Atlantic Canadian Craft Awards Handed Out

Five people received recognition for outstanding contributions to the Atlantic Canadian crafts industry at a ceremony today in Halifax. The awards were announced at a reception held by the Atlantic Crafts Trade Show in the World Trade and Convention Centre.

"Crafts production is a growing industry that adds $335 million a year to provincial economies in Atlantic Canada," said show manager John Gillis. "These awards are designed to acknowledge the special contributions of exceptional people within the industry."

Two companies, Seagull Pewter of Pugwash, N.S., and Exploits of St. John's, Nfld., shared The Prominence of Design Award, given to producers who consistently demonstrate significant use of design in their products.

John Caraberis and Bonnie Bond began Seagull Pewter and Silversmiths Ltd. in 1978 as a home-based business. Today, the company employs 300 people and designs and produces a wide range of products including clocks, candlesticks, picture frames, tray and crystal stemware that are mostly made from pewter. As well, Seagull contributes to educational and environmental projects.

Exploits' owner Karen Pottle operates a St. John's garment manufacturing business. A former theatre costume designer, she entered the crafts industry three years ago and won best new product prize at the 1998 Atlantic Crafts Trade Show. Ms. Pottle takes traditional fishermen's oilskins and turns them into a line of fashionable clothing that features Newfoundland placenames such as the Avalon great coat, the La Scie anorak, and the Canso jacket.

Sue Klabunde, owner of Spots Pots in Halifax, won The Outstanding Exporter Award. Ms. Klabunde, a Nova Scotia College of Art and Design graduate, began her ceramics company 10 years ago with a line of hand-painted flower pots. Today, she manufactures playfully designed ceramic art pottery, including items such as bowls, plates, teapots and goblets with brand names such as Wigglieware and Squareware. Ms. Klabunde exports 90 per cent of her products outside the Maritimes.

Gail Griffiths, of Newfoundland Weavery in St. John's, was awarded The Industry Support Award, given for support and development of the crafts and giftware industry for three or more years. Ms. Griffiths has helped build the Newfoundland crafts industry since the mid-1970s, including her work in establishing two cottage industries for knitters on Newfoundland's south coast. She operates a craft store in St. John's, but one day a week she advises developing crafts people on product design, packaging and marketing, and she gives feedback on new products.

The Industry Leader Award recognizes exceptional contribution to the industry over 10 years. The award went to Ray Mackie of Stephenville, Nfld., a teacher and craftsman who in 1980 established Newfoundland and Labrador's first post-secondary visual arts credit program. The program expanded to include product development and business training and accommodates people with formal or informal crafts backgrounds. Mr. Mackie has inspired hundreds of students. He leads pottery workshops and, with partner Debra Kuzyk, makes a successful line of clay kitchenware under the name Lucky Rabbit.

"These people typify the energy, expertise and empathy of the very best crafts people in Atlantic Canada: people solving design problems; people conquering new export markets; and people giving of their time and expertise to allow others to benefit from their knowledge," said Mr. Gillis, the trade show manager. "It is thanks to people such as these that Atlantic Crafts continues to grow and improve each year."

The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is the largest wholesale craft show in Canada and has been held annually for 22 years. The three-day show attracted 250 exhibitors from the four Atlantic provinces this year and about 3,000 buyers from Canada and the United States.

The Atlantic Craft Trade Show and awards are organized by the provincial governments of the four Atlantic provinces. Newfoundland and Labrador hosted the event this year, but the show took place in Halifax because of its central location for visiting business people.