches from Salmonier (Newfoundland).

• Outstanding Exporter, to be awarded to the individual or organization that has been instrumental in the exporting of crafts/giftware from one or more of the Atlantic provinces to outside of this region. The purpose of the award is to increase the profile of manufacturers and products, and to draw attention to the extent of export achievement from the Atlantic region.

The nominees are Bay Life Art (Nova Scotia) and Great Northern Knitters (Prince Edward Island).

• Industry Leader, to be awarded to an individual or organization that has demonstrated superior leadership, excellence and compassion, and has made exceptional contributions to the industry over the past 10 years. The purpose of the award is to recognize the leadership qualities made by an individual or organization through a business, school, tourism, marketing or activities within one's community in the Atlantic region.

The nominees are Newfoundland and Labrador Crafts Development Association and Trudi Walker (Prince Edward Island).

• Industry Supporter, to be awarded to an individual or organization that has been instrumental in support and development of the quality crafts/giftware industry in one or more of the Atlantic provinces for three years or more.

The nominees are Adrian Abbott (Nova Scotia), Elizabeth Mason (Nova Scotia), Textile Studies Programme, College of the Atlantic (Newfoundland), and Sandra Winter (Nova Scotia).

The trade show takes place at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. Award winners will be announced at a breakfast on Monday, Feb. 9. Lloyd Gillis, deputy minister at Education and Culture, and representatives from the other three Atlantic provinces will be on hand to congratulate the winners.

The award itself is a work of art, designed by Ingo Doetsch of Raven Glass Studio of Stanley, N.B.

"The craft and giftware industry has the unique dual role of business developer and cultural promoter," said Mr. Harrison. "The awards celebrate the best of both worlds and recognize the leadership shown in Atlantic Canada."

The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is organized by the governments of the four Atlantic provinces. In Nova Scotia, the Department of Education and Culture is partnered with Economic Development and Tourism.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or to attend the awards breakfast, please contact either John Gillis or Catherine MacIsaac at the above numbers.