Heritage NL is excited to highlight a CBC feature with Krissy Holmes on the Craft at Risk exhibition currently on display at the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Heritage NL curated the exhibition which is running from October 4 to November 8, 2024. This exhibition showcases the work of several Mentor-Apprentice participants. Please check out the exhibition in person at the Craft Council Gallery which is open Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm. For more info about the Craft Council including their location visit their website: https://www.craftcouncilnl.ca/contact
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
CBC feature on Heritage NL's "Craft at Risk"
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Media Release: Updated List of Endangered Crafts Released for Newfoundland and Labrador
For immediate release
The Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2024 is designed to track changes in levels of local knowledge, and to plan for the future. Concerned about the loss of traditional know-how, Heritage NL has been working to document crafts at risk and to encourage the sharing of heritage skills.
The Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2024 features 76 crafts, 16 of which are listed as critically endangered. These include things such as coopering, spruce root basketry, and making black bottomed sealskin boots. An additional 42 crafts are listed as endangered, while 15 crafts are listed as currently viable. Three crafts, including the recently listed hay barrack making, are listed as having become extinct in the last generation.
Heritage NL has partnered with the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador to showcase some of these crafts at risk in a new exhibition at the Craft Council Gallery on Water Street, St. John’s. This exhibition features the work of 18 participants of the Heritage NL Mentor-Apprentice Program. This program, coordinated and funded by Heritage NL, was a one-on-one immersion program to support the teaching of endangered crafts and skills from an established mentor to an apprentice craftsperson or tradesperson.
“The culture and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador is so entwined with craft,” says Dr. Lisa Daly, chair of Heritage NL’s Board of Directors. “Through the fishery, built heritage, making clothing, and our foodways, we find the art and craft that has taken things from functional to beautiful. I hope that we can continue such partnerships to preserve and share the intangible cultural heritage that makes this place so uniquely home for us, whether our ancestors have spent generations here, or we are new to the province.”
“Heritage NL hopes to continue to work so that future generations can continue to learn the crafts that shape our identity,” Daly adds.
The Craft at Risk exhibition runs until November 8th, 2024 at the Craft Council Gallery (155 Water Street) which is open to the public from Wednesday to Saturday 12-5pm.
Find the Heritage NL Craft at Risk List 2024 at www.heritagecraft.ca
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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Dale Jarvis, Executive Director
Heritage NL
dale @ heritagenl . ca
709-739-1892 x1
www.heritagecraft.ca
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Supporting Crafts at Risk during the Holiday Season.
A great way to support Crafts at Risk this holiday season is to buy local! When it’s possible for you, consider heritage crafts for your next purchase or gift.
Mile-a-minute quilt by Mary Elliott of Main Brook. |
Many of our Mentors and Apprentices sell their work at a variety of locations both in person and online! Follow them on social media or reach out to inquire about purchasing a piece:
Websites:
Susan Furneaux - https://www.susanfurneaux.com/
Lori McCarthy - https://www.lorimccarthy.ca/
Sylvie Mitford - https://www.artemiswoven.com/
Charlotte Reid - https://yaycharlottestreet.wixsite.com/charst
Jennifer Morgan - https://jenniferleemorgan.ca/about/contact-me-and-links/
Ian Gillies - https://iangillies.ca/
Marnie Parsons - https://runningthegoat.com/marnie-parsons/
Abby Hann - https://www.puritysyruppress.com/shop
Instagram:
Megan Samms - @livetextiles
Jane Walker - @janevwalker
Stephanie Stoker- @sheaoli
Jessica McDonald - @my_wovenwords
Christian Dauble - @wovenlore
Morgaine Parnham - @treelinefinecraft
Dennis Flood - @artist_blacksmith
Sandi Yates - @sandiyates709
Neil Hammond - @hammondwoodwork
Facebook:
Chantelle Evans - Tautulle by Chantelle Evans
Nicole Travers - Blomidon Beadwork
Guy Barnable - Drangan Landscaping
Sarah MacAulay - Sarah MacAulay Art
Eileen Murphy - Baskets by Eileen
Tina White - NatureMinded
Etsy:
Erica Dawe - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/EricaJaneDesign
Duncan and Katie Major - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/walpurgispress
Work by mentors and apprentices can also be found at Great Caribou Studio & Cafe in Mary’s Harbour, Glen John Craft Shop in Conne River, or King’s Point Pottery in King’s Point. The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quidi Vidi Artist Studios are also excellent locations to buy local craft. There are also many local craft fairs in the lead up to the holiday season.
Let us know your favourite place to shop for local craft!
