Would you like to learn a craft skill?

Welcome to 2013, a year where Craft Aotearoa will focus its activities on highlighting the range and complexity of craft skills needed to make craft objects, whether of traditional, functional, or contemporary design. We especially want to highlight the range of informal and formal learning opportunities available in New Zealand and invite you to share details of any upcoming workshops, courses, and classes with us via email (jenna-lea.philpott@craftaotearoa.org.nz) and/or direct to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CraftAotearoa
Below are details of current and upcoming glass, printmaking, pottery and jewellery workshops but first, a reminder for those interested in teaching a craft workshop at HANDMADE 2013.

TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES

HANDMADE 2013 will be returning to Wellington on 1 & 2 June 2013 and online submissions are now being taken for class suggestions. If you would like to teach your craftsmanship skills in a workshop format then contact the organisers.  Applications close on Wednesday 23rd January. HANDMADE 2013 is a festival celebrating beautiful and creative things made by hand.It is the place for people who want to learn the skills and crafts of previous generations but in today's context, using modern technology and style. The 2013 programme will feature a huge range of activities across a variety of craft disciplines. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from expert and passionate teachers in a workshop environment and to make a beautiful, finished object with their own hands. In addition, throught the weekend there will be Masterclass demonstrations available.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

January has already seen a number of craft workshops launched in various regions. 

The Wanganui School of Glass launched two different five day glass workshops taught by Gary Nash and Kathryn Wightman.

And in patnership with the New Zealand Print Council, a five day printmaking workshop was also taught this summer.

If you would like to find out about any other workshop opportunities or go on the mailing list directly then register your interest with the Wanganui Glass School at www.wanganuiglassschool.com








Hamilton has also had a creative start to the year with the launch of the [Get] CREATIVE: Art, Design and Tech Workshops. Described as 'a new project where we throw a whole heap of fun workshops together to give you something fun and creative to do with your summer' there programme included a range of craft workshops on offer such as Stencil making and Screenprinting taught by Holly Russell, Beyond Crochet taught by Alison Gray (using non-traditional fibres to experiment with basic crochet to create sculptural forms) and Exploring Glass Casting taught by Di Tocker where participants will explore clay as a modelling material for glass casting. http://getcreative2013.co.nz/




Coming up are workshops in printmaking, jewellery, woodmaking and the business of art.

Nga Rakau a Tu by Alexis Neal.

New Zealand Printmakers have announced that Artsight are offering a Multi-Layered Print Workshop (relief, intaglio and monoprint) on 26-27 January, 10am-4pm at Artsight's Auckland Studio (5a Flower St, Eden Terrace). It will be taught by Alexis Neal and is limited to 10 places at a cost $295 each.This two day workshop is designed to develop new technical skills in the medium of print
from a traditional understanding to a contemporary art practice. It is an opportunity for students to work through a number of ideas and conceptual frame works to create their own artist language within this medium. Students will explore multi layered printing from relief surfaces and dry point using plexi plate, stencil cutting and other techniques to enhance their work.The studio day will be broken down by demonstrations in the morning to print preparation and followed by good experimentation working towards a good understanding of the print processes and to achieve a strong body of prints.

Another workshop, The Business of Art, will take place on 2-3 February at the same venue. Sandy Rodgers will teach the basic business skills necessary for a person to continue on to the next step of creating or growing their income through their art practice. The purpose is to get artists using their creative skills and know how to see and understand business practice in a simple, professional and positive way. The workshop is aimed at a range of people from art school graduates, emerging artists, crafts people, hobby painters and more! The workshop will cover goal setting, networking and relationships, research, marketing and promotion, project and action planning, money matters, funding, sponsorship and presentation. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the business side of the art world.

For more information and to register your interest see Artsight's website: www.artsight.co.nz/artist-workshops-auckland.html


Jewellery courses tend to me more frequent with privately run courses available throughout the year. Here are a couple of examples in Wellington.

Vilders Contemporary Jewellery Gallery regularly offer six week jewellery courses (morning and evening) and occasional single day classes. Students learn to make a variety of items including rings, brooches, earrings, and pendants - a great opportunity to make your own wedding rings. All students start with making a simple silver ring. Six week courses cost $270, and materials are supplied during the course at reasonable prices. Contact Dorthe Kristensen for further information.

Workspace Studios Ltd offer a wide range of jewellery classes across all levels and have a handy online calendar showing their regular classes on Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For example, coming up on 11 February is the next Beginners Silver Jewellery Class taught by Amelia Pascoe. Each class is three hours and runs on Monday evenings for eight weeks. The total cost of eight classes is $360. In this course, beginners will produce a sterling silver ring set with the stone of their choice. Skills learnt include soldering, filing, sanding, texturing, hammering and stone setting techniques as well as proper tool use and care, health and safety and basic design principles. Advanced jewellery classes cover additional techniques including chainmaking and riveting and participants will have the opportunity to develop their own projects and shown how to experiment with new techniques.

