New Brunswick Crafts Council celebrate craft heroes.
This weekend the New Brunswick Crafts Council will hold the first in a series of events celebrating the work and contributions made by some of the Council’s many honourary members. NB Craft Heroes will be a casual evening gathering on Saturday November 14 at Winner’s Lounge. All are invited to attend.
“The NBCC wanted to create a free public social event that brought people together in celebration of honourary members of the New Brunswick Crafts Council since its inception in 1948,” said the Council’s Claire Shipplett. “These members make up some of the most innovative and dedicated creative minds of New Brunswick, both past and present, who have shaped the arts and culture of fine craft in this province and beyond. This is an opportunity to connect the rich history of makers and supporters and celebrate this strong community.”
NB Craft Heroes is aimed at being fun social event and will include food from The Happy Baker and a cash bar, as well as a silent auction of fine craft, the proceeds of which will go to support the NB Crafts Council, the oldest provincial crafts council in Canada.
The November 14 event will be centered around the work of two recently named honourary members of the NBCC, Derek Kirby and Martin Aitken, and will also include a slide show highlighting the work of many of the Council’s honourary members.
Derek Kirby is the founder of the annual Christmas Arts & Craft Market at the Capital Exhibit Centre in Fredericton. For 40 years, Derek warmly brought together makers and the public in celebration of locally made products and creativity, actively supporting the craft industry in Fredericton. He fostered a strong community of makers and buyers who understand the value of craft as a way of enriching daily life and a means of sharing one’s perspective and voice. These markets supported the local craft economy and enlivened Fredericton’s appreciation of fine craft. After 40 years, Derek Kirby is retiring from the Christmas Arts & Craft Market, which is being taken up this year by local craftsperson Sandra Deveau, and this event will honour Derek for his contributions to Fredericton’s craft sector.
Martin Aitken of Aitkens Pewter has been heavily involved with the NB Crafts Council over the years, supporting new and emerging artists as well as those further along in their careers. He is being honoured for the impact he has had on the craft sector in New Brunswick and for helping other people to succeed within the craft industry. He is a driving force for local craft and the NBCC will celebrate the more than 40 years that Martin and Aitkens Pewter has been dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship and championing fine craft and its makers.
NB Craft Heroes | Winner’s Lounge | November 14, 2015 | 6:30 p.m. | Free to attend | More information