Friday, July 14, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep236 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Letterpress Printing with Duncan Major and Katie Butler Major
Duncan and Katie in their home studio. Photo courtesy of Heritage NL. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Duncan Major, and apprentice Katie Butler Major who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Walpugis Press |
Duncan learned the craft of letterpress from Tara Bryan, a painter and book artist who was well known internationally for her letterpress work. He started working as Tara’s apprentice in 2000 at the age of 14. In this role Duncan helped make handmade, limited-edition artist’s books. The pair continued to collaborate until Tara’s death in 2020.
Since 2004, Duncan has operated Walpurgis Press with Katie Butler Major, making cards and sundries. Duncan has introduced bookmaking and printing to kids in St. John’s, Goose Bay, North West River and Nain.
Working on the Love poster during the apprenticeship. Photo submitted by Duncan Major and Katie Butler Major. |
Katie has always been drawn to handcrafts. She is an avid sewer and knitter, and enjoys working with her hands creatively—so letterpress is a natural fit for her. Katie has helped design and produce invitations, coasters, and cards. As Duncan’s partner, she has learned the basic printing process and is also familiar with the materials that go along with printing. Katie has participated in Printer’s Fairs organized by the Book Arts Association, met letterpress artists from abroad, and visited Running the Goat’s printshop in Tors Cove.
Friday, June 30, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep235 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Cossack Making with Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee
Katie posing with her finished cotton duck tote bag. Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Charlene Rumbolt, and apprentice Katie Lee who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Charlene is the lead artist and knowledge keeper at the Great Caribou Studio in Mary's Harbour. A talented seamstress, she was a winner in the Senior Visual Arts division of Arts & Letters NL in 2019 and 2021. Charlene is a member of the NL Craft Council. She began sewing at 11 years old and has since made dresses, pants, handbags and more. Charlene has taught crafting and art for over twenty years, in both group and individual settings. For the last 12 years, after learning from elders in Nain and Hopedale, Charlene has been making the traditional Cossack/Dickie and the Akalik. Learn more about her work at Great Caribou Studio.
Katie's finished cossack (also known as a dickie). Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee. |
Prior to the start of the program Katie had basic skills in cossack making and was intent on improving her abilities. Her artwork has been inspired by her Indigenous roots and she plans on making more traditional outerwear to carry on her ancestors traditional craft while simultaneously expressing her own creativity within her culture. She has previously worked at the Great Caribou Studio in Mary's Harbour.
Katie sewing her cotton duck tote bag. Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee. |
Friday, June 23, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep234 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Spruce Root Basketry with Danny White and Arlene White
Danny and Arlene collecting spruce roots. Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Danny White, and apprentice Arlene White who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Danny demonstrating how to make the basket mould. Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White. |
Danny learned the teachings, stories, and process of basket making starting at the age of 12 from his father, Anthony White. Anthony was considered a master basket maker. Danny has taught courses and held exhibitions at Pow Wows, schools, and colleges. His work has been documented in newspapers, magazines, and videos.
Arlene White with the frame of her spruce root basket. Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White. |
Arlene completed a course with Master Basket Maker Dan White in 2018. She has an understanding of how to dig spruce roots, and how to harvest some of the material. She has made two baskets but is interested in taking her knowledge to the next level in order to keep the skills alive, and pass it on to the next generation to ensure the tradition continues for years to come.
Friday, June 16, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep233 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Weaving with Morgaine Parnham and Sylvie Mitford
Sylvie's loom set up for overshot weaving. Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Morgaine Parnham, and apprentice Sylvie Mitford who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Morgaine has been a practicing craftsperson for over 10 years. She graduated from the College of the North Atlantic Craft and apparel design program in 2012 majoring in Print and Dye, Surface Embellishment and Weaving. After graduation Morgaine held a studio at Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios. Later she moved to Bonavista to open her own craft shop and weaving studio. Aside from formal training Morgaine learned a lot from her mother who has been informally teaching Morgaine since she was a child. Morgaine has experience teaching group workshops to both adults and children.
Sylvie posing with her finished woven bedspread. Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford. |
Sylvie has been interested in weaving since she was a teenager, and has moved from a simple handmade loom to a floor loom. She has woven scarves, wraps, blankets, tea towels and yardage. Sylvie is a knitter and sewer and also has an interest in natural dying. She wants to learn more advanced weaving techniques and weave structures, and also learn how to spin, and make use of the local wool from the sheep in Bonavista.
One of Sylvie's finished products! Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford. |
Friday, June 9, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep232 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Letterpress Printing with Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann
Abby showing off her work outside Marnie's press and shop, Running the Goat. Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Marnie Parsons, and apprentice Abby Hann who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Abby preparing her ink for printing. Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann. |
Marnie first learned letterpress printing from Tara Bryan, who invited her to her studio in the summer of 2000. After working for several years in Tara’s shop, Marnie set up her own letterpress studio in her home in St. John’s. She then moved her shop to Tors Cove in 2013, where it remains. The shop is open to visitors throughout the year.
