February 9, 1999
(Development and Rural Renewal)

Newfoundlanders win awards at Atlantic Craft Trade Show

Newfoundland crafts producers have won three out of four awards for crafts excellence at an international craft show. The awards were announced by John Efford, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal (Acting) Monday, February 8, which marked the closing of the annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS) in Halifax.

"These awards show that Newfoundland and Labrador crafts people are playing an increasingly important role in the Atlantic craft industry," said Minister Efford. "Newfoundland's craft industry currently employs approximately 2,000 people and contributes $25 million a year to the provincial economy."

The Prominence of Design Award, which is awarded to producers who consistently demonstrate the significant use of design in their products, was shared by two companies: Exploits of St. John's and Seagull Pewter of Pugwash, Nova Scotia.

Exploits' owner Karen Pottle operates a St. John's-based garment manufacturing business. The former theatre costume designer entered the crafts industry three years ago and won Best New Product prize at the ACTS show in 1998. Ms. Pottle has taken traditional fishermen's oil skins and turned them into a line of fashionable clothing with names such as the Avalon Great coat, the La Scie anorak, and the Canso jacket.

The Industry Supporter Award is given for extraordinary support and development of the crafts and giftware industry for three years or more. This year the award went to Gail Griffiths of Newfoundland Weavery in St. John's. Ms. Griffiths has helped build the Newfoundland crafts industry since the mid-70s, including helping to establish two cottage industries for knitters on Newfoundland's south coast. She operates a crafts store in St. John's, but sets aside a day each week to advise new craft businesses on product design, pricing, packaging and marketing, and feedback on new products.

The Industry Leader Award recognizes leadership and exceptional contribution to the industry over a period of 10 years. The award went to Ray Mackie of Stephenville. Mr. Mackie is a teacher and craftsman who in 1980 established the first post-secondary visual arts credit program in Newfoundland and Labrador at Stephenville. The program has since 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 his partner, Debra Kuzyk, makes a successful line of clay kitchenware called Lucky Rabbit.

"These winners have made outstanding artistic, business and social contributions to the growth of the craft industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Efford. "Our industry has grown five-fold over the past 10 years. Marketing our products at international trade shows such as ACTS is extremely important to growing the industry even further. This province's crafts producers have proven that they can compete with the best. I extend my congratulations to the award winners and to all those who participated in this year's show at Halifax."

ACTS is a joint effort of the provincial governments of the four Atlantic provinces and is hosted by each province on a rotational basis out of Halifax. Host province this year was Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is the largest wholesale craft show in Canada and has been held annually for 22 years. This year the three-day show attracted 250 exhibitors, 30 of whom were from Newfoundland and Labrador. Approximately 3,000 buyers from Canada and the United States visited the show.

Media contact: Clifford Grinling, (709) 729-7066.

1999 02 09                                         11:20 a.m.