The history of the PEI Crafts Council 1965 - 1985 is available as both full pages in another post as well as in digital format here.
FROM THE EDITOR
This booklet is presented as an acknowledgement of the 20th
anniversary of the formation of the Prince Edward Island Crafts Council. The
contents reflect a very personal and entirely incomplete review of the
Council's early years gleaned from minutes of past meetings, past issues of the
Bulletin and brief conversations with some charter members. Obviously, a much
larger and detailed a volume would be needed to chronicle the hard work and
dedication of all those individuals and agencies who have contributed to the
advancement of crafts in this province over the last two decades, The names and
activities not mentioned here are by no means to be judged less deserving of
appreciation. A walk through The Island Crafts Shop or a visit to the many
studios of Council members serves to demonstrate how well the efforts of the
early years have borne fruit, The present quantity and quality of crafts speak
of years of growth and change - at times slow, at other times dramatic,
sometimes painful, sometimes humorous but always exciting.
Our organization is entering its adult years; let us ensure
that these will be the most productive years yet, I wish to thank Don and
Margaret Stewart, Mary Burnett, Ann Coneen, Cecelia Blatch, Margaret Quinn and
Joan Auld for their help in the preparation of this pamphlet.
Yvonne Pigott
---------------
It all started with a craft fair.
The very first one was at the instigation of Mrs. Muriel Lister, Provincial
Handcraft Director and was held in the foyer the Confederation Centre in
November, 1964. Next came the formation of a Craftsmen's Council. The organizational
meeting was held on 13 February, 1965 in Room 66, Prince of Wales College. Mr.
Donald Stewart was chosen as President, Mrs. Vernon England - Vice-president
Kings County, Mrs. Walter Dixon - Vice-president Prince County, Mrs. Mary Burnett, Secretary and Mr. Dan Mullen -
Treasurer. After some discussion as to
how the rest of the executive should be composed, it was decided to leave this
until the By-taws Committee had drawn up the constitution. A temporary
Standards Committee (headed by Mrs. Malcolm Putnam) and a Public Relations
Committee were set up at this time. Incredibly, a draft of the By-laws was
ready by April and to really make things official the Provincial Government “made
us a grant of $ 350.00”. Both the constitution and the cheque were presented at
a general meeting in May. In September 1965 plans were underway for our
"very own" Christmas Craft Fair in the upper foyer of the Confederation
Centre on 19 and 20 November. In spite of a fee of $ 2.00 for individual craftspeople
and $5.00 for groups and a charge of 10% of gross sates to defray costs the
fair showed a deficit of about $40.00 - but plans to make the next one better
though improved booth displays and strict adherence to standards were set in
motion. Summer of 1966 saw the Council become involved with Old Home Week and
the handcraft exhibition organized by the Women's Institute. P.E.I.C.C.’s role
was three-fold: an exhibition, a sales table and craft demonstrations. Like the
Constitution and Standards, the Prize List for the Old Home Week exhibition
underwent several revisions during the next few years. Council membership
increased steadily in this period as did the scope of its activities. Workshops
and more workshops were offered to enhance the level of craftsmanship. More craft
sales and more exhibitions and greaten .involvement with government agencies
and the craft community off island testified to the growth of the organization.
DON AND MARGARET STEWART
I spoke with Don and Margaret Stewart about the early years.
Don was a wood worker who studied wood turning with Arthur Pringle at Hunter
River. Margaret worked metals having studied aluminum etching in Ontario and
jewellery making in silver and copper enamelling on the Island. They had bought
their own equipment and operated their studios in their own home in Bunbury.
They remember the first three years when Don was President as a time of hard work
and a number of frustrations. For example, Don showed me a thick file of correspondence
with the Tax Department regarding the topic of manufacturer’s licenses for
craftspeople. But as Margaret summed up: the reason for getting involved in craft
activities was to promote handcrafts, to make come money and to have fun. “The
group got along. Friendships were formed which still, endure”.
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY SEEM THE SAME!
