.jpg)
Thanks to everyone who came out to help celebrate the Ontario Crafts Council's 35th Anniversary!
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
6:00pm-11:00pm
The Estates of Sunnybrook - Vaughan Estate
2075 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5
This year's Anniversary Gala was held at the historic Vaughan Estate, on the Estates of Sunnybrook. It was a great evening - full of friends old and new who all cam out to celerate 35 great years with cocktails, a special seasonally inspired dinner and some spectacular door prizes.
In addition to the feasting, this year's Gala marked the inaugural presenation of the newly created Anniversary Award Series. Help us honour some of the craft community's great supporters: M. Joan Chalmers C.C., O.ONT, Barbara Mather, and Mary and Bill Corcoran.
For more images by our volunteer photographer, Chris Bird, visit our Flickr site.
The Anniversary Award Series
The Anniversary Award Series has been established to celebrate the spirit of community and giving as exemplified by three of the craft community’s great supporters - M. Joan Chalmers C.C., O.ONT, and Mary and Bill Corcoran. Named in their honour, and presented every five years in alignment with the organization’s major anniversaries, these awards will continue to celebrate those individuals who have made significant contributions to the spirit and vitality of Ontario’s craft sector.
The Joan Chalmers Award, established by the OCC’s Board of Directors, recognizes longtime support of craft in Ontario. This year’s recipients are M. Joan Chalmers C.C., O.ONT and Mrs. Barbara Mather:
About Joan
As the founding President of the Ontario Crafts Council, and in her positions with the Ontario Crafts Foundation and the Canadian Crafts Council, Joan Chalmers has been a visionary leader, a passionate advocate and a committed supporter of crafts in Ontario.
About Barbara
Barbara Mather has continued her family’s support of the John Mather Award since her husband John’s death in 1977. Since 1980, the John Mather Award for Lifetime Achievement has been awarded to 91 people who have displayed exceptional commitment to furthering the development of craft in Ontario and throughout Canada.
The Mary & Bill Corcoran Award, established by the OCC’s Volunteer Committee, celebrates volunteerism and the support of craft based organizations. This year’s joint recipients are Mrs. Mary and Mr. Bill Corcoran
About Mary and Bill
Mary Corcoran was a founding member of the OCC’s Volunteer Committee and has been an active member ever since. Together with her husband Bill Corcoran, Ontario’s craft sector has prospered through their volunteer activity, patronage, and Mary’s own craft practice.
In addition, and in special recognition of the Ontario Crafts Council’s 35th anniversary, a one- time $3,500 award will be given to a craftsperson in honor of all four Anniversary Award Series recipients. The OCC Volunteer Committee has generously provided this award for a participating artist in the upcoming Ontario Craft ‘11 biennial member exhibition. Chosen by the exhibition jury, this award will recognize excellence and innovation in the artistic practice of a mid-career craftsperson.
For more information, please contact Caitlin Plewes at 416-925-4222 x222 or cplewes@craft.on.ca |
