SASKATCHEWAN CRAFT COUNCIL
01. Two Random Thoughts from the Executive Director
02. Membership Directory Up and Running
03. Wintergreen Report
04. Harbourfront Artist-in-Residence Program
05. Lifetime Honourary Memberships
06. Welcome New and Returning SCC Members

01. Two Random Thoughts from the Executive Director
Patti Shiplett was kind enough to invite me to the unveiling of her statue “The Gift” at the White Stone Business Park in Saskatoon. I had the honour of meeting the commissioner of the piece, Darrell Remai of the Caleb Group of Companies. They build and operate retirement villages across Western Canada. When talking to Mr. Remai, the pride that he has in the quality of service his company delivers exuded from him. It is no wonder that the Caleb Group has grown from a start-up to one now operating 12 villages, employing 400 people, and providing care for 1,000 seniors.

Many corporations have mission statements – most of them seem to be designed to demonstrate that senior management took a thesaurus to their annual golfing/planning retreat. The Caleb Group seemed different in two ways. Their mission statement is simple and encrypted in the corporate name – after Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, 12 spies were sent to investigate the Promised Land. Ten came back bearing tales of dangers and obstacles. Two, including Caleb, returned full of optimism about the opportunities and faith in their ability (with the help of their God) to achieve. This attitude sums up Mr. Remai’s company. The second difference between the Caleb Group’s mission statement and most other corporations is profound – the Caleb Group lives up to its statement.

It all seems like an appropriate place for Patti’s sculpture.

Now for a lighter moment.

A few days ago, I was awakened by many drunk people singing obscene versions of “When the Saints go Marching In.” When I went out to investigate, many drunken voices started going “SSHHH.” However, the street was deserted. No light on in any houses, nobody to be seen.

Then I saw them. A house two doors down is home to a number of students. There were about 10 people on the roof. After they saw they’d been spotted, one called down that they were waiting for the meteor shower.
“Meteor shower?”, I asked – demonstrating the profoundness of my early morning wit.
“It’s supposed to be the biggest in 33 years,” came the explanation.
“Will you be able to see it from behind the clouds?” I asked.
“I don’t see any clouds.”
“Do you see any stars?”
“No.”
It was my turn to offer explanations. “That usually means there’s a cloud in the way.”
There was a silence, and then they all started to climb down from the roof. One came up to me and thanked me for coming along. “It was getting cold up there,” he said.
“Just out of Curiosity, are you engineering students?” I asked.
“How did you know?”

02. Membership Directory Up and Running
The new SCC members directory is officially up and running. Visit the Saskatchewan Craft Council website to see it!

The membership is a replacement for the Fine Craft Guide – it is designed to give you exposure on the internet, or, if you have your own website, to help drive traffic to your site. There are two differences between the membership directory and the Fine Craft Guide:

1. It doesn’t cost you anything. The Fine Craft Guide cost $50 per year – the Membership Directory is part of your member benefits without any additional charge.
2. It’s easier – with the Fine Craft Guide, members were responsible for uploading their own images and information. We’ve come to the conclusion that many SCC members are better makers than computer nerds – so now we do this for you.

There is one big weakness still in the Membership Directory. That is – many of you have still not provided us with the information and images that we need. As a result, when someone clicks on your name, they get a pretty blank page.

Please help us change this. If you haven’t provided Colin with your picture, images of your work, and a short blurb about your work, please do so asap by e-mailing him at colin@integityimages.ca. The sooner you get your material to him, the sooner you have a good presence. For those who are up, don’t forget to stay current. As you produce new work or change you focus, provide Colin with the information and images. We want to present you in the best possible way – but we need your help.

Finally, this directory is meant as a service for you. If you don’t have a website, it gives you an internet presence at no cost and very little hassle. If you have your own website, the member directory will help drive traffic to you.

03. Wintergreen Report
Wintergreen 2009 had some contradictory results. Attendance was down, but sales were up. The highlights are that:

• Attendance dropped by 500 people. This is our first decline in attendance after three consecutive years of increases.
• Average reported sales by marketers was $4,466, compared to $4,200 last year. Of marketers filling out their reports, 19 reported an increase in sales, 14 reported a decrease, and 24 reported stable sales, did not say, or were selling for the first time.
  