Workspace Studios also offers couples wedding ring making, after school classes, weekend workshops, and bench hire. Further information is available at workspacestudios@gmail.com 

The Centre for Fine Woodworking in Nelson has established itself as New Zealand's pre-eminent destination for learning about all things wood.  There are a range of short courses available in 2013 such as the Beginner's Cabinet Making 1, 2 and 3 courses as well as Acoustic Guitar and Electric Guitar making courses. 

Establishing a solid skill base for all aspiring woodworkers and provide the foundation skills for fine woodworking are the aims of these short courses. Skills taught include the tuning and sharpening of basic hand-tools and the basics of accurate timber preparation, setting out and cutting a number of basic woodworking joints and assembly. 

Further information about all upcoming courses is available at www.cfw.co.nz

Upcoming Event

Via Craft Aotearoa's Facebook page, we have become aware of the upcoming Festival of Pots & Garden Art. From 12 - 20 January  this Otaki Pottery Club Fundraiser will take place at the Trinity Farm Rose Garden, 202 Waitohu Valley Road , Otaki. 
  
Clay artist Michelle Retimana says "I will be supporting my Pottery Club in this festival with my garden sculptures, and my husband may also display his very large wood, glass and recycled metal sculptures - these are fabulous garden features standing 2-3 metres tall. The beautiful Rose gardens are the perfect setting to display the wonderful assortment of pottery and Garden Art submitted by not only the Otaki Pottery Club members but also other artists. The 'barn' is a great 'gallery space' to display finer sculptures and domestic ware. There will also be continuous demonstrations throughout the day."

More information at www.kapitipots.co.nz


Craft Aotearoa hopes this blog will reach those interested in learning a craft skill, perhaps for the first time, as well as those wishing to extend their knowedge and skills. And if you would like to share your learning experience please feel free to post a comment or get in touch with us!

Craft in the Great Outdoors

Art in a Garden at Flaxmere Garden.

New Zealanders love their gardens and heading out into the great outdoors. While some of us still have to spring clean our gardens ready for summer (note to self!), the Art in a Garden team have been busy preparing their garden for months. And it is not just any garden! Picture seven glorious acres recognised as a Garden of National Significance. Now picture more than 75 sculptors, potters, jewellers, and artists exhibiting their work in this garden, accompanied by live music by Fiona Pears, workshops, and cafe style food in an event spanning three and a half days from October 25.

Standing Hare by 2011 winner Elisha Clarke.

There is something inherently special about seeing crafted objects made of stone, wood, metal, clay and other materials displayed in a natural outdoor setting. Eight years on, this growing event based at the Flaxmere Garden in Hawarden, North Canterbury continues to deliver it's company objective: to showcase to the public the creative talent of many New Zealanders in a unique garden setting whilst fundraising for Amuri St John and The Cancer Society. Art in a Garden is now run by four people: Penny Zino (garden owner) and Alison Meyer (the two founding creators), Rachel Zino (daughter-in-law) and Pip Miller (Alison's daughter) and we caught up with Penny and Pip to find out more. 

Art in a Garden is in its eight year. How is this Garden of National Significance looking this year after so much rain?  
The garden is looking amazing - all the rain has made things bolt! The snow caused massive problems, but all has been rectified with the help of two very able sons & a tree surgeon!


What are you most looking forward to this year?
Being impressed once again with the incredible talent of our New Zealand sculptors, painters, potters glass artists, jewellers and furniture makers.

Ceramics by Sue Newitt (foreground) on display in 2011 inside the 1890 barn on site.

A range of craft disciplines are represented this year such as furniture, ceramics, glass, jewellery, and weaving. What attracts established and emerging exhibitors to your event?
The professional approach to displaying all the exhibits.... both outside and inside. It is an instinct, displaying sculpture to enhance its being and this is done particularly well. The fact that sculpture is displayed in a garden gallery (Garden of National Significance ) and not indoors, which always gives exhibits a new meaning. Paintings, pottery and more craft objects are all displayed in an 1890 barn that has been adapted as an art gallery, with all the correct lighting. This has created a unique atmosphere.

"Promoting an interest in the arts for our children is one of our top priorities." Tell us about the children's sculpture competition, limestone carving workshops and ceramic painting workshops. 
The sculpture competition for children is not really a competition so much as a chance for children to have a go at making something that interests them. There were no prizes but a chance for them to have their work displayed amongst adult artists. Last year created a lot of discussion and in some cases, a lot of laughs as one appreciated the sense of humour amongst the young. Art in a Garden has a special tent for the children’s activities. Often it is difficult to encourage children to come on a day's outing to a garden to look at art.  While they enjoy a short time their parents enjoy longer, hence the classes where introduced to both encourage children to enjoy creating art while parents wander together with parents and children spending time together appriectiated the exhibition.

Bon Suter teaching limestone carving in 2011.

