Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
April 20, 2010

Newfoundland and Labrador's craft industry is home to creative, innovative men and women who are creating valuable products that not only capture and preserve our culture, but significantly contribute to the provincial economy.

Today, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House and congratulate representatives of the sector, whose excellence was recently recognized at the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in Halifax.

Gloria Hickey of St. John's, a well-known curator, arts writer, lecturer, and mentor, won the Industry Leader-Supporter award for a 30-year career dedicated to developing and promoting the works of professional craftspeople.

Cara Kansala and Pam Dorey, owners and operators of Cara's Joy in Upper Island Cove, won the Excellence in Product Design award for their three-dimensional, hand-carved wooden wall-hangings depicting Newfoundland and Labrador scenes.

We celebrate their accomplishments and commit to continue our partnership with the craft community to lay the groundwork for future success.

In addition to cultivating this creative industry through financial investment, we are supporting craftspeople through a series of direct training initiatives.

The Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development facilitates a number of professional development workshops across all regions of the province to help artisans fine-tune their skills and build careers in the same home towns that inspired their craft in the first place.

Recent workshops include metalsmithing, photography, caribou hair tufting, product pricing, and cultural product development.

We also support initiatives that directly link artisans with potential buyers, encouraging a greater level of entrepreneurship within the sector.

Recently, I attended the Buyers Marketplace - Provincial Craft Wholesale Show and was fortunate to meet some of these remarkable artisans and see their impressive products.

For the past 16 years, the wholesale show has been a useful networking opportunity, connecting craft wholesalers with retailers to create business opportunities.

This government is making its vision for a vibrant craft industry a reality. It is an industry that provides significant employment to 1,600 producers and contributes more than $32 million to our economy each year.

It is also an industry that adds immeasurable value to the province's cultural tourism brand.

Our department will continue to work hard to showcase these people and their products that tell our story, celebrate our culture and bring economic benefits throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.