YOU ARE INVITED TO DECLARE YOURSELF

Saturday, March 14, 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Important announcement at 8:00 p.m.
Harbourfront Centre, Lakeside Terrace
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto

You, who values the original, the authentic, the personal, all that is unique and enduring.

You, who understands that materials are ideas to be unfolded, stitched together, melted down and sculpted.

You, who sees tradition as the starting point to innovating the functional, and the beautiful.

You, who believes in the limitless expression of Craft, and that together we are more than the one.

Join us for food, drinks and music and see the new possibilities of Craft.

RSVP:  https://declareyourself.eventbrite.com

MEND IT

Saturday March 14, 12:30 – 2:00 and 3:30 to 5:00
Lambert Lounge at OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street

The FELT studio launches MEND IT, a new project that will take the form of a series of events that showcase the art of mending. Visit us at our pop-up booth at OCADU, the conference hub, to find out more and pick up a FELT mending kit featuring a patch designed by visual artist Janet Morton. It is free with the reciprocal obligation to join the MEND IT network.

You can also check out Janet Morton's work on view now at Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen St West, Toronto. The gallery will open it's doors for conference registrants Saturday, March 14, 5 - 7 pm, at the same time that the Sensorial Objects exhibition will be open at the Craft Ontario Gallery. For more information on Janet's work, see www.paulpetro.com/exhibitions/433-New-Work. 

Come Eat With Us

March 12-20, 2015, The Great Hall, OCAD University, 100 McCaul Street
Opening Reception, Saturday, March 14, 4:00 - 6:00 pm

An exhibition inspired by the 2015 Crafting Sustainability conference co-organized by Craft Ontario and the Material Art & Design Department (MAAD) at OCAD University.

The exhibition offers a platform for discussing craft and sustainable practice while fostering new paradigms for production and consumption in the 21st century. Sustainability is grounded in the principles of ecological responsibility, social equity, and economic viability. As makers and designers we have the power to influence social culture through the utensils and materials related to the preparation or consumption of food while challenging the conspicuous paradigm of contemporary consumer culture. In cultures around the world the preparation, consumption and rituals associated with food are achieved using dishes and implements often made of ceramics, metal and fibre. Craft has the power to reassert the enduring object, replacing that which is ephemeral and disposable.

The convenience of fast food is being challenged by the “slow food movement”, in which food preparation is considered a sensation to be savored and enjoyed as much as the meal itself. Material objects define the parameters of these fast and slow food movements and illustrate the trend toward sustainable practices in both food production and consumption. Participants were encouraged to challenge their own perceptions around the issues of food and sustainable craft practices in the creation of work that invites the viewer to “Come Eat With Us.”

During the opening of the exhibition Setsuko Sanagawa, Helen Kong and Sorlie Madox will be performing a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony to illustrate how tradition and food rituals can help sustain a culture. Please join us!

Natural Dye Workshop with the Contemporary
Textile Studio Co-op

Led by Thea Haines and Rachel MacHenry

Saturday, March 14, 4-7 pm
Cost: $30.00 + $ 15.00 materials
Limit of 12 participants.

Working with natural indigo (no chemical additives or assists) and local black walnut dyes on eco hemp and re-claimed textiles, participants will explore mark-making and simple resists for patterning. Using these fabrics, we will create a simple folded and hand stitched Japanese “Fox” bag with a strap.  The workshop will also include an overview of current developments in natural dyeing and natural dye printing, with a display of samples and discussion.

Established in 2006, The Contemporary Textile Studio Co-operative provides affordable and accessible studio space to textile artists and designers in the heart of Toronto’s cultural district.  Through a varied program of workshops, seminars and classes, the studio is linked to Toronto’s larger art, craft and design community. The visiting international artist program provides connections to global textile developments and traditions, while the Summer Student Residency supports emerging textile practitioners. Our website extends our network both through our blog which highlights the activities of our members and through our online publications on textile arts and design.  

www.textilestudio.ca/programming/natural_dye

MIC TOUR

Saturday, March 14
Cost: free
4:00 & 5:00 pm
Limit of 20 participants per tour
OCAD University, room 530, Sharp Center for Design

The Materials Innovation Centre is a material laboratory and library at OCAD University that is accessible to all OCAD U students and faculty. Located in room 530 in the Sharp Center for Design the MIC houses a collection of material both new and familiar from a wide variety of creative practices. The MIC website (https://materialslab.wordpress.com/) is part of our materials database and all material posted on this site is available for viewing at our lab.  Mark Tholen, president and partner of TYYZ/Lumolar and assistant professor at OCADU will conduct a tour of the MIC and introduce you to the materials collection as well as his own unique sustainable practice.

Free registration will be available as a sign-up sheet at the front registration area on Saturday morning. Two tours will be offered, with a maximum capacity of 20 people each, the first starting at 4:00 pm, and the second at 5:00 pm.

Sensorial Objects Exhibition Reception

Saturday, March 14
Cost: free
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Craft Ontario Gallery
990 Queen Street West, Toronto

Come out and enjoy an exhibition of work by Faculty from the OCAD University Fibre Studios:
Monica Bodirsky, Eva Ennist, Ana Galindo, Lynne Heller, Chung Im Kim, Rachel MacHenry, Dorie Millerson, Kathleen Morris, Meghan Price and Laurie Wassink.

By experiencing an object through its tactile, olfactory, auditory, and/or visual properties, the work of the maker stands apart from that which is hastily produced, consumed and abandoned. Positioned as such, these objects draw attention to a renewed role for making, and hold clues to future pathways for human relationships with material culture.

Sensorial Objects is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council.

For more information, please see: www.craftontario.com/exhibitions/current-exhibition/introduction