The Sculpture class run by Bon Suter was great fun... the children took it all very seriously... and worked hard at the limestone supplied. There was great industry in that tent... some making figures others different shapes but all having a try with a medium they had not used before

The ceramic painting classes will be a first for this year, so I am unable to comment! It will be a happy time exploring another medium. 

Craft Aotearoa loves the correlation between materials in the garden, and materials in crafted objects on display in the garden. How do the general public benefit from this type of event? Does it foster a greater appreciation of materials and the environment?
Having all this happening in a garden creates a wonderful day out in a peaceful, non-challenging way. The public can appreciate beauty, peace and the creative energy of so many talented people. The café supplies all the food they may require and live music adds another dimension. Yes, it can put you in tune with nature and invigorate your soul.... maybe that is what great gardens are all about!

What is your long term vision for Art in a Garden?
To make Art in a Garden the most successful outdoor exhibition / event in New Zealand! 

Art in a Garden
25 - 28 October
128 Westenras Road
Hawarden
North Canterbury 7385
www.flaxmeregarden.co.nz
www.artinagarden.co.nz
General equiries to Rachael Zino at info@artinagarden.co.nz

Christchurch Craft Two Years On - Part 1.

Part One: To mark the recent two year anniversary of the first earthquake, Jenna-Lea Philpott reflects on the state of craft in Christchurch in this first edition of a six part series.

Earlier this month, we marked the two year anniversary of the first earthquake to hit Christchurch and the wider Canterbury province. At 7.1 on the richter scale, the earthquake of September 4th 2010 will forever be etched in my memory. As with thousands of others, it marked the beginning of a surreal period of my life. In the next two years I would live through another four earthquakes (each with a different faultline) and more than 11,000 aftershocks. I would enrol with the Red Cross as an earthquake refugee following the February 22nd 2011 earthquake, as I lived in the north east of the city and experienced loss of phonelines (two weeks), power (two months), sewerage (three months), running water (seven weeks), as well as other things previously taken for granted such as an internet connection, and access to supermarkets, post offices and petrol stations. I know only too well how hard it has been for some residents to come back from the brink, and how important the support from other New Zealanders and from all corners of the world has been in the reovery process. Personally, I will never forget the generous support from corporate New Zealand in the form of food donations, nor the handmade banana loaf from Invercargill in my food parcel with a sticker on the outside in lovely old handwriting stating 'You are not alone. We are thinking of you at this time and walking every step of the way with you.' That small gesture meant so much - it spurred me on and made me so proud to be a New Zealander.

New work by Christchurch ceramicist, Cheryl Lucas.

No doubt about it - these have been surreal events. Not once in a lifetime events, but apparently once in 20,000 year events. Cantabrians lives have been changed forever and the sheer scale of the rebuild becomes apparent when one drives into the central city and encounters the Red Zone. Streets remain closed off to the public to this day, due to unsafe buildings still in need of demolishing. The central city is unrecognisable. If it wasn't for the street signs it would be impossible to know where you are with so many landmarks having disappeared. And the aftershocks continue to be felt.

 

As with other industries, the craft sector suffered extensive loss of infrastructure. Gone are the old heritage buildings offering cheaper rent that fostered a myriad of individual and shared studio spaces. Home based studios have also been lost in many cases. The Arts Centre with its working studios, galleries and markets is unlikely to be operational again for many years - this heritage building may once again offer tourists a more intimate look at New Zealand through the materials and skills of its crafts artists after many years of repair. 

The loss of so many gallery spaces has also been keenly felt. There is also the loss of meeting spaces, teaching and learning spaces, and the impact that this has had on social connectedness, so valuable in times of recovery. The disruption of creative practice, learning opportunities and public exhibition opportunities is still keenly felt.



New work by Alan McAuliffe who recycles brick in this necklace.

Given the range and scale of issues facing the city, and the diverse nature of the craft sector, it was always going to be a struggle for craft infrastructure needs to be included in the public sector's redevelopment plans. Weeks after the most devastating earthquake on April 27, 2011, Craft Aotearoa called a meeting to identify the key issues that those in craft and visual arts were experiencing. The notes from this meeting were circulated widely to central and local government agencies, and to Arts Voice Christchurch after it was formed, in an effort to ensure that craft sector infrastructure (dominated by privately funded enterprise) was included in public planning processes. These meeting notes formed the basis of Craft Aotearoa's submission to Christchurch City Council and our subsequent presentation at the Central City Plan hearings. It is poignant to re-read the minutes of this meeting as there has been little resolution of concerns raised at that time, and no clear vision going forwards as yet: 

Key concerns raised on 27 April, 2011:

• whether there would be suitable, purpose designed exhibition and studio space made available as part of the city's rebuild;
• whether new spaces would be affordable for the majority of craft practitioners;
• the need to retain audience and clients in both the short and long term;
• how to generate income in the short term and where to sell;
• the need to compete for limited space in the short term and how to fund this with limited or no income;
• losing emerging and experienced craft practitioners to other cities creating a gap in the richness of the visual disciplines infrastructure;
• access to COCA art gallery as a space for emerging craft practitioners and artists.

