Thomas Prior House, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Telephone 01 680764

Strength of Association The Crafts Council established a definite policy of encouraging the formation of craftworker associations or guilds at county or district level some years ago. These associations were seen to be both an essential source of strength and unity for craftworkers, who usually work as individuals, and a key to ensuring good communication and an exchange of information between the craftworker and the Council.

The individual generally has little muscle power in a society which today is more and more organised, not necessarily for the sake of organisation but for the strength which organisation gives. This can be seen in the growth of bodies such as trade and employer unions, friendly societies and even community associations formed to protect and promote local interests.

The craftworker, above all, is an individual with a tendancy to avoid organisation. However, even though disciplines differ, common bonds link craftworkers. True, these bonds may often be shared problems, as mundane as sources of raw materials, marketing, transportation and so forth.

Craftworkers who have come together to form associations have identified common interests and have, acting collectively, even in a short period, achieved good results.

These associations, members of the Council, now have a permanent headquarters and secretariat. With more associations being formed the Council is in a position to act at a national level on behalf of the craftworker.

A knowledge of the contribution of craftworkers to the overall economy as consumers of raw materials and services and as producers of saleable products is important. With facts such as these the Council's bargaining power on behalf of the craft community wil l grow.

The Secretariat is not something just dreamed up by the Council as a good thing to have but has always been seen to be essential to progress the Council's work and enable the Council and its association's members to take positive actions to me benefit of craftworkers.

National Crafts Trade Fair The National Crafts Trade Fair was organised by the Crafts Council from the 8th - 11 th March with the cooperation of the Irish Goods Council and Coras Trachtala. The Fair was held in the ground floor showroom of the CTT/lrish Goods Council headquarters, Merrion Hall and among the 35 craft­workers or craft industries taking part were weavers, wooden toy producers, enamellers, makers of candles, glass, rushwork, baskets, pewter, jewellery,

plaques, copper etchings, graphics, leather bags and belts. Over 90 buyers, including some trom North America, Northern Ireland the the U.K. placed business which, between immediate orders and those being negotiated amounted to approximately £50,000.

This first venture into this type of operation by Crafts Council was successful enough to suggest it may become a permanent annual feature.

Royal Dublin Society

National Crafts Competition

1977

This important annual competit ion wil l be held in the RDS premises at Ballsbridge, Dublin in July 1977.

It is open to individual craftworkers, students of schools of art, students of training colleges, students of technical and vocational schools and apprentices.

The last day for receipt of entries wil l be 1 July, 1977 after which work received wil l be ineligible.

A selection of work submitted of a standard approved by the jury wil l be exhibited at the RDS during Horse Show week (August 2nd - 7th inclusive).

Entries wil l be judged on standatd of design, workmanship and competence by an international panel.

Awards include £500 Scholarship or Development Grant, California Gold Medal, Crafts Council of Ireland Meaai, £50 first prize, £25 second prize and £15 third prize in each of the 19 classes.

Entry forms wil l be supplied on application to the National Crafts Competit ion, Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 (telephone 01 680645, extension 312). Entries must be on the official fo rm, one form is required for each entry.

GREAT MINDS..? We were interested to review a copy of The Reporter, the newsletter of the Resources Centre of rhe Crafts Council of Australia.

The Centre provides detailed and comprehensive information on the crafts, on f i lm, slide and tape, as well as books and printed matter. It serves craftworkers, teachers, buyers, federal, State and local government bodies. We quote " .... the Centre provides, within limits, material on craft organisations, craft centres, craftsmen in particular media, shops, galleries, colleges, exhibitions, craft events information on suppliers and those able to give technical advice on formal or informal craft courses acts as a referral point, steering people to more appropriate groups or organis­ations to meet their needs ".

Crafts Council of Ireland was set up to do just that also, and perhaps a bit more in other respects.

SWEEPS

DUBLIN CENTRE MERRION ROAD PUN LAOGHAIRE

R.D.S.

Grant 1977

The Minister for Industry and Commerce has advised the Council that the grant for 1977 wi l l be at the same rate as for 1976, namely £24,000. Last year the Council was only able to avail of £8,000 of the grant as it had not come into official existence as a company until September.

New Office On January 10th Crafts Council of Ireland were able to move into their new office at Thomas Prior House, Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, beside the Royal Dublin Society. The off ice, which is on the third floor, is approached from the Simmonscourt Road entrance. Work has begun establishing a library of craft publications; an index of craftworkers; an index to suppliers of raw materials and equipment; a slide reference library,

and general information centre.

