Thursday, March 16, 2006
Crafts council folds, closes shop amid debt
This story ran in the Free Press today. It wasn't a surprise to those close to the action, but it means one less venue for a lot of talented artists. We hope something to fill the hole left behind is not too far away. K is not significantly effected financially as a result of the store closing its doors, but it is a distressing blow to the craft community.
Crafts council folds, closes shop amid debt
Cheques paid to artisans bounce after work sold
Thursday, March 16th, 2006
By Morley Walker
THE organization supporting Manitoba's top artisans and craftspeople has collapsed into apparent bankruptcy, and its Exchange District shop is defunct.
The Manitoba Crafts Council notified more than 100 members earlier this week to pick up their consigned goods from the council's 214 McDermot Ave. commercial gallery before the bank locked the doors.
"We're in big trouble," the grant-supported body's past president, Judy Jennings, said yesterday.
"Unless a fairy godmother comes down from the sky, I don't know how we can carry on."
Jennings, a stained-glass artist, said the organization is in debt about $50,000 against annual operating expenses of $150,000. Cheques totalling $9,000 bounced recently after they were sent out to pay craftspeople whose work had been sold.
The board president and executive director resigned in February. An emergency meeting of members held on the weekend failed to turn up enough volunteers to reconstitute the board.
"Organizational and cash flow issues could have been sorted out," said fibre artist Alison Norberg, whose solo exhibition, In Praise of Colour, opened at the facility last week.
"People were not given enough time to come up with alternatives."
Donna Turner, the former executive director, says the board and membership were well aware of the organization's dire financial straits.
"They did not want to hear it," said Turner, who spent two years in the post.
"The organization has been fraught with problems and poor leadership for many years."
In the past year, the council received $77,000 in government grants, the majority from the provincial Arts Branch. The rest of the council's income came from the sales of members' high-end decorative and functional craft work, much of it to tourists.
An ambitious exhibition slated to open in mid-April, titled Technology in Craft, will no longer have a venue, despite a $3,000 Canada Council grant.
Last summer the council moved its shop, the Craftspace Gallery, across McDermot Avenue from a more expensive space on the main floor of the Mariachi Hotel.
Established in 1978, the crafts council describes itself as "primarily a professional development organization assisting Manitoba craft artisans to build their reputations, profiles and renown."
Among its better known members are ceramic artists Kathryne Koop and Alan Lacovetsky, ceramic sculptor Jordan Van Sewell and glass artist Ione Thorkelson.
Late last year the visual artists' co-operative Site Gallery shut down, citing a lack of business.
Jennings says that crafts councils in other provinces have been experiencing similar problems.
morley.walker@freepress.mb.ca
© 2006 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.
Crafts council folds, closes shop amid debt
Cheques paid to artisans bounce after work sold
Thursday, March 16th, 2006
By Morley Walker
THE organization supporting Manitoba's top artisans and craftspeople has collapsed into apparent bankruptcy, and its Exchange District shop is defunct.
The Manitoba Crafts Council notified more than 100 members earlier this week to pick up their consigned goods from the council's 214 McDermot Ave. commercial gallery before the bank locked the doors.
"We're in big trouble," the grant-supported body's past president, Judy Jennings, said yesterday.
"Unless a fairy godmother comes down from the sky, I don't know how we can carry on."
Jennings, a stained-glass artist, said the organization is in debt about $50,000 against annual operating expenses of $150,000. Cheques totalling $9,000 bounced recently after they were sent out to pay craftspeople whose work had been sold.
The board president and executive director resigned in February. An emergency meeting of members held on the weekend failed to turn up enough volunteers to reconstitute the board.
"Organizational and cash flow issues could have been sorted out," said fibre artist Alison Norberg, whose solo exhibition, In Praise of Colour, opened at the facility last week.
"People were not given enough time to come up with alternatives."
Donna Turner, the former executive director, says the board and membership were well aware of the organization's dire financial straits.
"They did not want to hear it," said Turner, who spent two years in the post.
"The organization has been fraught with problems and poor leadership for many years."
In the past year, the council received $77,000 in government grants, the majority from the provincial Arts Branch. The rest of the council's income came from the sales of members' high-end decorative and functional craft work, much of it to tourists.
An ambitious exhibition slated to open in mid-April, titled Technology in Craft, will no longer have a venue, despite a $3,000 Canada Council grant.
Last summer the council moved its shop, the Craftspace Gallery, across McDermot Avenue from a more expensive space on the main floor of the Mariachi Hotel.
Established in 1978, the crafts council describes itself as "primarily a professional development organization assisting Manitoba craft artisans to build their reputations, profiles and renown."
Among its better known members are ceramic artists Kathryne Koop and Alan Lacovetsky, ceramic sculptor Jordan Van Sewell and glass artist Ione Thorkelson.
Late last year the visual artists' co-operative Site Gallery shut down, citing a lack of business.
Jennings says that crafts councils in other provinces have been experiencing similar problems.
morley.walker@freepress.mb.ca
© 2006 Winnipeg Free Press. All Rights Reserved.