At the hearings, Craft Aotearoa stressed the public good (and benefit) in providing some infrastructure for the city's craft sector. For example, revitalised central city living, tourism generation, and economic development. We advised that as a minimum, those in the craft sector just wanted to get back what had been lost and ensure there was a place for craft in the future of Christchurch, that future generations would know this was a city where they could learn and develop their craft practice, and that the opportunity now existed to develop a dedicated craft gallery space in the South Island adding to the city's cultural precinct.

Christhchurch Central Recovery Plan

For the first seven months of this year, we waited for the government's response to the Central City Plan. At the end of July, the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan was released to the public, outlining the following anchor projects: The Frame, Earthquake Memorial, Te Puna Ahurea Cultural Centre, Papa o Ōtākaro / Avon River Precinct, The Square, Retail Precinct, Convention Centre Precinct, Health Precinct, Justice and Emergency Services Precinct, Performing Arts Precinct, Central Library, Residential Demonstration Project, Metro Sports Facility, Stadium, Cricket Oval, Bus Interchange, and an Innovation Precinct.


Whilst the performing arts and music sectors will receive new facilities in the central city in the coming years (very good news), there is little mention of facilities that will encourage craft practice and possibly the design and wider visual arts to recover and flourish. Little wonder that craft practitioners and business owners, gallery owners, and numerous guilds and industry groups have been increasingly questioning the city's commitment to recognising and supporting the recovery of craft in Christchurch. The reality is that without vision, without inclusion, and without evidence of public sector endorsement and support, the outlook for craft is less promising. At best the recovery will be slower than it need be - and that is a tragedy when one considers the innovative work that is beginning to emerge (watch out for our next blog in this series which looks at this in more detail).

Finally, the Maori whakatauki (proverb) included in the government's Recovery Strategy for Greater Christchurch. Section 15: Cultural Recovery states: Kia mau ki te kura whero - hold fast to the valued treasures. It begs the question - what are we all doing to support our valued treasures in Christchurch craft?

(For our international readers, Greater Christchurch has a population of just under 460,000 people, and includes New Zealand’s second largest city. It is the gateway to the South Island and is its most significant centre of economic activity.)

Craft Aotearoa & Kete Launch Photos & Speeches

Chairperson Penny Eames 

Thankyou all for coming to the launch of Craft Aotearoa and also Kete - especially to those who have come from around New Zealand to be with us here tonight for this very special celebration.Welcome Kevin Murray and thank you for your endorsement of Craft Aotearoa. We are very happy you could join us.

Deborah White, Whitespace Gallery.

We received apologies from the Honourable Christopher Finlayson, Minister for Arts, Culture & Heritage and MP for Christchurch Central, Nicky Wagner.

Thank you to our lawyer Phillippa Wilkie of Chapman Tripp. We were excited to be accepted into the Champan Tripp pro bono programme, and to receive our registration with the Charities Commission nine months later. Phillippa researched internationally and steered us through the process of ensuring our aims and objectives will benefit the wider public.

A BIG thank you to the following organisations for helping us to promote our national craft research project:

Kete Craft & Design Fair, NZAFA, Wellington.

Asia Foundation New Zealand 
Auckland Studio Potters
Australasian Craft Network
Centre for Fine Woodworking
Craft 2.0
Creative Napier
CPIT
Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic
Form Gallery
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
Hearts in Crafts
Iwi Art
Lopdell House & Gallery
Museums Aotearoa
National Association of Woodworkers NZ 
Quadrant Gallery
Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
Toi Maori Aotearoa
The Big Idea
The Christchurch Textiles Network of Guilds 
The National
Wanganui Glass Group 
and many others!

Also a wide range of individuals including Moyra Elliott, D Wood, Jillian de Beer, and others.

We really appreciate all your feedback and support and look forward to exploring collaborative projects with you in the future. Get in touch with us if you are interested in elevating craft practice in New Zealand and fostering the retention and development of craft skills. We are interested in collaboration opportunities that maximise the use of funding and investment.

International guest speaker Kevin Murray and Craft Aotearoa trustees.

Thank you also to our 570 ‘likes’ on Facebook page, and the 1,800 people that visit the Craft Aotearoa Blog each month. We love your feedback and keep sending us photos of your work as we do receive international buyer enquiries from time to time.

Thank you to our presentation partners this year – Handmade 2012 here in Wellington, Objectspace in Auckland, and the Dunedin School of Art at Otago Polytechnic. Finally, thank you to the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts for supporting the launch of Craft Aotearoa. We are delighted to be launching alongside Kete, a brand new craft and design fair in New Zealand.

