News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design is throwing a birthday party at 7:30 p.m. tonight, at its location on 1683 Barrington Street, Halifax. The celebration will be hosted by Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern, and all teachers, exhibitors, planners, technicians, and supporters from the general public, are invited to attend. Cake and light refreshments will be available and a fiddler will be on hand to get the celebration going. The centre will also be holding an "Open House" with the Mary E. Black Gallery, showroom, and studios will be open for viewing. The centre was officially opened March 28, 1991, as a means of developing and promoting craft and design in Nova Scotia. Since then, it has been the catalyst behind major craft and design forums in Nova Scotia and has helped to redefine and shape the future of this industry. "Over the past five years we have seen the craft and design industry flourish and grow," said Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern. "The centre has been the focal point in recognizing and building the entrepreneurial spirit of the crafts and design community, reinforcing the community's place in our local economy." The multi-use development facility of the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design is the first of its kind in Canada. While the centre does not sell work, it displays the works of Nova Scotia artist - craftspeople and designers and acts as a showcase for the best work. It also offers instructional craft and design classes, as well as various trade literature and local product information. The centre consists of The Mary E. Black Gallery, a showroom, teaching studios for weaving, pottery, jewellery, woodworking, and a general multi-purpose studio. Each year the centre hosts six original exhibitions in the gallery, displaying the work of approximately 150 designers and artist - craftspeople, and the showroom presents the work of about 200 commercial craft producers. In addition, the studios offer roughly 100 different classes and workshops yearly, yielding close to 9,500 hours of instruction. As well, the centre is popular as a visitor centre, with visits growing from 10,500 in 1991, to over 25,000 in 1995. The Centre for Craft and Design is also responsible for several off-site programs such as the Atlantic Craft Trade Shows, and craft/design grants and assistance programs throughout Nova Scotia. This summer the centre, in partnership with the Discovery Centre, Neptune Theatre, and Halifax Dance, will be offering its first arts/science summer school for children aged nine to 12. -30- Contact: Chris Tyler 902-424-4062 trp Apr. 10, 1996 - 2:53 p.m.