Entrepreneurs from Newfoundland and Labrador won several prestigious awards at the 2021 Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence that were presented virtually during Craft East’s Digital Retail Forum.
Knitters Shirley A. Scott and Christine LeGrow, and publisher Boulder Books were recognized for Excellence in Product Design for a book series about traditional Newfoundland knitting. The Saltwater series – Saltwater Mittens, Saltwater Classics and Saltwater Gifts – uses knitting to help the reader discover more about our unique culture through innovative photography, anecdotes, and dialogue, along with historical and geographic snippets. The award for Excellence in Product Design acknowledges the outstanding quality and creativity of the Saltwater series, as well as the pattern writing, which Vogue Knitting described as, ‘elegant’.
Ragmaw Design House was named Outstanding Exporter, which recognizes an individual, organization or company for exporting achievement of craft or giftware outside Atlantic Canada. Known for its beautifully designed handbags, Ragmaw Design House has evolved from a home-based business into an enterprise that ships upwards to 300 bags a week across North America. The company’s sizable export market is a result of its distinctive marketing efforts through photography, display and presentation.
The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Shop and Pantry received the award for Outstanding Retailer, which recognizes excellence in display, merchandising and service to the public. The Shop and Pantry endured one of its most difficult years in 2020, including Snowmageddon and the COVID-19 Pandemic, rebounding to record the best November and December sales in its history. The Shop and Pantry is a destination for fine craft, one that helps tell the story of the province’s traditional and contemporary craft makers.
Information on the three award winners can be found in the backgrounder below.
The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence are presented annually in conjunction with the Craft East Buyers’ Expo, which showcases crafts and giftware made exclusively in the Atlantic Provinces.
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“Congratulations to these successful business operations for the awards presented at this year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards. The Provincial Government is pleased to support traditional and contemporary artists in their efforts to grow and develop innovative products. Craftspeople are resourceful entrepreneurs who build on cultural experiences, and I commend them for their passion into their craft.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
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Learn More
Crafting Our Future – Craft Industry Strategy 2018-2021
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Shop and Pantry
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Media contact
Eric Humber
Industry, Energy and Technology
709-729-2691
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Provincial recipients of the 2021 Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence
Boulder Books – Excellence in Product Design
Knitters Shirley A. Scott and Christine LeGrow, and publisher Boulder Books were recognized for Excellence in Product Design for a book series about traditional Newfoundland knitting. The Saltwater series – Saltwater Mittens, Saltwater Classics and Saltwater Gifts – uses knitting to help the reader discover more about our unique culture through innovative photography, anecdotes, and dialogue, along with historical and geographic snippets. The award for Excellence in Product Design acknowledges the outstanding quality and creativity of the Saltwater series, as well as the pattern writing, which Vogue Knitting described as, ‘elegant’.
Ragmaw Design House – Outstanding Exporter
Ragmaw Design House is an award winning textile producer located in St. John’s. Ragmaw fabrics are designed in-house, and made locally by a team of skilled tradespeople. Owned by Megan Jackman, the business reaches and builds a community through online platforms by curating visual content.
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Shop and Pantry – Outstanding Retailer
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. The Council supports and promotes a high standard of excellence in craft production and service to members and the general public. The Craft Council Shop and Pantry is the premier destination for fine craft in the province, carrying the work of over 150 juried members and has been welcoming visitors and locals since 1991.