Founding Director, Jenna-Lea Philpott

Kia koutou. Thank you all for coming this evening. I believe we have 350 people here tonight, a fantastic turnout. I’d like to acknowledge this wonderful waterfront location and the generous support we have received from the NZ Academy of Fine Arts. It is so exciting to have you all here with us as we officially launch Craft Aotearoa Charitable Trust, and I would like to share a Maori whakatauki published by Kura Gallery last week, in honour of this moment:  

Ma te whakaatu, ka mohio
Ma te mohio, ka marama
Ma te marama, ka matau
Ma te matau, ka ora

By discussion comes understanding, by understanding comes light, by light comes wisdom, by wisdom comes wellbeing. Craft practice embodies discussion, understanding, wisdom and wellbeing. 

Mia Hamilton on show at Kete.

Thank you to my founding trustees Penny Eames and Warren Feeney for all their support the past two years and welcome to Peter Methven, our new Trustee and Treasurer. Of course, we wouldn’t be standing here today without the support of Phillippa Wilkie at Chapman Tripp, who believes in the values of craftsmanship and the role of craft in our society. I have greatly appreciated all her support – particularly during our phonecalls which were often undertaken during various earthquakes!

Thank you also to Emma Ward from Creative New Zealand for her ongoing support, even in matters such as helping to keep me informed and to reconnect with others in the weeks following the February 22nd earthquake when I was without power, phone coverage, running water and sewerage.

When I returned to New Zealand at the end of 2009, I became conscious of the gap in national craft support. Whilst working in the UK, I was employed to manage the development of a UK wide skills plan for craft, also known as the UK Craft Blueprint. Launched at the House of Lords, this document outlined issues that have also been commented on in a New Zealand context.

Textiles Platter by Dr. Jessica Payne

Thank you to the 654 people who took part in the recent 2012 New Zealand Craft Survey. As the most recent major national craft research project to be undertaken in New Zealand, we are looking forward to developing a profile of the NZ craft sector and are now working towards publishing a NZ Craft Action Plan encompassing these results in 2013. In the meantime, here are some of the headline results:

• Nearly 50% of respondents belong to an online craft community and 40% to a craft industry group.
• The research found the most popular method of craft engagement is attending craft markets and events, closely followed by attending craft exhibitions.
• 56% buy and collect craft objects and 70% prefer to buy from a dedicated craft & design retail store.
• 30% of respondents exhibit and sell their work internationally
• Nearly half the respondents describe their skill level as mid-career
• More than half believe the range of training and professional development opportunities are either insufficient or not great. This has not been helped by the demise of community education classes.

Riding Stool by Designtree.

As part of the research, we included questions specific to Christchurch and Canterbury and found that 60% have been forced to find new space to make and to show new work and 40% are concerned about how to continue their craft practice in Christchurch at this time. The biggest concern is how the craft sector is being positioned and supported as part of the redevelopment of the city. (This outweighed concerns about access to local exhibition opportunities, funding support and other options).

Lamps by Designtree.

As Penny (Craft Aotearoa Chairperson) said, we are looking forward to establishing projects in response to these results and we welcome offers of collaboration and support, both financial and personal.
  
Finally, thank you to Form Gallery and Elfi Spiewack who loaned me this beautiful necklace to wear tonight and also to my fiancée Ray, who couldn’t be here tonight but has been wonderfully supportive as I have worked on setting up Craft Aotearoa these past two years.




More photos available at: www.facebook.com/CraftAotearoa

Help shape the future of craft practice in New Zealand

Share your views in our online survey by Sunday 2nd September.

www.surveymonkey.com/s/CraftAotearoa2012 

If you design and make contemporary, heritage or traditional craft objects in any discipline, then we want to hear from you! There is only one week left to share your views. Senior craft practitioners, mid-career, emerging, graduate, and students are invited to share their thoughts on craft practice in New Zealand today. What are the strengths of the New Zealand craft sector? What should we celebrate? What is in need of improvement either nationally or in your region? Don't miss this rare opportunity to share your views on craft education and training opportunities and more. Tell us about your own practice, what inspires you, and how you make and sell your work so we can develop the first real profile of the New Zealand craft sector.

As part of this research project, we are also seeking the views of students and recent graduates. We know how hard it can be to forge a career in the early stages - tell us about any initiatives that have helped you or what support you would ideally like to access. Maybe the jewellery mentoring project Handshake is something that other disciplines can emulate? (The latest Handshake exhibition featuring 12 emerging jewellers is now on at The National gallery in Christchurch.)

We are also seeking feedback from Christchurch, Lyttelton and Canterbury residents in three questions. Craft Aotearoa has been contacted by CERA (Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority) who have expressed interest in the results.

We are a demand-led organisation and will look to develop projects based on the survey feedback so we are seeking as many views as possible. This is the first time that a major craft research project has been undertaken in New Zealand and over 600 responses have been received to date (a sample of which is copied below). Thank you to all the organisations, galleries, industry groups and individuals who have so far contributed and helped to promote this significant research project. 

What are the strengths of New Zealand craft? 

"The amount of people involved in doing some type of craft (nearly everyone)!"

"The dedication of its serious practitioners. There are many who give their lives to it for little reward and become very accomplshed."

