Minister Mitchelmore Recognizes Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence Recipients

  • Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

February 13, 2018

The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, extended his congratulations to Katie Parnham and Michael Harlick, for winning awards at the Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence in Halifax. Minister Mitchelmore attended the ceremony and craft show this past weekend.

Katie Parnham is an integral part of the professional craft world in Newfoundland and Labrador. A long-time teacher, she brings her students the tools and techniques they will need to grow into professional craft makers and to contribute to the wider industry. Ms. Parnham won the Industry Leader/Supporter Award, which recognizes an individual, organization or company that has shown superior leadership, excellence in the development of quality crafts or giftware and has made exceptional contributions to the industry in Atlantic Canada over the past five years.

Michael Harlick, of Black Hen Studio, has set himself apart in the industry by being both a goldsmith and a blacksmith. As a result, his work is highly diverse, and distinctly unique because of his ability to recreate the elements into his one-of-a-kind work. Mr. Harlick won the Excellence in Product Design Award which recognizes a producer who has demonstrated outstanding quality and creativity in the design of a product.

The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence are the Craft Alliance’s principal form of recognition for leadership and excellence. Minister Mitchelmore presented awards at the gala event, which was held in conjunction with the Craft East Buyers’ Expo. The Craft East Buyers’ Expo showcases crafts and giftware made exclusively in the Atlantic Provinces. Exhibitors from Newfoundland and Labrador that participated in the 2018 Craft East Buyers Expo included; Molly Made Fibre Art Studio, Ewe Design, Elizabeth Burry Design, Natalie Jewellery, Black Hen Studio and East Coast Glow. Participating exhibitors received access to larger markets, professional development, exposure and networking opportunities.

Quotes
“The craft sector is deeply rooted in Atlantic Canada’s culture and heritage. It helps us preserve, express and celebrate this culture through both traditional and contemporary works. I had the great pleasure of touring the Craft East Buyers Expo 2018, and the variety and creativity of the products available was quite impressive. This government proudly supports the craft sector and its creative entrepreneurs, and I commend the Craft Alliance for a regional approach to provide craft artisans with opportunities to develop their businesses and export their work. The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence is great celebration of the best of Atlantic Craft, and I offer congratulations to our winners, and wish them continued success this year.” 
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is very excited that Michael Harlick and Katie Parnham are among the distinguished winners of the 2018 Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence at the Craft East Buyers Expo in Halifax. As current and longtime members of the Craft Council, we are so proud to have such rich talent in our province ‎identified and celebrated!”
Rowena House
Executive Director, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

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Learn More

Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador – craftcouncil.nl.ca 

Black Hen Studio – blackhenstudio.com 

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL 

Media contacts
Eric Humber 
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation 
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Rowena House
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-753-2749 

2018 02 13 3:20 pm