It's Official "Bronfman Nominee"

OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE

From: Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

LOCAL CRAFTSPEOPLE NOMINATED FOR

PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD
*For immediate release.

ST. JOHN’S, NL (August 15, 2011) – The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador recently nominated two of its members for the Saidye Bronfman Award, Canada’s foremost distinction for excellence in fine craft. Linda Yates and David Hayashida will compete nationally for the award and its $25,000 prize, which is presented annually to exceptional fine craft artists.

The collaborating duo operates a studio, King’s Point Pottery, in rural Newfoundland and specializes in salt/soda firing and high-fired functional stoneware. “For more than 18 years, Linda Yates and David Hayashida have consistently evolved an ever-greater range of ceramic art, capturing the essence of contemporary Newfoundland culture and the attention of collectors, curators and critics,” noted Craft Council executive director Anne Manuel.

“With several provincial and national awards already under their collective belts, Yates and Hayashida are poised for great success. The recognition a Bronfman Award brings would be incredible for their careers as craftspeople.” She continued, “The Craft Council is confident in this nomination not only for the excellence of their ceramics, but also for the innovation of their techniques and the dedication they have shown as craftspeople and community leaders.” The extensive nomination package took two years to compile before it was ready for submission.

Yates and Hayashida, meanwhile, are delighted to have been nominated. “Receiving the Bronfman Award is simply the highest honour in all of Canada for any fine craft artist. Just being nominated is an incredible feeling. Almost all of our favourite master craftspeople have, at some point, either won a Bronfman or been nominated for one. We’re excited to be in the running!”

In its 34 years, the Bronfman Award has never been won by a craftsperson from Newfoundland and Labrador. This fact only adds to the excitement of the nomination, according to Yates. “While no one from our province has won this prestigious award, we’re confident that with so many outstanding craftspeople around us, it’s certainly not a question of ‘if’ it will happen, but ‘when’.”

In addition to the prestige and prize money associated with winning a Bronfman, the Canadian Museum of Civilization acquires creative works by the recipient for its permanent collection. The Bronfman Award was created in 1977 and became part of the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts in 2007. The awards presentation will take place in March 2012.

The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member-based organization that works to maximize the artistic and economic potential of the craft community of the province. For further information, call (709) 753-2749.

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CONTACT:

Jennifer Barnable Communications Director communications@craftcouncil.nl.ca

Tel: 709.753.2749

Co-Nominees for 2012 Bronfman Award

Linda Yates &David Hayashida

info@kingspointpottery.com

Tel: 709.268.2216