"Its strength is its New Zealandness. While aware of and following international trends, there is a distinctiveness about NZ craft that makes it special."

"I think its strengths are diversity and ingenuity, from the traditional to the innovative. I celebrate the sustainability of using recycled materials and homegrown skills."

"We are very contemporary in our high-end craft compared to much of what I have seen overseas."

"We have a free-thinking range of makers here who because of our geography are not bound to tradition. We have a unique cache of reference material that can be explored and used as content for wider, more universal, issues. We have a multi-cultural base of makers to call on, each bringing their own take on technique, tradition and aesthetic."

What is in need of improvement?

"I think there is still possibly not enough value placed on craft in some sectors and that is why we need Craft Aotearoa!"  

"Craftmakers undervalue their own work. This then rolls out into the marketplace where customers don't understand how expensive it is to make the item that they are planning to produce - craft is undervalued. There is little understanding the of skill and time it takes to make high-end craft."

"The weakness is there are no standards in place."

"As a professional craft master I am very concerned about quality (of craft in New Zealand). It is great that there are many groups who do craft to have fun but the feedback which is given is sometimes incestual and the overall quality of higher end crafts is lacking.....NZ is a wool country by tradition and the woolcrafts need some boost or skills will be lost." 

"Craft is generally seen as a poor cousin by most top galleries and much more recognition of the significance of handmade craftworks as a unique way of working is needed.  Also a pervasive idea that craftwork is of less cultural significance than fine artwork."

"By communities/society as a whole: recognition of it's value and importance across different contexts - from formal fine arts type contexts where craft is viewed for its aesthetic and 'artistic' functions through to contexts where crafted items are used as functional objects as part of everyday life. At instructional/educational level - provision of opportunites for developing qualification and career pathways in a greater diversity of craft disciplines/mediums - and with scope for the purely creative/artistic approach to craft through to a more commercial (design) focus."

"More exposure to the world class skills in each field - to stimulate activity, expand on skills and add to the depth of vision for New Zealanders wishing to improve their skills. To do this, support and energy is required from teachers, mentors, government agencies, educators and local councils."

Double launch of Craft Aotearoa and Kete

It is with pleasure that we announce the launch of Craft Aotearoa in Wellington at 5:30pm on the 6th September at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.

We look forward to this opportunity to thank all our supporters and friends who have endorsed our objectives and encouraged our development. It has been an amazing journey thus far, and we have really appreciated all your messages and support! To register your interest in attending the launch of Craft Aotearoa please RSVP to jenna-lea.philpott@craftaotearoa.org.nz

We hope you can join us in celebrating our recent registration as a Charitable Trust. We will also announce the preliminary results of the 2012 New Zealand Craft Survey - the first major craft research project to be undertaken in New Zealand. Nearly 500 people have shared their views on craft in New Zealand to date. We have learnt a lot about your views on a broad range of topics such as opportunities for developing craft skills, engaging in craft activities, and what you see as important going forward.  It is not too late to share your thoughts as the consultation closes 31st August. Share this link with your friends and colleagues and click here to take the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/CraftAotearoa2012

Supporting the launch of Craft Aotearoa will be international guest speaker Kevin Murray, online editor for the Journal of Modern Craft, Vice President of the World Craft Council - Asia Pacific region and former Executive Director of Craft Victoria. Closer to the launch we will announce the full line up of speakers.

To co-incide with our launch, the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts will also launch Kete, a three day craft and design fair & symposium where 14 galleries will present a fresh perspective on contemporary craft/design in New Zealand across a range of mediums including jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles and furniture.

Kete is supported by Museums Wellington City and the Sea, Wellington City Council, Newstalk NZ, Dunbar Sloane, and Museum Hotel and participants include Anna Miles Gallery, Bowen Galleries, Chambers241, David Trubridge, Designtree, Dilana Rugs, F3 Design,Textile Design Massey School of Design, Masterworks Gallery, The National, Toi Maori Aotearoa, Vessel, Whitespace Gallery, Whitireia NZ Visual Arts & Design.

Craft Aotearoa believes Kete is a must-see event. Keynote speakers Kevin Murray (mentioned above) and internationally renowned designer, artist and lecturer David Trubridge (one of the top 15 designers in the world according to 2008 French magazine Express) along with other guest speakers will also deliver an outstanding lecture programme. All lectures will be held at The Todd Room, Museums Wellington City and the Sea as follows:

Friday 7 September 1-2pm: Simon Manchester. Collecting New Zealand Applied Arts
Consultant for Applied arts at Dunbar Sloane, Wellington, Simon is an authority on New Zealand ceramics and collections from the studio period of the 1930s to the present day. He has a comprehensive knowledge of local ceramics, encompassing the post-war period and the country’s engagement with international arts practice throughout the 1950s and 60s. In this lecture he considers relationships between ceramic objects in the broader context of the Applied Arts and collecting.

Assembled Feature Lightsades by David Trubridge.