This year, Wintergreen (WG) and Our Best to You (OB2U) ended up being scheduled on the same weekend. Using special techniques she learned from Dumbledore, SCC Board Member and Jeweller Megan Hazel was present simultaneously at both sales. She compares both of them:

• Cost - booth cost very comparable, but OB2U a little more expensive.
• Sales - very successful at both shows. At WG I tend to sell to repeat customers and customers that know about Fine Craft. I sell higher end pieces at WG than OB2U.
• Ease of dealing with organizers - both organizers are helpful.
• Booth location - Layout of WG is much more comfortable and classy. OB2U is very cramped and you can easily get missed.
• Ambience - everyone prefers the atmosphere at WG. It is an enjoyable high end shopping experience. OB2U has good selection from across the country but you get moved along with the mass of people and miss many things. The quality over all isn't very high.
• Customer types - WG tends to have repeat customers who are well educated in Fine Craft (& Collectors). OB2U customers are all age groups including many out-of-towners. OB2U is great to get your name out to many more people. They were always surprised the work is made by someone from here, by hand and original designs so a lot of educating on the techniques needs to be done.

Next year, Wintergreen will be held on November 19 to 21. We understand that Our Best to You will be a week earlier so this year’s scheduling conflict will be eliminated.

We are searching for elves costumes next year to have clearly identified helpers and tour guides. If anyone knows where these can be bought or rented at a reasonable price, call Chris at 306.653.3616, ext. 24.

04. Harbourfront Artist-in-Residence Program
The Harbourfront Centre in Toronto has one of Canada’s most unique and exciting Artist-in-Residence Programs for Craft Artists.

Public Presentation By: Melanie Egan, Head of the Craft Department, Harbourfront Centre. Monday, November 30 – 7:30 pm at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery - 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon. All Members of the Public Welcomed.

For more information: Contact Mark at 306.653.3616, ext. 27. View PDF Poster...

05. Lifetime Honourary Memberships
At the Saskatoon opening of Playing with Dimensions on November 27, three individuals will be honoured by the Saskatchewan Craft Council with the grant of an Honourary Lifetime Membership.

Courtney Milne (Professional Craft Person)
Courtney Milne is a photographer and writer whose work portrays the theme of landscape as a powerful influence on the human condition. He has published 13 books of photography, and 5 books on the Prairies. His multi-media shows have thrilled audiences worldwide and his prints have been exhibited in more than 200 exhibitions across Canada and internationally. His latest innovative project is an online daily experience based on his Pool of Possibilities images.

Courtney has received many honours, including being a two-time recipient of the Agfa Special Achievement Award in Photography and the Gold Medal for Distinction in Photography from the Canadian Association of Photographic Art. He received an Honourary Doctor of Law degree from the University of Regina in 2005, was a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Centennial Arts Pin, and in 2009 was honoured as one of the 100 Alumni of Influence named for the 100th Anniversary of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Arts and Science.

The SCC is the only provincial craft council to recognize photography as a craft media. Courtney played an influential role in this decision – both through the demonstration of exquisite craftsmanship in his photography and through his long-term support for the activities of the SCC.

Courtney joins Michael Hosaluk, Jack Sures, Kaija Sanelma Harris and Folmer Hanson as Lifetime Honourary Professional Craftperson Members of the SCC.

Dr. Louis and Ruth Horlick (Patrons)
Dr. Louis and Ruth Horlick moved to Saskatchewan about six decades ago, and have made an immense contribution to Saskatchewan’s community.

Dr. Louis Horlick was one of Canada’s leading cardiologists, and served as the head of the Cardiology Department at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine. He has also written several books on the history of the medical education in Saskatchewan. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, and has won the Annual Achievement Award from the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

Ruth Horlick trained and worked as a psychiatric nurse. She played a particular important role in developing services for children with learning disabilities. Ruth has worked tirelessly as a volunteer in social service and cultural community organizations and has won both the National Volunteer Award and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award. She is a recipient of the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.

The Horlick’s have been long-term supporters of the Saskatchewan Craft Council. Ruth served on the Advisory Committee to plan for the acquisition of the SCC Gallery at 813 Broadway Avenue, and they were generous supporters of the building fund. More importantly, they have been long-term purchasers of Saskatchewan craft and supporters of individual craft artists. Ruth says, “We appreciate beautiful things and the skill and craftsmanship on which they are based. If people produce lovely articles and no one buys them – then what?”

Dr. Louis and Ruth Horlick join Dr. Lynda Haverstock as Lifetime Honourary Patron Members of the SCC.

06. Welcome New SCC Members

Alison Gillis – Regina, SK – Patron
Peter & Marigold Cribb – Saskatoon, SK – Patron
Lynne Neault – Saskatoon, SK – Patron