Toronto Craft Alert » International

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Leah Buckareff, curator of the Reading Raum (Berlin)

jen — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:09:13 +0000

I recently mentioned that I have a few crafty zines lining the shelves of Toronto ex-pat Leah Buckareff‘s Reading Raum in Berlin. A fair number of Torontonians and Toronto-based publishers contributed original works to this project, and I wanted to connect with Leah before the exhibition is over to explore what motivated her to take the Wunderkabinet project in this direction and some of the discoveries she has made as a result.

What is your background in zinemaking and indie-publishing?

I was never a serious zine-maker. [...]

EXHIBITION: Love Lace at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia (July 30, 2011-April 2012)

tara — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:29:10 +0000

Interlaced, by Anna Lindsay MacDonald; Photo by Marinco Kojdanovski of the Powerhouse Museum

A couple nights ago my pal Lizz reminded me of an incredible exhibition she’ll be taking part in in Australia in a few weeks. After checking out the exhibition’s website, I couldn’t resist posting about it here. Love Lace is a major exhibition of contemporary lacemaking practices hosted by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia. For those of you who don’t know, the Powerhouse is [...]

CRAFTIVISM: Mayday: 1001 Chairs For Ai Weiwei at the Chinese Consulate (Sunday, May 15, 1-2pm)

tara — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:29:48 +0000

Ai Weiwei poster courtesy of dangerousminds.net

Many of us in the art and craft community have heard about the situation in China involving the arrest of renowned contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei. Ai Weiwei’s provocative work is often political and deeply human. For example, his recent work Sunflower Seeds consisted of one hundred million porcelain sunflower “seeds” made by artisans in Jingdezhen, which is known as the “porcelain capital” of China. This work was meant to be a [...]

CRAFTY NEIGHBOURS: Printshop Forever (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

becky — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 09:42:57 +0000

Sequined antlers by Cassandra Smith for Printshop Forever. Photo by Mike Goelzer.

I recently caught wind of Printshop Forever (thank you, Faythe), a Milwaukee-based web project that aims to connect work from the art/craft world with budding young collectors. Under the curation and administration of maker, writer, curator and thinker, Cortney Heimerl, this website and shop work together to fill a void she felt in the art/craft divide. At this point in [...]

EXHBITION: Some words on The Wunderkabinet 2 (Berlin, Germany)

Toronto Craft Alert — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:09:56 +0000

Since we were on hiatus during the first round of Leah Buckareff’s (co-founder of the Toronto Church of Craft & City of Craft alike and all around crafty champion) wonderful Wunderkabinet exhibition, we wanted to make sure to give the second edition some love. The Wunderkabinet 2 involves many local craft artists (4 of them part of the TCA team!), so it is like a Toronto-Berlin craft art exchange program. Kudos to Leah for making this happen, and happen so well. For more background on the project, check out this post.

The [...]

EXHIBITION: El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa (until February 27, 2011)

jen — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:34:36 +0000

This is a show that I have been itching to visit since it arrived in Toronto, and I will kick myself forcefully if I miss it. Let this be a public declaration that I will get myself to the ROM before February 27th to see these incredible works by El Anatsui. You should too! p.s. check out this informative piece on Rabble.ca for more background on this artist & his process.

The Institute for Contemporary Culture at the ROM hosts the world premiere of El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Wunderkabinet (deadline: July 23, launches: August 28)

jen — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:46:48 +0000

Our dear friend Leah of Toronto Church of Craft and City of Craft is currently living/making cool stuff happen in Berlin. She’d very much like to create some links between the craft worlds here and there – please see her call for your submissions to her latest project below.

Located inside the incredible bastel lounge that is La Bastellerie in Berlin’s Kreuzberg neighbourhood, The Wunderkabinet will house a very special collection of handmade curiosities from parts near and very far.* [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: From the Great Lakes (August-September, deadline: June 9)

rosalyn — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:03:15 +0000

De La Cason Arte Contemporanea is a brand new exhibition space in Venice, Italy and one of the very few in the city that exhibits works by emerging artists.