Friday 7 Sept 4-5pm: David Trubridge: Kete: spirit/mind/body

David has received numerous international awards for his designs. In 2008 French magazine Express listed him as one of the top 15 designers in the world. In this lecture he will discusses the segregation of art, design and craft and the creative process and the associated knowledge, experience and skills they all share. ‘Kete Arounui (bamboo basket), spiritual world Kete Tuaatea (polycarbonate basket) and our rational world Kete Tuauri (aluminium basket). The knowledge needs to be in balance for us to live harmoniously on Earth.’


Saturday 8 Sept 3-4pm: Dr. Jessica Payne: Textiles created at the interface between traditional and emerging technologies. (Further information in due course.)



Saturday 8 Sept 4-5pm: Kevin Murray Biculturalism in 21st century Craft of the South.
Kevin discusses the relative distance between indigenous cultures and Aboriginal and settler cultures in Australasia in the 21st century. Does the practice of a jeweller in Aotearoa New Zealand such as Areta Wilkinson provide an example for current bicultural methodology? Kevin Murray is a Melbourne-based curator and academic and online editor for the Journal of Modern Craft. He was Executive Director at Craft Victoria from 2000 until 2007 and has curated exhibitions such as Guild Unlimited: Ten jewellers make insignia for potential guilds, and Common Goods: Cultures Meet through Craft for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Sunday 9 Sept 4-5pm: Andrew Just, F3 Design: Thinking in Boxes? Christchurch and filling in the gaps. Andrew is an architectural designer and advocate for transitional architecture, its design and engagement with city planning, as fundamental to the well-being of communities. He has been involved in transitional architecture designs in Christchurch following 22 February 2011, developing affordable and environmentally friendly solutions to the city’s new spaces. Andrew will discuss the potential for transitional and temporary designs to simultaneously fulfil the immediate and long-term needs of communities.


Further information:

For further details about Craft Aotearoa and to access the latest New Zealand craft news visit www.facebook.com/CraftAotearoa

For further details about the launch of Craft Aotearoa and to register your interest in attending the double launch of both Craft Aotearoa and Kete please RSVP to jenna-lea.philpott@craftaotearoa.org.nz

For further details about Kete please contact Dr. Warren Feeney at director@nzafa.com
Kete: Contemporary craft-design fair
7-9 September, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington
www.nzafa.com

Upcoming Craft Workshops, News and more.

The momentum is building. Over 400 people have shared their views on New Zealand craft by going online and taking the 2012 New Zealand Craft Survey, and over 370 individuals and organisations have 'liked' our Facebook page, in order to access the latest national craft news, opportunities, workshops, events and photos, and to network with others.

Since May 22nd, we have promoted the work of over 130 organisations and individuals involved in the New Zealand craft sector on our Facebook page and provided links to a further 25 international craft organisations. For those that have yet to view our Facebook page, we thought we would whet your appetite by sharing some of our Facebook page content in this blog. Head to www.facebook.com/CraftAotearoa if you would like to view photos of work, access links and find out more.

Upcoming workshops

Mide Hindmarsh furniture weekend workshop

 *  Would you like to learn how to make your own furniture in a weekend workshop? Learn how to create stylish plywood furniture by laminating and constructing interlocking panels to create an attractive stool and table set. More information at http://www.mikehindmarsh.co.nz/

*  Check out the range of craft and art workshops on at the Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna, Auckland. This woodcut printing workshop continues for eight weeks and there are lots more too including a one day calligraphy course with Jan Leonard on 12 August. 

*  For all those interested in working with wood, the 2013 course Centre for Fine Woodworking course details have been released. 

*  Registrations are open for this fun and exciting course in claymation, just for teenagers aged 13 – 17 years on at Mangere Arts Centre. 

*  Workspace Studios, Wellington, is a hub for jewellers and small object makers and has grown into a bustling studio with jewellery classes almost every day, one-on-one tuition, short courses and bench hire for students and professionals. Everyone from professional to complete beginner is welcome to utilise the fully equipped studio.

*  Creative play day Saturday 28th July! Learn how to make a book and bind it using the Coptic Binding method. Come and experiment, learn new skills, enjoy being around other creative souls. What a great way to spend a winters day. $95 per person - includes all the materials needed to create one book. For more details contact liz@bookartstudios.co.nz

*  Two masterclass workshops are offered as part of this year's Wanganui Glass Festival. The first is with acclaimed English glass artist Galia Amsel who will also present a public lecture and the second is with acclaimed  Australian glass artist Clare Belfrage who will also present a public lecture and demonstrations. Further details at http://wanganuiglass.co.nz/

Welcome 

*  Introducing Wanaka based Andi Regan Art, also a finalist in the World of Wearable Art (WOW) Awards for the third year running. We will never look at zip ties the same again after perusing your beautiful photo albums!

*  Welcome to Darren Hunter Furniture Designs, one of our newest 'likes.'

*  Introducing contemporary New Zealand needlepoint and cross stitch design kits available from Auckland based The Stitchsmith.