Abby getting ready to set the type. Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann. |
Abby graduated with a Bachelor of Fine arts from NSCAD University in Halifax in 2020. During her degree she focused on printmaking, primarily using the relief technique. Since then, Abby has maintained a prolific printmaking practice from her home studio and small printing press. Abby has participated in artist residencies in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and South Africa, while exhibiting prints in multiple solo and group exhibitions.
Check out the episode here:
Friday, June 2, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep231 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Birch Broom Making with Richard and Michelle Park
Michelle and Richard holding two birch brooms at the Gilliams History Society Museum in Gilliams, NL. Photo courtesy of Heritage NL. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Richard Park, and apprentice Michelle Park who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Richard Park is a retired teacher who was first exposed to the birch broom in 1957 while teaching in the community of Fox Roost-Margaree. Later in 1979 in Francois, he learned the skills to make birch brooms from a fisherman in the community. He has been making birch brooms since, and has made several brooms including many as gifts.
Richard demonstrating how to "run" a birch broom. Photo courtesy of Richard Park and Michelle Park. |
Michelle is a history teacher with an interest in local history and folklore. Since the age of 10 she has watched her father make birch brooms as gifts for family and friends, as well as for the family’s own use. Michelle’s experience was admittedly limited; she helped make brooms in the past and was looking to refine the skill.
The pair offered a Build Your Own Birch Broom (BYOBB) program at the Gillams Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays in August of 2022.
Friday, April 7, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep230 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Moccasin Making with Loretta John and Kevin Drew
Completed moccasins. Photo courtesy of Kevin Drew. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Loretta John, and apprentice Kevin Drew who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Mrs. John has over 45 years’ experience making moccasins. She originally learned the craft from Ms. Johnson (known as Doctor Granny among the Mi’kmaq) of Eskaosni First Nation. Since learning her craft, Mrs. John worked at the Glen John Craft Shop in Miawpukuk First Nation for year until she retired. She has shared her skills and knowledge through one-on-one mentoring and group workshops.
Kevin Drew has worked with the Glen John Craft Shop for several years now. Over that time, he has worked with many crafters in the community, having an opportunity to observe different Mi’kmaq crafts. Over the course of his time at the craft shop, Kevin has focused on beading and embroidery work.
Kevin Drew sewing a moccasin. Photo courtesy of Kevin Drew. |
Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, March 17, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep229 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Foodways with Lori McCarthy and Tina White
Lori McCarthy and Tina White holding bottled preserves. Photo courtesy of Tina White. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Lori McCarthy, and apprentice Tina White who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Lori has lived close to the land her whole life. In 2010, she opened Cod Sounds, a company dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural food and footways in the province. She has taught foodways workshops for 10 years on everything from wild game butchery to bread making.
Tina has been gathering knowledge on traditional food/recipes, preservation and foraging for the past several years, inspired by her training in Forest Therapy. She began to share her foraging knowledge with others in 2021, when she offered her first Wild Food Walk & Tastings in Tors Cove.
Lori McCarthy and Tina White collecting seaweed. Photo courtesy of Tina White. |
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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Join our Musical Show and Share!
Want to know how to add the skin to a bodhran? Or how wood is worked to make uilleann pipes? Do you love traditional music? Come see and hear maker-musicians from Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program!
Neil O’Grady and his apprentice Rob Brown will walk you through crafting uilleann (Irish) pipes — woodworking, leatherwork and metalwork.
Paddy Mackey and his apprentice, Bryan Poirier, will explain how they mould and steam wood to shape a bodhran, add tuners, and mount the skin to create a drum.
Flute-maker Michelle Brophy will also join the maker-musicians in the discussion. Afterwards they will be joined by local musician Charlene Sudbrink for a jam session!
When: 2-3:30pm Saturday, March 25th, 2023
Where: Princess Sheila Seniors Club,
163 Water Street, Carbonear
Cost: Free!
Register: heritagenl.eventbrite.ca
Friday, March 10, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep228 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Komatiks with Francine, Dave, and Walter
L-R: Sonny Winters, Francine Winters, and Dave Chaulk in front of completed komatiks. Photo courtesy of Francine Winters. |
In this episode we talk with apprentices Francine Winters, and Dave Chaulk of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and mentor Walter Fowler of Capstan Island. All three are are participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Francine and Dave's mentor, Alfred Winters Jr (also known as Sonny), learned to make komatiks from his father, Alfred Winters Sr. Sonny's father was originally form Kamarsuk near Hopedale and was a renowned komatik builder featured in Them Days magazine. Sonny has made six or seven komatiks a year for the last twenty or thirty years.
