NAKED CRAFT Symposium Tomorrow!

by | Jun 26, 2015 | Uncategorized

NAKED CRAFT NETWORK

“Craft
is significant to Canadian culture; historically, socially, culturally
and economically having the ability to unify and connect diverse
cultures, ethnicities and ways of life. Many people define craft
differently and consequently the term has a wide range of meanings and
values within contemporary society. We all have a connection to craft in
some way, through the products we consume, through the cultural
traditions passed down from generation to generation or through the
items and objects we encounter on a daily basis.  What draws people to
contemporary craft is authenticity, originality, creativity and the
tangible experience of an object that creates meaning and value beyond
its’ physical form.

The
Naked Craft Network is an international research project that brings
together the best of contemporary Canadian and Scottish craft.

Naked
Craft is designed to be playful in how it engages a public audience; at
a time in popular culture when the words “handcrafted” and “artisanal”
are the “it” words of marketing houses, attention must be redirected
back to craft itself. Craft is a sexy word, and Naked Craft intends to
show the viewer just how sexy craft itself can be. Naked Craft examines
craft practice through the four main themes: New Positions; Down and
Dirty: politics and materials; DIY; and Tooling up: new technologies and
economies.

Naked
Craft looks to contribute towards a better understanding of continuity
and change within the discipline. It is evident that despite the
cultural diversity and obstacles that influence craft making in Canada,
in Scotland, and around the world, there are many similarities and
shared values that influence the craft sector. In Canada we’re putting
forth a concerted effort toward public outreach and new ways of
presenting craft to audiences as diverse as the communities of craft
makers whom we support. With an increase in the awareness of
contemporary craft and an understanding of its value, comes the
potential of increased sales, consumption, recognition and promotion for
both makers and their objects. As such, both the individuals creating
craft as well as those consuming it are rewarded with culturally
enriching experiences, which support the local economy and encourage a
focus on high-quality craft objects that are lasting and well made. 

Naked Craft has spanned almost four years of research in two countries
and includes two workshop/residencies, three symposiums, a touring
exhibition and a publication. The NCN is interested in broadly
developing a better understanding of the relationships between the
identities that are inherently attributed to geopolitical regions of
practice, and the reciprocal role that the material production of craft
plays in building, maintaining and disseminating these identities in a
global arena of commerce and culture in the future. ” – via Naked Craft Website

THE NAKED CRAFT SYMPOSIUM

The
Naked Craft Symposium brings together makers, researches, and the
general public to discuss the themes explored throughout the Naked Craft
project, and to look forward at the future for craft.

 The symposium will take place at the Art Gallery of Burlington on Saturday June 27, 2015.

Member Registration: Symposium & Lunch $75.00 (Art Gallery of Burlington and Craft Ontario members)
Regular Registration: Symposium & Lunch $85.00
Student Registration: Symposium & Lunch $45.00

Registration online: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/naked-craft-symposium-tickets-16144778467
Registration by phone: Heather at 905-632-7796 ext 307
Information: Denis at 905-632-7796 ext 303

Find the full schedule here. 

Portrait and master classes with Marc Leuthold and Martin McWilliam (July 30.-31.2015)

by | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized

The
Ceramic Fair is not only a showcase of the best in the ceramic
community but also provides the opportunity to rap on the knuckles with
the best in the field as they create their pieces of work. Every year
the Werkschule invites two outstanding ceramic artists to host a one-day
“Ceramic Portrait”-Workshop. During this workshop the artists reveal
and demonstrate how and why  they go about creating their art. Collegues
from the international scene get involved in this extraordinary event
the day before the fair. Thus, it is of no surprise that, within the
creative setting of the Werkschule, – this workshop is a lot of fun  –
proven by the keen interest of participants and artists.      

Find all the details here. 

australia update….

by | Jun 19, 2015 | Uncategorized

Well i guess i can’t delay the sad news anymore, even though i’d like to believe this isn’t actually happening….

I’m deeply disappointed and sorry to announce that I’ve had to cancel my workshops in Australia at the Canberra Potters’ Society and Slow Clay. Sadly I will also be missing the Stepping Up: 14th Australian Ceramics Triennale 2015 coming up in a few weeks.

I’m okay, but due to illness I’m no longer able to travel overseas until I undergo surgery. Basically since ending
up in the ER last friday I no longer have any medical insurance to
cover my trip. Pre-existing condition now, blah blah blah…And with the
potential of needing emergency surgery while out of country I just
can’t risk the financial bankruptcy that such a situation would cause. I
also can’t put my health in jeopardy. My family and our health is
priority. 

I’m heartbroken
to not be returning to Australia. It’s been too long and I miss my
friends and the ceramics community over there terribly. I had been
looking forward to meeting up with many new friends as well, and the
opportunity to present at the Australian Triennale, and the two
workshops alongside Benjamin Carter were going to be such wonderful professional learning experiences for me.

I’m grateful to everyone that supported this trip and helped to
organize things over the last year. To all the participants who had
signed up for the workshops I’m deeply sorry to not be able to be there.
Ben Carter will be going ahead with the workshops solo and to be honest
he’s so talented and generous, with insight into so many of the amazing
artists that play a part of our community, that I would have likely
just gotten in the way. Now you have the wonderful opportunity to hear
and work with Ben without me interrupting with my crazy cat lady stories
: )

And well the slight silver lining on all of this? I stupidly
didn’t get cancellation insurance for my flight, so once all of this
health silliness gets sorted I’ll still have a ticket back to Australia
waiting for me.

Everything for a reason right?
xoxoxo
c


 

Workshop with Marney McDiarmid @ St. Lawrence College in Ontario

by | Jun 19, 2015 | Uncategorized

Soft Slabs & Surface Decoration ARTS180

During
this 4 day course you will explore a plethora of surface decoration
techniques while learning to build bowls and vases with soft slabs.
Techniques include using stencils, making plaster texture tiles,
designing stamps and stencils, using shellac and wax resist,and decorating with underglazes.
 
Instructor: M. McDiarmid
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu July 13 – July 16,
9:00AM-4:00PM, $281.24