Awards

Kent and Doug Farndale Award of Excellence

Kent and Doug Farndale have been avid supporters of the craft community for many years, and continue to be actively involved with Craft Ontario.

As lovers of fine craft and volunteers par excellence, Kent and Doug have always been ready to roll-up their sleeves. Both were deeply involved in engaging, recruiting and supporting craftspeople as part of the Craft Ontario Membership Committee, of which Doug was the committee Chair, and together worked to help serve over 3000 members. They visited tradeshows to promote Craft Ontario, and served on numerous fundraising drives. Kent chaired the Patron’s Dinner in 2001 and 2005, and served as a Board Director from 1999 through 2005, all while supporting the work of many other Craft Ontario committees.

Through their knowledge and interest in craft and craftspeople (which is almost encyclopedic), Kent and Doug make it a point to keep up to date with emerging artists and their work. With this knowledge at hand Kent also recognized a need for a gallery in Port Perry (her home town), and when a new library was proposed, she felt that it would be an ideal location to exhibit art and fine craft. After considerable effort and lobbying, she was successful in getting the building committee to add a gallery on the condition that she act as the volunteer director and curator. This was practically a full time job that lasted for ten years 1982 to 1992. In recognition of her service, the Scugog Memorial Public Library named its gallery The Kent Farndale Gallery in 1992, and a bursary in her name was established to annually assist students to advance their studies in the arts. Kent volunteers there to this day.

In recognition of their service to the craft community in Ontario, Kent and Doug Farndale received the Bill and Mary Corcoran Award as part of Craft Ontario’s 40th Anniversary celebrations in 2016.

Generously sponsored by Kent and Doug Farndale in 2017, the Kent and Doug Farndale Award of Excellence recognizes excellence in all craft–related media, and is open to established Craft Ontario members.

 

     

Kent and Doug Farndale – 2016 Recipients of the Mary & Bill Corcoran Award from Craft Ontario on Vimeo.

The Craft Awards program is able to take place on an annual basis through the valued support of many generous donors and sponsors. Our thanks go to the following organizations, businesses and individuals: the The Pottery Supply House, Tuckers Pottery Supplies Ltd., FUSION: the Ontario Clay and Glass Association, Lacy West Supplies. Ltd., as well as members and friends of the Mather, Farndale, Copeland, Walker, Gregor, Yung, McPherson, Cochrane, and Diamond Butts families.

Who We Are

Formerly the Ontario Crafts Council, Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.