Which craft?
’Peg’s artists go beyond the realm of macaroni and gold paint
Stacey Abramson

The Park Theatre had better brace itself for the most badass craft sale this city has ever seen. The juried show, This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Craft Sale, comprised entirely of local artists, is an eclectic, fun example of the evolution of crafting.

On Friday, Dec. 1, tables at the Park Theatre fill with everything from silk-screened shirts and glass to catnip-filled cupcakes for that special feline in your life.

When many people hear the term ‘craft,’ knitted baby blankets, sticky popsicle stick creations and musty church basements come to mind. In recent years, though, many artists have revisited the old traditions of crafting and given new twists of their own. Winnipeg’s craft scene has been growing, and the event at the Park Theatre is the first time many local crafters will be showing at the same place.

The do-it-yourself ethos of the punk scene is alive and well in crafting, and it is this notion that inspires many artists today to explore crafting. Websites such as etsy.com and craftster.com are a testament to the growth of popularity of this movement. These DIY sales and tutorial sites have huge followings.

Artist tamara rae biebrich – one-fourth of the Ladies Allegorical T-Shirt Empire, a collective that will be showcasing at the Park – sums up her thoughts being crafty.

“It is important to connect with and value the objects we use,” biebrich says. “It’s a throwback to the days when things were hand-made and not disposable. Who’s to say what is art and what is craft?”

Grandmother’s… organizer and artist Kristin Nelson is well aware that larger cities have had thriving craft scenes for years. She grew up in Ontario, then attended the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in British Columbia, and was active in the DIY crafts/art scene in both provinces. As such, she attended many events that drew artists, musicians and crafters together to trade, sell and play.

Here in Winnipeg, Nelson saw a whole slew of artists producing crafts and DIY items, but also noticed that very few were showing their work – and so the weekend event was born.

Recycled and reused items will be in abundance at the event, including Jessica Koroscil’s fantastic, raw clothing designs (under the moniker of housefires.ca). Koroscil takes images from vintage illustrations, roughs them up and lovingly places them on everything from underpants to vintage men’s cowboy shirts.

Local shop Stulka will be selling its fabulous line of knitted, sewn and re-loved clothes and accessories by EMK and Dandee Original Designs. Even bike parts have been salvaged and reworked into beautiful bags and jewelry by sexysexybicycle.ca. All of which just goes to show how innovative Winnipeg crafters are.

While all of the crafting and mingling is going on, other sights and sounds will be filling the theatre. Video artist Nicole Shimonek will be making use of the Park’s screen in the theatre with her always-entertaining work, while DJ Fleur will be spinning tunes.

It’s not surprising that crafting has blossomed in Winnipeg, given the climate. But it is wonderful to see that talented artists and crafters alike have come together in what could be the start of one happy crafty family.

In addition, This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Craft Sale is a fundraiser for Local Investment Toward Employment (L.I.T.E.), a local non-profit that economically supports inner city initiatives.