Newfoundlanders win awards at Atlantic Craft Trade Show

A St. Phillip�s craft producer and a provincial craft retailer located in St. John�s have won awards for excellence at an Atlantic regional craft show. The awards were announced by New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord on Saturday, February 3 at the annual Atlantic Craft Trade Show (ACTS) in Halifax.

Photo #1: Employee Kelly Mollins with craft products at the Craft Store of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador on Devon Row, Duckworth Street, St. John's. (February 5, 2001)

Photo#2: Ray Will of Delia Pewter with pewter bowl at Atlantic Crafts Trade Show. (February 5, 2001)

Delia Pewter of St. Phillip�s received the Outstanding Exporter Award. The company, operated by Delia and Ray Will, produces pewter bowls, vases, letter openers and candle holders decorated with marine motifs such as starfish. They export to every Canadian province, to the United States and to the Caribbean. Their work can be found in Canadian embassies and consulates such as in Vietnam and Japan.

The Crafts Council of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John�s received the Outstanding Retailer award for its craft store at Devon House. The store contains products made by 165 craft producers from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador. Items include woodwork, pottery, knitwear, weaving, sculpture and jewellery. The store employs five people and has doubled its sales in the last three years.

"These awards show that the Newfoundland and Labrador craft industry can compete successfully with the best and is playing an increasingly important role in export markets and in the economic development of our province," said Ernie McLean, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, whose department provides assistance and support to the craft industry. "Newfoundland and Labrador�s craft industry currently employs 2,000 people and contributes $25 million a year to the provincial economy."

The Outstanding Exporter Award is given for excellence in exporting outside the Atlantic region for at least two years. Delia Pewter has been in full-time operation for seven years. "We are pleased with this recognition of our work," said Ray Will. He notes that in reaching their present stage of development, the provincial government has been very supportive of their work. "We tell craft businesses from other provinces how important it is to have a supportive government environment," he said.

The Outstanding Retailer Award recognizes excellence in display, merchandising and service to the public, and significant contribution to growth of the industry. "I am delighted that the Craft Council serves our members and the community in such a manner that it merits recognition through this award," said Anne Manuel, executive director of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. The retail operation of the Craft Council has grown to almost six times its original size since 1991 and will soon become an on-line store.

"These winners have made outstanding artistic, business and social contributions to the growth of the craft industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister McLean. "Marketing our products at trade shows such as ACTS is extremely important to the growth of the industry. 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 in Halifax."

The Atlantic Craft Trade Show is the largest wholesale craft show in Canada and has been held annually for 24 years and attracts up to 3,000 buyers from Canada and the United States. The show is a joint effort of the provincial governments of the four Atlantic provinces and is hosted by each province on a rotational basis.

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

2001 02 05                  4:30 p.m.