"IT WAS DECIDED TO HAVE LOTS OF POSTERS; SOME OF THESE
TO BE IN EACH TOWN AND ON FERRIES, TO MAKE ALL POSSIBLE USE OF RADIO, TV AND
NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING, IT WAS SUGGESTED IF SPACE PERMITTED WE MIGHT HAVE A
HANDCRAFT DEMONSTRATION AT THE FAIR. . ." SEPTEMBER, 1965
"IN DISCUSSING THE ROLE OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE FAIR, MEMBERS WERE IN FAVOUR OF NEXT YEAR ATTACHING A PIECE
TO THE APPLICATION FORM ON WHICH PARTICIPANTS WOULD ATTEST THAT THEY HAD READ
THE GENERAL STANDARDS AND THOSE PERTAINING TO THEIR OWN CRAFT, AND WOULD
UNDERTAKE TO ABIDE BY THEM. . . NOVEMBER, 1965
"After two years as your president I feel some satisfaction when considering Council achievements during that time - initiation of the summer crafts festival and the Island Crafts Shop, with very encouraging sales at each, increased sales and better quality at the Christmas Fairs, a Standards Committee which has persevered in helping craftsmen understand and correct weaknesses in their work, input from federal and provincial agencies anxious to help -which should make the future look rosy. Unfortunately this satisfaction has to be tempered with concern caused by the lack of interest and participation of many members. When the late Muriel Lister encouraged us to form a truly provincial craft organization, to press for a handcraft centre and for assistance for beginning craftsmen, and led the way in setting up Christmas and Summer Fairs, she helped us place ourselves in the forefront of Canadian provinces in hand-craft development and opportunities for craftsmen. Expensive workshops with the country's best teachers attended by only two or three members, hundreds of dollars in prize money unused because classes had no entries, opportunities to exhibit one's work passed by, as well as educational experiences such as slide shows - while craftsmen in other provinces are grasping every chance to advance - are indications of an apathy that is dissipating our advantages. My warm thanks to all the craftsmen who conscientiously practised their crafts, participated in the opportunities open to them and obligingly helped with Council activities. "Let's make hay while the sun shines!"......." OCTOBER, 1974
THE ISLAND CRAFTS SHOP
"CRAFTSMEN'S
COUNCIL SHOP: THE EXECUTIVE DECIDED 70 RENT A BUILDING ON SYDNEY ST. IN
CHARLOTTETOWN, ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE POST OFFICE, IN WHICH TO OPERATE A
SHOP FOR MEMBERS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS AT LEAST, WITH THE HOPE THAT IT WILL
BECOME A PERMANENT BUSINESS. AND THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO
BE SELF SUPPORTING, THE SHOP WILL BE RUN ON A CONSIGNMENT BASIS FOR THE FIRST
YEAR AT LEAST (PROBABLY AT 25% COMMISSION, WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT MEMBERS
BE PAID MONTHLY) AND IT 1S ESTIMATED THAT WE MUST SELL AT LEAST $ 3,500.00 OF
CRAFTS PER MONTH TO COVER THE COST, SO LET'S ALL GET WORKING TO ENSURE THE
SUCCESS OF THIS IMPORTANT STEP..,.."
FEBRUARY,
1974
“It
was decided to rent 37 Queen St., Charlottetown for the Craftsmen's Council
shop, The importance of Council members supporting this venture with their crafts
and their help was strongly emphasized as future could mean a setback of years.
ALL
goods will be taken on consignment, 25% commission will be charged, and craftsmen
will be paid the end of each month for goods sold, ALL craftsmen in Queen's Co.
who can possibly do so will be expected to donate their time for at least one
shift each two weeks,
Everything
will be checked by the Standards Committee before being put out for sale, Goods
will be accepted initially May 21 - 25 and thereafter members will be expected
as far as possible to bring their crafts in on a designated day of the week,
probably Monday. The Council will be responsible for care of goods while in its
possession.
