The Ontario Craft Council's Eastern Gallery at the 2010 One of a Kind Spring Show

Spring has arrived

2010-03-31T23:20:00.009-04:00

Opening day at the One of a Kind Spring Show brought fantastic weather, additional media attention and enthusiastic customers. The CP24 crew arrived at our booth bright and early for a live segment at 7:10am this morning, and trend reporter Deirdre Kelly interviewed with Mary Calarco, the Southwestern Regional Coordinator, for an article that will appear in The Globe and Mail later this week. But the real focus was the work of our talented participants...the creations in booth L4 look absolutely fantastic!

Let the move-in begin!

2010-03-30T09:39:00.004-04:00

Welcome to day 2 of move-in! We're all very excited to see the booth that has been designed for us by local designer Johnson Chou. He has incredible vision with that demonstrates sophistication and clarity, so his structure will be the perfect backdrop to feature the incredible works from our 19 craftspeople. Stay tuned for onsite photos...the artists move in later today and the One of a Kind Spring Show opens Wednesday. Click here for the full floorplan.

Publicity

2010-03-24T20:23:00.015-04:00

Participants in the 'Ontario Craft Council's Eastern Gallery' have been receiving quite a bit of pre-show press! Both Paul Matteau and Peter Bunnett were featured on the One of a Kind Show blog, and Vincent Perez was commissioned to create a number of letterpress cards to accompany the One of a Kind media kit. Nice work!

A selection of items have also been shipped to Toronto for an appearance on Breakfast Television...be sure to watch Monday, March 29.

Work in Progress - Candice Nixon, Melting Pot Studio

2010-03-11T15:32:00.004-05:00

Here are some of Candice Nixon's latest works... they are part of her luminous "element" series. The white light between the coloured glass is the gap between each piece of glass.

The blue window is titled: Turbulent - size 26.5" w x 22"h
The red window is titled: Inferno - size 18"w x 42"h

Work in Progress - Vincent Perez, Everlovin' Press

2010-03-04T14:25:00.004-05:00

Press it!

Vincent would like to announce the launch of his website everlovinpress.com and blog everlovinpress.tumblr.com.

Pictured: spring-themed cards in the scoring, folding and trimming stages.

Work in Progress - Koren Bellman, KB Fashion Design

2010-03-01T13:54:00.001-05:00

Warm, functional, upcycled jackets with style...

Gallery Design by Johnson Chou Inc.

2010-02-26T09:17:00.007-05:00

Gallery Design by Johnson Chou Inc! The designers from Johnson Chou Inc are working hard to make the Ontario Crafts Council's Eastern Gallery space cohesive, stunning and functional.

The OCC section will go for minimal elements but must also balance out the sales need of a space and be more practical (for example, the units that make up the walls, shelves, etc will be on wheels for set-up, and all participants will get some on-site storage for necessary restocking-- dimensions dependant.)

The elements the designer wants to use will incorporate lighting (from above and diffused from below), concealable shelving for storage in each unit, shelving and hanging racks for display, walls, a sales counter, etc. The furniture will be displayed free standing, and there will also be several mannequins for clothing display.

Here are some preliminary sketches! The floor plan and more details are to come. This is just to peak your interest!

Work in Progress - Isidora Spielmann, Fashion Design

2010-02-23T17:41:00.009-05:00

Here are some fabulous new pieces from Isidora, as of late February 2010. I adore this top jacket...

Some pictures straight from Isidora's studio in Westport!

Work in Progress - Monika Devine at Lifeforms Accessories

2010-02-17T10:50:00.006-05:00

Here are the images of my latest pieces. They are a new twist on my "Excentrique" collection, using the same wonky circle motif, but incorporating textiles for colour. The textiles come from fabric sample books (upholstery fabrics in this case) given to me by an interior designer who no longer needs them. In these pieces, I have secured them between two layers of sterling silver, in much the same way that I have layered metals, metal leaf and handmade paper in my "Landescapism" series. I've chosen the soft greens for these pieces, as they remind me of the fresh cool greens of early spring, and have thus named them "Early Rain". I hope you like them. More to come!

Monika

http://www.lifeforms-art.com/

Bed and Breakfast Deals in Toronto

2010-02-09T10:03:00.004-05:00

Several Toronto area bed and breakfasts have generously offered OCC participants in this show a special rate for their accomodations!

By the Park $10 off best rate
Toronto Garden Inn 10% off several available rooms
Admiral St. George $75-85 single; $85-95 two-person
Ashleigh Hertitage Home weekly rates for room or apartment, inquire

The only one I've stayed at myself is By the Park B&B, and their breakfasts were tastey and very filling.

NOTE: OCC and OCC staff do not accept any responsibility for booking your stay or the quality of your stay at any of the affor mentioned businesses. These referrals are meant to link you to individual websites of B&Bs, and you must inquire from there.

Work in Progress - Jane Thelwell at Anglin Bay Pottery, Kingston

2010-02-04T18:29:00.011-05:00

I am so excited to be making work for One-of-a-Kind! Here is some of the new work I just took out of the kiln.

These lanterns are thin hand built porcelain (that transmits light) and I have rolled rice into the clay (which burns out in the kilns resulting in the thinner areas that appear like amoebae in a petri dish. You may recall from biology class that the reproductive method of cell division is termed "mitosis".

Check out the other stuff I'm doing. This functional tableware line is made of high-fire stoneware, fired in a gas kiln in reduction, using Shino glaze and various other glazes.

For more details and more images of current work, visit my blog at http://anglinbaypottery.blogspot.com/

One of a Kind Refer-a-Friend Program

2010-02-01T16:41:00.004-05:00

Attention exhibitors: referrals get you cash!!! Here is the scoop from One of a Kind:

Do you have friends who are talented makers just like you? If you know a fellow artist or craftsperson who would be perfect for the Show, tell them about us and encourage them to submit their application and take advantage of the...
One of a Kind Refer-A-Friend Program.