“From the Great Lakes” will be an exhibition showcasing work by emerging Canadian artists to an international community, curated by Michelle Galletta, an OCAD grad who now lives and works in Venice. This is an open invitation to artists who live in or are from Ontario and are making [...]

EXHIBITION: Year of the Tiger International Print Exhibition (Opening Feb 13 & 14, show until Feb 28)

jen — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 20:39:43 +0000

PROOF Studio Gallery is again pleased to host the 9th International Print Exhibition and Exchange – an opportunity for printmakers from anywhere in the world to connect with each other by exhibiting their print interpretation of the zodiac sign of the TIGER for the Chinese New Year 2010.

This year we have over 100 prints from across Canada and the United States as well as China, Hong Kong, Romania, Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, and Britain!

Opening Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14
Meet the Artists on Sunday from 2-4 PM!
Exhibiting between February [...]

CRAFTY HAPPENING: DIY/ Art of Craft @ Vancouver Museum (January 21, show runs until April 14)

jen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:22:29 +0000

I know we have some readers from BC, so I thought I’d share some of these great-looking events happening at the Vancouver Museum, spotted on magpie & cake.

DIY @ MOV: A Night of Social Crafting
January 21, 2010 / 7:00 PM

Come celebrate the creativity and community of the growing DIY craft, art and design movement in Vancouver.

Generously sponsored by OPUS and Blim, there’ll be materials and workshops in a range of art and craft media from paper to yarn. Workshops (listed below) will begin at 8pm. There will also [...]

CRAFTIVISM: Operation Sock Monkey, Sock-Monk-a-thon (January 19)

jen — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:15:04 +0000

Operation Sock Monkey, Sock-Monk-a-thon
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 / 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Where:

I’ve been thinking about how best to contribute to Haiti Aid efforts (with, I’ll admit it, a limited budget), and was really glad to see this info come through from Nathalie-Roze on this craft show/rummage sale/bake sale/etc. she is hosting in Leslievile next Saturday. This one is the second “Shop for the Cause” event she is hosting, the first one being for the 2005 Tsunami, during which over $16,000 was raised (Amazing!).

For those of us who are not flush with cash to donate, this is a great & effective way [...]

EXHIBITION: From Me To You @ Show & Tell Gallery (Until January 29, 2010)

jen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:43:50 +0000

Show & Tell Gallery is proud to present “From Me To You” a holiday group show featuring a selection of unique paintings, prints, and sculptures. This international exhibition will showcase over 20 artists that span the globe from North and South America, Europe, and Japan, many of which have not had the opportunity to show their art in Canada before.

Exhibiting artists include:

Rey Ortega
Ryan Bubnis
Andrew Pommier
Shen Plum
Alena Skarina
Tara Lees Azzopardi
Nick Fox
Rosemary Travale
Anthony Gerace
Le Merde
Alexei Vella
Deth P Sun
Anna Chambers
Elicser
Fernando Chamerelli

CRAFT SHOW/EXHIBITION: The Artist Project Toronto (March 4 – 7, 2010)

jen — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 01:27:36 +0000

The Artist Project Toronto is the art show with “soul” and one that celebrates and showcases the talents of Canadian and International independent artists. Now in its third year, the show returns to Toronto at a new location, the modernist styled, Queen Elizabeth Building at Toronto’s Exhibition Place.

The Artist Project is a meeting ground for artists, collectors and art enthusiasts. View and purchase original art from over 175 carefully juried contemporary artists and enjoy an eclectic program of talks, special features and art installations. First time buyers and seasoned collectors will find [...]

EXHIBITION: World of Threads Festival – International Fibre Art (September 18 – October 4)

rosalyn — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:19:04 +0000

World of Threads Festival
September 18 – October 4, 2009

We invite you to Oakville’s biennial celebration of international contemporary and traditional fibre arts. This year we have 14 exhibitions with 90+ artists from 12 countries and 8 provinces.

The Common Thread International Juried Exhibition is the flagship event of the Festival. This year we had 215 entries from sixteen countries and eight provinces. The jurors had difficult decisions to make on jury day. Due to the quality of the pieces received, a decision was made to expand the Common Thread into [...]