Apprentice, Francine, developed carpentry skills from working on her house and cabin. She has always wanted to learn to build komatiks, and saw this program as a great way to learn the traditional methods. Dave is also interested in traditional activities, and found it important to learn from Elders in the community. He has worked with wood all his life creating everything from Christmas ornaments to ramps.
If you want to learn more about how to build komatiks please check out this document created by Francine Winters. It demonstrates how her dad, Sonny, builds komatiks and includes several photos of the process.
Mentor, Walter Fowler, taught apprentice Peter Fowler how to make komatiks. Walter has been building komatiks for over 50 years. He first learned from his father, and older brother and continues making them for himself, his family, and people in Capstan Island and beyond.
Walter Fowler working on komatik. Photo courtesy of Peter Fowler. |
Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, February 17, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep227 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Riddle Fences with Guy Barnable and Eric Escudero
Eric Escudero and Guy Barnable in front of a riddle fence in New Perlican. Photo by Heritage NL. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Guy Barnable, and apprentice Eric Escudero who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program. Guy is a teacher by trade and learned the craft of wriggle fence (or as he calls them - riddle fence) construction from a neighbour and started building them on his own in the 1990s. He is proud to say that his two sons know the craft and have helped him teach it to others. Eric is studying Ethnomusicology at Memorial University. As a newcomer in Newfoundland, he hadn’t had an opportunity to practise Newfoundland riddle fence making prior to the program. Eric has some experience in building wooden fences back in Brazil and learned the basics of building wooden fences and gates from his father.
Eric harvested materials. Photo courtesy of Guy and Eric. |
### Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, February 10, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep226 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Weaving with Megan Samms and Jane Walker
Megan Samms and Jane Walker making a warp. Photo courtesy of Megan and Jane. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Megan Samms, and apprentice Jane Walker who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.
Megan Samms has worked with textiles since she was a child but her main focus over the last ten years has been hand weaving. Over her career she has attended artist residencies and dedicated full time studio hours which has allowed her to finetune her craft. Each piece of her work is unique, and Megan uses plant dyes that she grows or forages locally to colour the yarns she uses in her textiles. With a particular interest in working with the linear structure of burlap and linen apprentice Jane Walker has been practising the art of rug hooking for several years. Upon noticing the correlation between rug hooking and weaving, Jane has been keen to advance her knowledge of weaving.
Megan Samms and Jane Walker beaming a warp. Photo courtesy of Megan and Jane. |
### Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, January 27, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep224 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Spruce Root Baskets with Eileen Murphy and Sandi Yates
Sandi Yates and Eileen Murphy. Sandi is holding her spruce root basket. Photo courtesy of Eileen Murphy. |
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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, January 20, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep223 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Weaving with Stephanie Stoker
Woven linen ecoprint. Courtesy of Stephanie Stoker. |
### Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, January 13, 2023
Living Heritage Podcast Ep222 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Bark Tanning with Susan Furneaux and Nicole Travers
Bark tanned seal skin. Photo submitted by Susan Furneaux. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Susan, and apprentice Nicole who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program. Susan is a craft educator who has been working with and extracting local tannin sources for over 30 years in her natural dye practise. Susan began practising her skill in leather tanning in 2011, and has been traditionally bark tanning and producing viable leather for over five years. Nicole is an avid bead artist and has recently expanded her artistic interest into the craft of tanning. She has been tanning fish skins for over a year, creating fish leather items beaded with traditional Mi'kmaw double curve motifs, petroglyphs and hieroglyphs. Nicole prides herself on teaching others traditional skills and wants to aid in the revival of bark tanning skins.
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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Friday, October 14, 2022
Living Heritage Podcast Ep220 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Duffle Work with Joyce Lee and Miranda Rumbolt
Duffle with embroidery. Photo submitted by Joyce Lee and Miranda Rumbolt. |
### Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Living Heritage Podcast Ep219 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Weaving with Jessica McDonald and Christian Dauble
Jessica McDonald and Christian Dauble. |
In this episode we talk with mentor Jessica, and apprentice Christian who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program. Jessica is a Textile Artist who completed the Textiles program at the College of the North Atlantic and fine-tuned her skills at NSCAD University. She has presented and taught workshops at the Anna Templeton Centre and the Craft Council of NL, and continues to promote and bring awareness to weaving. Christian, an avid knitter, became enamoured with weaving in 2019 and decided to pursue it further. They built a small loom from a canvas frame where they began to practice basic tapestry weaving. Christian has completed over twenty projects in the past two years.
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Living Heritage is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HeritageNL and CHMR Radio.
Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.