OCC Gallery

Toronto Potters 16th Biennial Juried Exhibition

September 6 - 30, 2012
Join us for the opening reception: Thursday, September 6, 7 - 9pm
Ontario Crafts Council Gallery
990 Queen Street West, Toronto

Toronto Potters is a non-profit association with an extensive history of member dedication that has run its programming, presence and community support for over 33 years. Its current membership consists of approximately 90 active ceramic makers, whose backgrounds and aesthetic interests reflect the diversity of the city in which the association was formed. Through Toronto Potters, members have a platform to share their skills, as well as stimulate and foster their individual interests in working with clay. Members benefit from monthly meetings, presentations and demonstrations, as well as retail shows and a website that showcases their work. In addition, Toronto Potters is exceptionally proud to present its 16th Biennial Juried Exhibition.

As one of the highlights of membership, the exhibition takes place every two years. Work is submitted for review by an invitational jury, and selected based on technical merit, originality and creative expression. This year there are seven awards given to members for outstanding work. The biennial juried exhibition is an esteemed opportunity for members to showcase their creative skills.

This exhibition serves as a sampling of the myriad ways in which ceramic material can be manipulated, as well as the commitment and passion through which these objects have been conceived and created.

The Toronto Potters 16th Biennial Exhibition was juried by Susan Collett and Gord Thompson, both professionals in the greater ceramic community. Through an intensive jury process, they selected 26 works by 21 members. With white walls and gallery spotlights, and far removed from the messy studio environments in which they took shape, each of these 26 works has the ability to compel the viewer. The pieces will pique interest in process as they flaunt the maker's technical skills, and will prompt questions, as well as simple enjoyment.

The Toronto Potters 16th Biennial Juried Exhibition is supported by the Ontario Arts Council.

Images: Eden Danielle Bender, Bird in the Hand; Barbara Banfield, Oil and Vinegar Set; Mary McKenzie, Comfort; Deborah Freeman, Cup 'n' Caddy.

Craft Awards Ceremony

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Awards & Scholarships is an OCC flagship program that celebrates excellence in making, allows for peer recognition, and provides opportunity for promotion.

The 2012 Awards & Scholarships recipients will be honoured with the inaugural Craft Awards Ceremony - a night dedicated to makers and objects, and to celebrating the very best of contemporary craft. As part of the evening we will be announcing the award recipients of the prestigious John Mather Award for Lifetime Achievement, as well as the Volunteer Committee Outstanding Service Award.

To build anticipation, we will be withholding the announcement of which award each recipient has won until the Ceremony. We invite you to join us in celebrating the winners.

Awards Ceremony 

Thursday, October 4, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Gladstone Hotel Ballroom
1214 Queen Street W, Toronto
Tickets $15, Students $10
Light refreshments will be served with a cash bar
Dress: Business/Formal

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

Following the Ceremony is a reception at the OCC Gallery for the Award Winners 2012 exhibition

Thursday, October 4, 9:00 - 11:00 pm
OCC Gallery
990 Queen Street W, Toronto
Free, with light refreshments served

The Ontario Crafts Council is pleased to announce the 25 recipients of the 2012 Awards & Scholarships Program:

Special thanks to the 2012 Awards & Scholarships jury, Kai Chan, Heidi Earnshaw, Melanie Egan, Karl Schantz, Chiho Tokita, and John Wiggers.

Thanks also to the many donors and supporters that continue to sustain this program, as well as the OCC Volunteer Committee for their long term commitment to creating awards.

For more information please contact Janna Hiemstra at jhiemstra@craft.on.ca or 416-925-4222 x 225.

CraftSmarts

CraftSmarts are the OCC's year-round series of professional development workshops programmed to address your needs. The focus is on developing skills required to be successful as a small business owner, as an exhibitor, and overall, as a maker that needs to 'make it' in the greater cultural community.

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP WITH THE ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL
Monday, September 10, 2012
Location: Metro Hall, room 310
55 John Street, Toronto
Time: 7 - 9 pm
Free admission (RSVP required)

For full description /registration click here

PHOTO CLINIC WORKSHOP
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Location: Wise Daughters
3079B Dundas Street West Toronto
Time: 2 - 6 pm
OCC Members: $50 + HST
Non-Members: $55 + HST

For full description /registration click here

MAKER TO MAKING A LIVING
OCTOBER 2012
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Wise Daughters
3079B Dundas Street West Toronto
OCC Members: $300 + HST
Non-Members: $325 + HST

Do you ever feel like your entrepreneurial skills are not up to par with your creative instinct? Are you facing more questions than answers related to your craft business? Maker to Making a Living is a workshop series designed to guide crafts-people through the process of under-standing, designing and building their individual businesses.

For full description/registration click here

The Guild Shop

80th Anniversary Party

September 13, 2012, 5 - 8pm
Kenojuak Ashevak visits from Kinngait!

The Guild Shop
118 Cumberland Street, Toronto
www.theguildshop.ca

Join us and meet celebrated Canadian artist Kenojuak Ashevak. The Guild Shop is honoured to present "Filigreed Raven II", an exclusive limited edition of 50 stonecut prints by Kenojuak. An exhibition of Kenojuak's original drawings will also be on display.

Image: Kenojuak Ashevak, Filigreed Raven II

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Keep updated on OCC events and programming by checking out our Facebook page - we'd love to see you there! Or join the discussion on Twitter @OntarioCrafts.

www.craft.on.ca