If your friend's application for either the Spring or Christmas 2010 Show is accepted, and your name is written on the application form as a referral; you will receive $100 cash! It's that' easy!

2010 One of a Kind Show Dates
One of a Kind Spring Show
March 31 to April 4, 2010
One of a Kind Christmas Show
November 25 to December 5, 2010

For more information please contact Valerie Roy at valerie@oneofakindshow.com or call 416-960-4514.

EVENT: "Meet the Artists" Social; Planning Meeting

2010-01-25T14:59:00.010-05:00

Attention participating artists, funders, and press!

The Spotlight on the Rideau gallery and boutique will be hosting our pre-event social and planning meeting the first weekend in February.

Date/Time:
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
1:00 - 4:00pm

Location:
Spotlight on the Rideau
21 Chambers Street
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2Y2

Agenda:
1-2pm, refreshments and snacks (social)
2-4pm: getting down to some serious business!

Presentations:

Powerpoint overview of show logistics, presented by Sara Washbush

Introduction of Mary Calarco (coordinator for project on-site)

Topic: The 2009 Eastern Artisans Marketplace at One of a Kind: Experiences, Lessons, Expectations. Anecdotes from: Susan Fournier (1,000 Islands Community Futures Development Corporation); Debbie Gilmer (ceramicist, participant in the Eastern Artisans Marketplace 2009.)

Questions will be answered throughout the meeting.

RSVP to: Sara Washbush, swashbush@craft.on.ca or 613-204-1391

Wanting to carpool? Post a comment!

CONTEST: One of a Kind Green Competition

2010-01-25T14:51:00.004-05:00

Announcing the The One of a Kind Green Competion, presented by Lipton Green Tea

We invite all One of a Kind Spring Show exhibitors to create an entry based on the theme Green! Interpret this as you wish and your creativity could win you cash!

All entries will be identified with both the exhibitor name and booth number and they must remain in the competition display for the duration of the Show from Wednesday, March 31 to Sunday, April 4.

A panel of judges will award prizes on the afternoon of Thursday, April 1, 2010.
• 1st Prize - $500
• 2nd Prize - $300
• 3rd Prize - $200
• People’s Choice - $200 (visitors will be able to vote on their favourite entry!)

The Criteria:
• Your entry must be self supporting.
• Your entry should not exceed 2 feet in diameter.
• Your entry should reflect the medium in which you work.
• You must be the designer, creator and producer of the entry.
• You must agree to sign in and sign out your entry with our décor staff at the show. Items that are not signed in cannot be displayed.
• You must agree not to remove the piece from the competition display until the Show has concluded.

A participation form will be included in your Exhibitor Kit which will be available online in the next few weeks.

Geography

2010-01-25T13:53:00.012-05:00

The studio of a craftsperson might be found down a secluded country lane, or hidden amidst the bustle of an urban neighborhood. Often, these studios are just waiting to be discovered.

I've listed the town/city for all OCC participants juried into this particular event. Many of them participate in yearly studio tours. These craft ambassadors can also link you to galleries and cultural hotspots in their given area-- see the hyperlinks below (or post them yourselves!)

1) Catherine Timm, Westmeath (fibre)
2) Dar Bolahood and Charles Sylge, Haliburton (woven fibre)
3) Thomas Aitken and Kate Hyde, Warsaw (painted clay vessels)
4) Rob Brown, Peterborough (furniture)
5) Monika Devine, Cobourg (silver jewellery)
6) Koren Bellman, Picton (apparel)
7) Nicole Armour, Milford (bookbinding)
8) Vincent Perez, Kingston (letterpress printing)
9) Jane Thelwell, Kingston (functional pottery) NGB Studios
10) Peter Bunnett, Ompah (furniture)
11) Isidora Spielmann, Westport (apparel)
12) Michael Doxey, Portland (functional pottery)
13) Paul Matteau, Merrickville (woodturning) Grotto Artworks
14) Candice Nixon, Cornwall (stained glass)
15) Jennifer Jakob, Ottawa (lampworked glass)
16) Sylvie Parisien, Ottawa (ceramics)
17) France Grice, Ottawa (fused and kiln cast glass)
18) Laura Fauquier, Ottawa (woven fibre)
19) Cynthia O'Brien (sculptural clay)

Did you know: eastern Ontario has the highest concentration of OCC members of all the regions (north, southwest, east) outside of central Ontario.

Experiences

2010-01-24T19:00:00.001-05:00

Is this your first time experiencing what it is like to be present at a large retail show? Please share your lessons and experiences with the community!

Newcomers to the One of a Kind Show as well as seasoned professionals can all grow through shared knowledge-- let's get some e-mentoring happening. POST!

Wooden media

2010-01-24T15:21:00.002-05:00

From top to bottom: Peter Bunnett, Paul Matteau, Rob Brown

Metal media

2010-01-24T13:00:00.001-05:00

Monika Devine

Paper media

2010-01-24T12:35:00.002-05:00

From top to bottom: Vincent Perez, Nicole Armour

Glass media

2010-01-24T11:37:00.005-05:00

From top to bottom: Jennifer Jakob, France Grice, Candice Nixon

Fibre media and Apparel

2010-01-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

From top to bottom: Laura Fauquier, Dar Bolahood and Charles Sylge, Isidora Spielmann, Catherine Timm, Koren Bellman

Clay media

2010-01-24T10:16:00.004-05:00

From top to bottom:
Thomas Aitken and Kate Hyde,
Jane Thelwell, Michael Doxey, Cynthia O'Brien, Sylvie Parisien.