Seven Nova Scotians Nominated for Atlantic Craft Awards

TOURISM/CULTURE--Seven Nova Scotians Nominated for Atlantic Craft Awards

The excellence and achievements of seven Nova Scotia craftspeople will be recognized at the 2002 Atlantic Canada Craft Awards. The ceremony is held in conjunction with the Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS), which take place at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax Feb. 2-4. The nominees represent all four categories of awards.

"The awards recognize the leadership and excellence of craftspeople in our region," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "I congratulate all nominees for their contributions to the craft industry in Atlantic Canada." The awards also recognize the lives of those who are strong supporters of the craft industry.

Nova Scotia's nominees include NovaMercantile.com, White's Lake, for the Outstanding Exporter Award; Simple Things, Mahone Bay, and Under One Roof, Annapolis Royal, for Outstanding Retailer Award; Cumberland Black Artists, Amherst, and Cape Breton Centre for Craft, Sydney, for Industry Leader/Supporter Award; and Halifax's Sharon Fiske and Lunenburg's Joan Bruneau for the Excellence in Product Design Award.

"The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence are an important component of this annual trade show," said Chris Tyler, manager of anchor organizations, Department of Tourism and Culture, who chairs the 2002 show. "This is our opportunity to recognize the leaders who personify the highest standards and credibility within the Atlantic Canadian craft and giftware industry."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Atlantic Craft Trade Show. Organized by the provincial governments of Atlantic Canada, the show is designed to promote Atlantic Canadian crafts and giftware to buyers from across Canada, the United States and elsewhere. For more information, visit the Atlantic Craft Trade Show Web site at www.actshow.ca .