EXHIBITION: Open Source Embroidery (June 6-September 6)

rosalyn — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:57:38 +0000

If you’re in Sweden in the next few months, you can check out this exhibition!

Tara forwarded us this information she found from InterAccess.
Open Source Embroidery, created by Ele Carpenter, is an exhibition held in Sweden at Bildmuseet Umea University which facilitates a range of artists who practice investigating the relationship between programming for embroidery and computing.

Bildmuseet Umea University
Open Source Embroidery at Bildmuseet
Open Source Embroidery
6 June – 6 September 2009

Bildmuseet
Umea University
Sweden

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Cheongu International Craft Biennale, South Korea (Sep. 18 – Oct. 1)

rosalyn — Sun, 17 May 2009 17:18:34 +0000

CHEONGJU INTERNATIONAL CRAFT BIENNALE
SOUTH KOREA

Tour Date: SEP 18 – OCT 1, 2009

Canada is the featured guest country for 2009, showcasing contemporary Canadian fine craft. The Biennale is the largest fine craft-based biennale in the world, displaying the work of over 1000 artists from more than 40 countries and reaching an audience of over half a million visitors during the course of the event. With a focus on high-quality functional and sculptural craft, the Biennale attracts attention from collectors, curators, academics, craftspeople and, of course, the public. Part of the [...]

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Toronto Toxic Reef Closing Party (April 22)

angelune — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:10:05 +0000

In celebration of Earth Day you are invited to come to the Knit Cafe to view the little replica of a coral reef, crocheted using only yarn made of recycled plastic bags. There is also a trashy mobile representing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2009. 7-9 pm.
Where: Toronto Knit Cafe, 1050 Queen Street W.
Why: Earth Day!

The team of crafty crocheters will be in attendance: Becky Johnson, Shannon [...]

TCA ON THE ROAD: Trend Mafia Review (Berlin)

jen — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:40:15 +0000

Our dear friend Leah Buckareff, proprietress of Coldnap Bindery & Minister of the Toronto Church of Craft has written to share her experience of attending a craft show in Berlin, where she is currently living. Read more of her crafty (and other sorts) of musings on her blog, Paper Made me Poor.

Trend Mafia Review
by Leah Buckareff

In the neighbourhood of Friedrichshain in Berlin, you can’t walk a block without encountering a shop devoted to local clothing labels. Often, these shops will stock a few items by [...]

SHOP CRAFTY: my goodness what a sale…

angelune — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:05:45 +0000

Ok, so this isn’t local, but I know of a lot of us locals who have bought from this etsy seller and have been very happy. And who doesn’t absolutely adore Japanese craft supplies?

Closing sale: 40% off Japanese fabric and books, in ex-pat Leslie’s etsy shop. She is returning to Canada soon, so get this stuff while she still has it!

CRAFTIVISM: Crocheting Recycled Plastic for Kids

angelune — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:58:50 +0000

Rachel Poulin, left, and Dianne Scott crochet mats and teddy bears with strips of plastic milk bags. Their work is sent to Third World countries to help the poor. Photo by Cathie Coward, the Hamilton Spectator

**Please note, this project is not coordinated by the Toronto Craft Alert. Please contact the people featured in the article if you would like details on the project**

Today a co-worker brought in a clipping from the metro that got me really excited. This is my kind of [...]

CRAFTIVISM: making cozy

angelune — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:41:33 +0000

One of my favourite craftivists, Magda Sayeg, made a visit to London, England. Her guerrilla knitting activities got her some press in the Guardian.

So when is she going to come to the t-dot? I’d like to know. In the meantime, maybe I’ll find some statues that need some warmth…

I happened upon that article while googling some container-gardening tips, and realized that the Guardian has a really awesome contemporary craft series. Enjoy!

Intern Top Picks No. 4

nightjar books — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:50:16 +0000

It’s already time for another episode of Intern Top Picks!! Happy Feb 15th, friends!

Amy says:
picture from forestbound

1. Simon Hogsberg
A Danish photographer with some amazing projects on the go – make sure to check out “Faces of New York”.