The
committee in charge will be accepting applications for the position of manager
until April 15. These may be sent to Mrs. Brian Cudmore, 224 Pownal St., Charlottetown
. . .”
"MANAGER
OF THE SHOP WILL BE SANDI MYERS, WHO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR
SEVERAL YEARS AND IS PRESENTLY STUDYING AT N.S. COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN.
TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE SHOP IS 892-5152, AND SANDI IS ANXIOUS NOT ONLY TO HELP
THE SHOP SUCCEED BUT TO ASSIST CRAFTSMEN IN ANY WAY SHE CAN.
PLANS
WERE MADE FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING, AND IT WAS DECIDED TO HAVE IT FRIDAY, JUNE
7 IF POSSIBLE, BUT THAT THE SHOP WOULD ACTUALLY BE IN OPERATION
BY
JUNE 1......."
MAY,
1974
"The Island Crafts Shop is in a state of uproar at
present. The new display units arrived and a number of the Queens County people
have been putting in a lot of hours assembling these units. They will be very
handsome when filled with your crafts. By the way..... THE SHOP NEEDS YOUR
CRAFTS......NOW In order to increase efficiency, the system of numbering the
stock has been changed. In the past it was ticketed with your membership
number. Now it will be numbered in the order in which it arrives at the shop.
All existing stock has been so numbered and by the time of the annual meeting,
(semi-) you will be able to pick up your stock sheet, or it will be mailed with
your next cheque. If there are articles of yours that have been there for a
very long time, why not trade them for other articles. The shop also needs
VOLUNTEERS, to man it during the summer. PHONE NOW 892-5152"
May/June, 1977
"WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO OPEN OUR NEW SHOP ON
SEPTEMBER 29, 1980. THE ACTUAL MOVE WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27,
1980. SOME MEMBERS OF THE SHOP COMMITTEE WILL BE AT 146 RICHMOND STREET
(LOCATION OF NEW SHOP) ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 AND FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1980
FROM 1:00 p.m. to 500 p.m. TO RECEIVE NEW STOCK, WE HAVE MADE PROVISIONS IN THE
BUDGET FOR A MEDIA PROMOTION - A REAL ADVERTISING BLAST, IN NEWSPAPERS AND ON
RADIO. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FAIR COMMITTEE WE ARE PLANNING TELEVISION
ADVERTISEMENT - BOTH FROM THE TIME OF THE FAIR AND UP TO CHRISTMAS, THEREFORE,
PLEASE MAKE SURE THE NEW SHOP IS WELL SUPPLIED AND PLEASE CHECK WEEKLY, EVEN BY
JUST PHONING, TO KEEP THE STOCK AT THE POINT WHERE OUR CLAIM OF "AN ISLAND
SHOWCASE FOR CRAFTSMEN" IN OUR ADVERTISING WILL NOT BE MISLEADING IV
SEPTEMBER, 1980
The Island Crafts Shop moved to its new location at 146
Richmond Street and was officially opened by Honourable Barry Clark on October
6, 1980......"
