Craft Australia Update and Action you can take to help – please read.

MEDIA RELEASE

Craft Australia Defunded by the Australia Council

The Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council announced in October that it would defund Craft Australia, the national peak organisation for the craft and design sector. Without its financial support Craft Australia will be forced to close by December 2011 and its significant 40 year legacy will be lost. The network of Australian Craft and Design Centres, (ACDC), support Craft Australia in seeking to revoke the Visual Arts Board, (VAB) decision. Craft Australia believes the decision by the VAB is unjustified and was made without proper consultation either with Craft Australia or the craft and design sector. The decision has not followed due process or due governance and is in breach of its own documented guidelines. Craft Australia is challenging this decision and is also seeking immediate interim funding from the Australia Council. Robert Reason the President of Craft Australia said: “The interim funding would allow Craft Australia to restructure in a responsible manner and manage its significant heritage assets and active programs appropriately. It would also send a clear message to the craft and design sector that the Australia Council and through it the Australian Government remains committed to the preservation of our cultural heritage”. He also said, “Craft Australia delivers a dynamic and diverse program that promotes and supports Australian craft and design practice nationally and internationally.” Craft Australia’s website, www.craftaustralia.org.au, has over 1 million unique page visitors annually and provides access to events, exhibitions, and commissioned articles on craft and design. The organisation also engages with readers so they can actively respond to issues through Craft Australia’s social media sites on twitter, facebook and the CA blog, www.craftaustralia.blogspot.com Some of Craft Australia’s recent achievements in support of the sector include the newly established craft + design enquiry online journal, an international forum for practice based research; the Selling Yarns conferences for contemporary Indigenous craft and design practices and attracting funding to digitise its unique collection of images. Significantly, Craft Australia ensures that the craft and design sector has a voice on national decision making organisations such the Australian Design Alliance (AdA), ArtsPeak, the National Visual Arts Craft Network (NVACN) and the Council for Humanities Arts and Social Sciences, (CHASS). Without a national organisation there can be no concerted advocacy position for the Australian craft and design sector. This could leave the sector vulnerable to further erosion of funding. For more information about the decision to defund Craft Australia, contact Robert Reason, President of Craft Australia on 02 6273 0088. Please sign the PETITION For more details on the Save Craft Australia action please see the Craft Australia blog

For more information please contact:
Catrina Vignando, General Manager -catrina.vignando [at] craftaustralia.org.au.au – (02) 6273 0088
Craft Australia
National Press Club, Level 1, Suite 7, 16 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6273 0088 Fax: (02) 6273 6088

Upcoming Exhibitions @ Willock & Sax Gallery



NovemberJoin us on Saturday November 5
Reception for Barbara Tipton and The Makings II, 2-5 pm
Andrew Nikiforuk book signing 6-7:30 pm

Barbara Tipton, Thunderhead Blue, ceramic sculptureA Departure of Cups with Barbara Tipton
Tapping our memories, Barbara Tipton returns to familiar themes to investigate fundamental forms and expressions on and of cups and saucers
The Makings II – group exhibition
The gallery is hosting its second annual group exhibition of contemporary and historic ceramic works by established senior gallery artists, a selection of innovative mid-career, and a number of emerging ceramicists. Ceramic artists included are John Chalke RCA, Bradley Keys, Les Manning, Robin, Dupont, Emily Schroeder Willis, Ed Bamiling, Neil Liske, Sean Kunz, Fran Cuyler, Do-Hee Sung, Priscilla Janes, and more. In addition, historic works by past Royal Canadian Academy artist Luke Lindoe rounds out the exhibition.

Willock & Sax Gallery
Open 10 – 6 daily
closed for 12-1 for lunch on weekdays

403-762-2214
866-859-2220
[email protected]

110 Bison Courtyard, 211 Bear St.
P.O. Box 2469
Banff, AB
T1L 1C2

London Potters Annual Exhibition of Ceramics – Morley Gallery 31 October – 16 November 2011

The exhibition is open to all members, who are requested to submit three pieces of work and are accepted on a “first come, first served” basis. The exhibitors are strictly limited to 90 and range from well-known ceramicists to newly graduated makers, from professional to amateurs potters. (Full details of opening times and how to get there are under our events section). This is an excellent show and often provides exciting and surprising work and can also be a good source for that extra Christmas present.

Linda Dangoor; Richard Ballantyne; Gunizi Amirak; Isobel Allan-Lowe; Norman Yap; Carole Irwin (top left to bottom right)”

SNEEK PEAK: Interpreting the Cup: Process, Influence and Intent – Curated by Jason Bige Burnett

November 5 – December 31

Michael Corney Food From Above Cup
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Michael Corney

David Eichelberger Black Mug

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David Eichelberger

Leslie Hinton "Squishy Baghoush" Cup

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Leslie Hinton

Nick Joerling Mug

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Nick Joerling

Susan Feagin Cup

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Susan Feagin

“Cups today and throughout history have reflected the way we live. Whether it’s function is utilitarian, or an abstraction of an idea, this simple form is complex. Artists have been selected for this exhibit to represent how they interpret the ceramic cup through their range of processes, influences, and intentions. This exhibit will feature over 375 cups representing more than 80 of the finest ceramic artists. The exhibit is curated by Jason Bige Burnett.

The artists that are featured in this exhibit include: Tom Spleth, David Eichelberger, Ayumi Horie, Brad Schwieger, Kenyon Hansen, Elisa Helland-Hansen, Kristen Kieffer, Kathy King, Michael Kline, Jerilyn Virden, Courtney Martin, Courtney Murphy, Andy Shaw, Mikey Walsh, Kari Radasch, Lindsay Rogers, Benjamin Carter, Lana Wilson, Joe Pintz, Tammy Marinuzzi, Posey Bacopoulos, Israel Davis, Erik Scollon, Amy Santoferraro, Ted Adler, Lindsay Oesterritter, Deborah Schwartzkopf, Matt Long, Susan Feagin, Gillian Parke, Ronan Kyle Peterson, Emily Reason, Nicholas Bivins, Michael Corney, Nick Joerling, Shawn OConner, Emily Schroeder, Meredith Host, Justin Rothshank, Paul Donnelly, Matt Kelleher, Shoko Teruyama, Liz Zlot Summerfield, Jeff Campana, Jennifer Allen, Mark Errol, Bryan Hopkins, Kyle Carpenter, Ryan McKerley, Pattie Chalmers, Kelly McKibben Harro, Judith Duff, Naomi Cleary, Brooke Noble, Mike Jabbur, Triesch Voelker, Andrew Gilliat, Jenny Mendes, John Simmons, Ron Meyers, James Tingey, Annette Gates, Jason Bige Burnett, John Britt, Martina Lantin, Lorna Meadon, Jeremy “Jr.” Kane, Roberta Massuch, gwendolyn yoppolo, Rough and Perfect, Paul Andrew Wandless, Eric Knoche, Brian J. Taylor, Sam Chung, Erik Haagensen, Virginia Graham, Leslie Hinton, Lisa Clague, Ian Meares, Kevin Snipes, Paul Callahan, Patrick Coughlin and Chris Pickett.

This exhibition will open on November 5th and remain through December 31st. The exhibition will also be available online on November 5th.”For more info please visit The Crimson Laurel Gallery Website