*  Introducing Louise Douglas Jewellery, whose new retail store opens 1st August in Nelson.

*  Introducing colourful and fashionable statement pieces from Wellington based Shh By Sadie Handmade Jewellery using vintage and new materials.

*  Welcome to one of our newest 'likes' Marker Creative Workshops, an innovative public programme of hands-on, design and technology focused workshops based at AUT University’s City Campus.

*   Delighted to welcome Hocken Collections as one of our newest 'likes.' They have a wealth of archives including over 200,000 books and 2 million photos!

*  Welcome to one of our 'likes', a traditional bookbinder Tingle Vision Designs from Christchurch. 

*  Welcome to our latest 'like' White Heat; contemporary australian ceramic jewellery exhibition.

Galleries

'Nudge' by Tony Bond at The National gallery.

 *  Only four days left to see “Nudge” by Tony Bond at The National gallery in Christchurch. The 27 works, entitled “Formunculae”, vary in dimension from 85mm up to 200mm wide for larger works. A review of “Nudge” written by Craft Aotearoa Trustee Dr. Warren Feeney can be read here. 

 

*  Introducing Cromwell's hullabaloo art space. This work by Odelle Morshuis features discarded shotgun shells, a wide variety of coloured plastic cartridges as well as brass shells cut and curled into configurations resembling flora.

*  How much thread does it take to cover 192 treadle sewing machines in the new Govett-Brewster Gallery exhibition? Come and see N S Harsha's work 'Nations' this opening weekend in 'Sub-Topical Heat: New art from South Asia.'

*  This Saturday in Christchurch see the launch of Form Gallery's exciting new exhibition featuring the work of six contemporary New Zealand carvers.

National craft news and events

*  The last remaining blacksmithing course in Australasia has just been reduced to one day a week. Check out the 60 Minutes interview with Greeny on TVNZ.

*  New Zealand Olympians are the first recipients to be given a special gift of "Tahutahi" pounamu from Ngai Tahu, but if anyone else has it, then it is stolen and Ngai Tahu want it back.

*  Entries for the Portage Ceramic Awards close 1st August. The Awards, totaling $22,000 in prize money will be presented at a special opening function on Thursday 11 October 2012.

* First guitars, and now furniture recycled from the wood of earthquake damaged homes. Craft sustainability at its best.

*  Are you interested in becoming part of the Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aoteaora - the National Maori Weavers Collective? Sign up now. Biennial hui, magazine subscription and much more.

*  Would you like to create new work from these locations? Malaysia, India, Korea, Taiwan, or Japan? Check out the arts residencies organised by Asia New Zealand.

*  Hugh Bannerman from Dilana will give a talk at Objectspace at 11am on Saturday 4th August as part of the second public programme for Ubiquitous: Aspects of Contemporary Pattern.

*  Policy update: Local Government reforms. What does it mean for your community?

2011 Wanganui Festival of Glass

*  Fancy watching the Glass Olympics? Or demonstrations of glass blowing in the dark? Then head along to the Wanganui Festival of Glass this October. Lots more happening as well.  http://wanganuiglass.co.nz/

*  "Jewellery’s intrinsic value relates to a sacred (personal) memory, projected through transcendence" says Peter Deckers of 'The See Here' - a group of artists and jewellers whose practice occupies the border between fine and applied art.

*  Entries are now open for the Woodturning NZ International Symposium run by South Auckland Woodturners Guild Inc. from 4-7 October. Detailed programme on their website.

* First guitars, and now furniture recycled from the wood of earthquake damaged homes. Craft sustainability at its best.

*  Are you interested in becoming part of the Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aoteaora - the National Maori Weavers Collective? Sign up now. Biennial hui, magazine subscription and much more.

*  Would you like to create new work from these locations? Malaysia, India, Korea, Taiwan, or Japan? Check out the arts residencies organised by Asia New Zealand.

*  Hugh Bannerman from Dilana will give a talk at Objectspace at 11am on Saturday 4th August as part of the second public programme for Ubiquitous: Aspects of Contemporary Pattern.

*  Policy update: Local Government reforms. What does it mean for your community? 

*  "Jewellery’s intrinsic value relates to a sacred (personal) memory, projected through transcendence" says Peter Deckers of 'The See Here' - a group of artists and jewellers whose practice occupies the border between fine and applied art.

*  Entries are now open for the Woodturning NZ International Symposium run by South Auckland Woodturners Guild Inc. from 4-7 October. Detailed programme on their website.

International news

*  A Cooper is a maker or repairer of casks and barrels and this craft can be traced back thousands of years. Read more about how the Scottish whiskey industry relies on these craft skills in the present day.

*  Pottery skills are in decline in the UK. Dr Herhoffer said: "At primary and secondary level the focus is on digital skills and working with computers – pupils don't get their hands dirty anymore."

*  San Francisco based kiwi designer Sam O'Leary has been busy developing a fabulous new craft website. It has a broad range of craft video tutorials so you can learn in the comfort of your home day or night.