2. Sarah McNeil
Sarah was an etsy fave of mine awhile back, and I knew she was located in Melbourne – so I was very surprised when she set up her trunk [...]

HELP WANTED/CRAFTIVISM: Plastic-bag-yarn Ball

angelune — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:11:52 +0000

Come hang with your favourite local crocheters this Monday, February 16th, 2009, for a few hours of transforming plastic bag “trash” into yarn. You are invited to join us from 4-7 pm at the Knit Café, 1050 Queen Street West. Please bring some plastic bags and a pair of scissors. If you can’t make it on Monday, bring us your trash! The Knit Café will be accepting plastic bag donations until then. The more colourful the better!

This trashy yarn will be used for a collaboration between local artisans and the Knit Café Toronto, who will be crocheting a coral reef entirely [...]

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Handmade Nation Screening & Craft Chat (February 26)

jen — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 17:42:56 +0000

Well this is some pretty exciting news guys!

As part of the DIwhy? show on at the Ontario Crafts Council gallery until March 1st, us here at TCA, the OCC & City of Craft are bringing you the very first Canadian Screening of Faythe Levine’s newly released indie craft documentary, Handmade Nation on February 26th at 7pm.

Tickets will be sold at the door just prior to the screening, but to [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The 6th Annual Square Foot Show 2008 (deadline: June 27, show Aug 16-Sept 7)

jen — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:12:00 +0000

Square Foot 2007, one wall, rows 1-24, continues to row 152

AWOL Gallery is seeking submissions for
Toronto’s most anticipated summer group show
The 6th Annual Square Foot Show 2008
(Held at 100A Ossington Avenue)

SHOW DATES: Saturday August 16th – September 7th, 2008
ARTISTS RECEPTION: Saturday August 16, 2008 7pm
RSVP DEADLINE: June 27th, 2008

AWOL is once again planning for The [...]

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS: Luce Beaulieu of POSCH

jen — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Interview by Pamela Grimaud, TCA’s new Montreal correspondent.

This month’s Q&A is with Luce Beaulieu, founder of two-year old POSCH, a Montreal-based design company that creates bags and gift wrapping fabrics from upcycled textiles. A portion of the profits from each POSCH purchase goes towards supporting the Piping Plover population of Quebec (one of which can be seen both piping and ploving on each bag) as well as Équiterre, a local NGO that aids citizens in becoming more earth-friendly. Visit the POSCH site to purchase your own nifty bag or giftwrap, learn which [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Kate McKinnon at BeadFX (May dates)

jen — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:23:00 +0000

top left: toggle clasp class, top right: pmc rings, bottom left: shag carpet of pearls, bottom right: design workshop class

There are a few spaces available in these upcoming workshops by jewellery artist Kate McKinnon at BeadFX.

Kate McKinnon has been designing and creating jewelry for over 10 years. She fell in love with metal clay in 1997 and hasn’t looked back since. Kate lectures and teaches internationally and is the author of several popular books on jewelry technique. [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Ladyfest Toronto 2008

admin — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:53:00 +0000

Click image to enlarge

A note from Ladyfest T.O.:

Ladyfest Toronto is looking for musicians, artists, filmmakers, and workshop facilitators for our 2008 festival! This fall, we will be celebrating feminism in all its forms this and we need you!

Ladyfest Toronto 2008 is happening in and around Kensington Market from September 18th to the 21st. The aim of the festival is to incite dialogue about contemporary feminist issues and to create space for women to showcase their [...]

CRAFTY CHAT: Toronto Bead Society – May Meeting & Kate McKinnon Presentation (May 14)

angelune — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Toronto Bead Society – May Meeting
GENERAL ANNUAL MEETING AND KATE McKinnon PRESENTATION

Wednesday, May 14, 2008
7:00pm – 9:00pm
YMCA, 20 Grosvenor Street (west of Yonge Street)
Free to members $5.00 for non members
Kate McKinnon has been designing and creating jewelry for over 10 years. She fell in love with metal clay in 1997 and hasn’t looked back since. Kate lectures and teaches internationally and is the author [...]