Prairie Excellence: The Today and Tomorrow of Prairie Craft

Prairie Excellence: The Today and Tomorrow of Prairie Craft

Work by 12 Saskatchewan Fine Craft artists was selected for the prestigious exhibition Prairie Excellence: The Today and Tomorrow of Prairie Craft.

The 35 piece exhibition features the work of craft artists from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. It will be touring nationally and internationally for 3 years as a showcase for craft from the Canadian prairies.

267 entries were received by the selection committee, which consisted of Helen Delacretaz, Chief Curator and Curator of Decorative Arts at The Winnipeg Art Gallery; Karen Schoonover, Director/curator of the Art Gallery of Regina; and Mary-Beth Laviolette, independent curator, critic and author from Canmore, Alberta.

There was a two stage selection process. A short list was selected from photographs of work. A total of 56 shortlisted pieces were assembled in Edmonton for a final selection based on direct examination of the pieces by the selection committee. Work from emerging, mid-career, and established craft artists was all consciously selected.

Prairie Excellence will open at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery in Edmonton on October 2, 2010. The Saskatchewan unveiling will be at the Affinity Gallery (813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon) on January 14. Negotiations for future showings are underway with galleries in Canada and the United States.

The exhibition is a joint project organized by the Saskatchewan Craft Council, the Alberta Craft Council, and the Manitoba Craft Council.

Prairie Excellence consists of 13 ceramics pieces, 7 metal, 5 fibre, 5 wood, 2 glass and 3 in other media. The total value of the work in Prairie excellence is almost $80,000.