April/May 1981
-----------------
Exhibitions Markets & Conferences
"Be sure to come to the Centennial Craft Exhibition
opening at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery May 8th at 8 p.m. All
Craftsmen's Council members are invited to come -- and bring your wife or
husband too -- to see the crafts, to meet Paul Bennett, Executive Director of
the Canadian Guild of Crafts (Ontario branch) and to have fun, because this is
our centennial party. Craftsmen's Council is providing sandwiches and coffee
and there will be a cash bar. Your help in making sure principals and teachers
in your area know about the exhibition, and encouraging them to take their
students, will be much appreciated. When the Art Gallery is notified ahead of
time that a school group is coming, a docent will be on hand to make the visit
more enjoyable and informative. There is no admission charge for this
exhibition. Congratulations to the following craftsmen whose work was selected
for the Centennial Exhibition: Mrs. Milton MacDonald, Montague; Jean Shumate,
Murray River; Sandra Hodge, Cardigan. Anne Rankin, Eileen Praught, Patricia
Johnston, Glen Dunning, Freda Condon, Ruth Sommers, Linda Friars, Sandi Myers,
Hilda Woolnough, Donald Stewart and Annette Galloway, Charlottetown; Earl
MacDonald, Brackley Beach; Jame Germaine, Kelly's Cross, Dorothy Elliott and
Helen Smallman, O'Leary; Arthur J.B. Arsenault and Jacques Arsenault, Abram's
Village; Marjorie Champion, Travellers' Rest. Only 60 entries were submitted, a
big disappointment to your committee, headed by Elspeth Putnam, Anne Coneen and
Mary Burnett, who worked hard to promote the event, with the generous
assistance of many other Council members. Fourth member of the coordinating
committee is Beth Cudmore, who is working to make the opening night enjoyable
for everyone attending
April, 1973
"C.C.C. [Canadian Crafts Council] ANNUAL MEETING.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA INCLUDE, AT CAVENDISH --CLAM DIGGING, CORN BOIL AND
TOASTING MARSHMALLOWS. WALL HANGS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THE HOTEL. TICKETS FOR
THE QUILT AND RUG RAFFLE TO BE DRAWN AT THE CONVENTION WILL BE ON SALE AT THE
SUMMER CRAFT SALE......." July, 1977
--------------------
"CANADIAN SAMPLER. THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY,
TRADE AND COMMERCE INVITED CRAFTSMEN FROM EASTERN CANADA TO PARTICIPATE IN A
TRADE SHOW AT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN NEW YORK ON NOVEMBER 17 - 21,
1980. OVER 100 CRAFTSMEN'S SAMPLES FROM ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NOVA SCOTIA, PRINCE
EDWARD ISLAND AND NEWFOUNDLAND WERE SHOWN TO AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES IN NEW
YORK. A SIMILAR SHOW WAS HELD AT THE CANADIAN CONSULATE GENERAL IN BOSTON ON
JANUARY 19 - 23, 1981 If MAY, 1981 "The Christmas Fair will be held
November 18, 19 and 20th. 10 ft. booth space will cost $ 140.00 and there will
be no commission. The Council will try to accommodate people wishing to share a
booth. Admission $ 1.00 per day for customers. Deadline for booths is October 15, 1982. Ask
Wendy if she is interested in working on a poster. I. Scott will call J. Condon
to check on the cost of parking. Door prizes will be purchased from the Island
Crafts Shop..." October, 1982
AND THEN THERE WAS
Even a brief glimpse at the early years of the Council such
as this prompts us to continue with “and then there was . . . .” and the
list of the various exhibitions, fairs, conferences, reports and meetings could
go on and on . . . . the Annual
Handcraft Awards and Exhibition, the different provincial shows staged at the
Confederation Centre, the many one person and group exhibitions by Council
members at the School of Visual Arts, Atlantic Visions Atlantique, Production
Pieces, The Piggery...... The Atlantic
Crafts Trade Show ......The Christmas Craft Fair . . . The C.C.C. Annual
Meeting in 1977, The First National Canadian Crafts Council Conference in 1982.......and
who can forget all those surveys and briefs presented to the various levels of
government.......The Hebert-Applebaum Commission and mention must be made of
the support of the Handcraft Division through grants and programmes to the
Council and individual craftspeople and all those hours, years of volunteer
time . . . busy twenty years indeed!
-----------------
KEY TO PHOTOS
1. Margaret Stewart, Olive Livingstone
2. Carol Downe
3. ?, Barry Jeeves, Joan Auld
4. Elspeth Putnam, Sadie Roberts
5. Margaret Quinn
6. P.E.I. Booth Gift Show 1972
7. ?, ?, ?, Margaret Quinn 8. Margaret Quinn, Ann Morrison,
Ron Arvidson
9. Henry Purdy
10. Sandi Mahon
11. Mary Burnett
12. Herb Leavitt
13. A.B. White, David Loewy
14. Joanne Scantlebury, Ian Scott, David Loewy, Barbara E.
Henry, Elizabeth Sears
