Explore Craft in Muskoka & Retail Window Feature

 

Muskoka Arts & Crafts is one of the oldest arts organizations in Ontario, having grown since its inception in 1963 to include a diverse membership of professional artists, hobbyists, amateurs, patrons, and art enthusiasts, fostering a dynamic environment where everyone can learn from each other. Muskoka Arts & Crafts supports artists directly through its programming and resources and is also a champion of arts and culture in Muskoka, always striving to make the community a vibrant and culturally engaged destination for visitors, local residents and summer residents alike. Craft Ontario feels akin to Muskoka Arts & Crafts in our mission to advocate and support craft artists in Ontario and beyond, and wanted to pursue a partnership with them to support the craft artists within their organization and to continue to strengthen our reach beyond the Toronto core.

Craft Ontario staff juried work from the exhibition Explore Craft in Muskoka on October 25 - The spectacular grouping of pieces made for a difficult choice, but the following works were selected through the jury process and we are honored to feature these pieces in the Craft Ontario Shop over the coming weeks:

Artist: Laura Adamiak

Craft Ontario Juried Artworks: Seconds, Minutes, Hours 

 

Laura's work explores the relationship between rust and textiles, hand dyeing cloth with found metals and cloth reminisce to create one-of-a kind pieces. The cloth is bound to the rusted metal, sunlight and time have their way with it, and once the cloth emerges it has become completely and irreversibly transformed. With this, Laura either weaves it back into metal, hand stitches or hangs the pieces of rust dyed cloth to be enjoyed.  She lives tucked in the forest in Huntsville Ontario where she has a "rust garden" of metal which she uses to bring to life beautifully stirring images within the cloth she dyes. 

You can find her on Instagram @fallingtoland

Artist: Andrea Balmer 

Craft Ontario Juried Artworks: Coastal, City Route (rug & pillow series)

 

Andrea is a texture and colour lover. Making things that can be felt is important in her work and so using a combination of fibres; her tufting, punch needle, weaving and hooking work transforms into 3D pieces you can’t help but run your hands over! Also a painter by heart- abstracts are done with acrylic and India ink.

 

Artist: John de Lang

Craft Ontario Juried Artworks: Eastern Bluebird, White Breasted Nuthatch, King Fisher

 

John’s artistic journey began as a collector, culminating in the creation of award-winning bird carvings that offer people a lingering look at the details that escape the eye in real life. Using Tupelo wood from the Everglades, he shapes the contours, burns the feathers, and applies washes of paint. The mounts are often synchronized to the natural habitat, with flowers and leaves fashioned from epoxy, brass foil, and sculpi.

John’s fusion of authenticity with innovation has garnered top awards at the local, national, and international levels, including the Ward World Carving Championship. His work may be seen by appointment at his studio in Kilworthy in southern Muskoka.

Artist: Brendan Duggan

Craft Ontario Juried Artworks: Harvester, Horse Fly

 

"My work shifts between design, craft and art. Combining elements from a broad scope of metalsmithing methodology that includes commercial fabrication and machinist skills as well as traditional blacksmithing techniques. My work can include found art, constructivist assassemblages, and free form linear monoliths."

 

Artist: Elise Muller

Craft Ontario Juried Artwork: Along the Oxtongue River

 

"I have been a stone sculptor since 2001. I trained at the Haliburton School of Art and Design in Haliburton, fine art at McMaster University as well as art design and mixed media in Dublin, Ireland. My sculptures range from figurative to abstract to monumental. Some of my pieces are very small such as stone necklaces and earrings. I also carve lettering and numbering into boulders. In 2018, my granite sculpture Attunement won the Canadian Sculpture Competition at Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrews, New Brunswick."

 

Artist: Brenda Nieves

Craft Ontario Juried Artwork: Queen of Hearts, Aqua Surge

 

Brenda Nieves is a sculptor & ceramic artist living and working in her studio in The Junction, Toronto. Nieves trained at Sheridan College in the Craft and Design program from 2015 - 2016. Her earlier career was designing children’s clothing, then as a Fashion Director for Eaton’s. Nieves works in multiple media, primarily in clay but also explores fabric, painting and printmaking.

 

Artist: Pearl + Sparrow Jewellery

Craft Ontario Juried Artwork: Untitled Earrings (1), Fire Signs necklace

"Originally, I went to the Ontario College of Art and Design to become a graphic designer but fell in love when I discovered the Jewellery Design program. It is so exciting to take beautiful, unique stones, a sheet of silver or piece of wire and, using fire and imagination, turn them into a beautiful, wearable piece of art! Even after over 20 years, it is never boring.

I love to experiment and believe that everyday jewellery should be just as unique and conversation starting as special occasion pieces. Now that I have relocated to beautiful Muskoka with my family, I am very excited to see where my inspiration will take my work in the future."