The office is staffed by the Fxecutive Officer, Frank Sutton and the secretary/ assistant Deirdre Lantis and is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm but is closed at lunchtime from I to 2 pm. The telephone number is 01—680764 and craftworkers are always welcome.

It should be re-emphasized, that the grant was requested and given to enable the Crafts Council to establish and staff a secretariat to further the aims of the Council which was set up by craftworkers in 1971, and which, without a secretariat would be unable to maximise the potential of a Council for crafts. The Crafts Council of Ireland is not a grant giving organisation. This is the role of other State and semi-State bodies. (But the Crafts Council is there to assist craftworkers in taking full advantage of aids available.) However, the Council does have limited funds available for disbursement to craft organisations for approved specific projects.

A©OO(0n A T O M mM ©UJniLP MEW1 KERRY Ceard Chumann Chiarrai now has a membership of 50 of which 18 are full members and 32 associates. The majority of members are craftworkers but it is interesting and welcome to note membership extending to retailers and those whose administrative duties entail close contact wi th craftworkers. The interdependence of these groups is not recognised sufficiently throughout the country and it wil l be interesting to learn of developments in Ceard Chumann Chiarrai which may be applied in other associations.

Trade Fair in Killarney

Kerry Craftworkers' Association held a successful local trade fair in Killarney at the end of January. Eight members of the Association took part and buyers from many shops in the county attended the fair and placed orders.

Among the crafts exhibited were pottery, leather goods, wall hangings, etchings and prints, candles, sculpture, macrame, wool crochet, knitwear, and for good measure, Dingle witches.

The success of the fair is attr ibuted not only to the enterprise shown by the promoters, but also to the good relations created by the meeting of craftworkers and store management at the Kerry Craftworkers' Associations' seminar in Tralee in December,

DONEGAL The first Genera! Meeting of the Donegal Craftworkers Association took place in the Regional Technical College at Letterkenny on Saturday 26 February. Details of the officers elected wi l l be announced in the next issue. The Executive Officer of the Crafts Council, and Mrs P. Duignan of Slievebawn Cooperative Handcraft market, a Crafts Council Management Committee member both attended.

The following officers were elected: Chairman: Guy Stevenson, Honorary Secretary: Leonard Roarty, Honorary Treasurer: Mrs P. Carton. Frank Sutton, Executive Officer of the Crafts Council, and Mrs P. Duignan of Slievebawn Cooperative Handcraft Market, a Crafts Council Management Committee member both attended.

CLARE Trade Fair Clare Craftworkers Association held a one day Trade Fair in late January at Bunratty with the cooperation of Bunratty Castle and Folkpark. This successful fair, in which 16 Clare craft­workers participated, was attended by nuyers from shops and stores in the Clare/Limerick area and had a financial turnover of £4,000.

Regional fairs of this sort deserve encouragement as they create a good relationship wi th local stores, lead to awareness of craftworkers in their area and provide regional stores and craft shops wi th locally made products which may not be generally available elsewhere.

Secondary School Competition

Clare Craftworkers' Association has organized a crafts competit ion for second level students in County Clare. The prize fund of £300 has been sponsored by Syntex (Ireland) Limited of Clarecastle. Al l crafts are eligible and there are no defined entry categories this year, the judges assessing and lassifying into prize categories. The

decisions wil l be announced early in VI arch.

Mr Jim Connolly, who is the Clare Craftworkers' Association director on the Craft Council of Ireland board, in innouncing the competi t ion, spoke of the educational value of craftwork which

he felt was still an unknown quantity in many schools, especially the older stablished secondary schools, despite the

fact that the Department of Education now allows for the inclusion of craftwork-in school curriculum.

CORK

Guild Shop's Successful Year

The Cork Craftsman's Guild Shop and gallery at 26 Paul Street, Cork has had a successful year and the cooperative owners are breathing a l itt le easier. Cork people, quite apart from visitors, are recognising that the Craftsman's Guild Shop has to offer an interesting variety of handmade products of good standard. This happily proves the contention the Crafts Council has alway held that craft products are not just tourist items.

WEXFORD Town branches of the Wexford Craftworkers Association have been formed in Gorey and in Wexford town, with a view to furthering and developing crafts in the areas and providing local forums for the exchange of views by craftworkers.

The Wexford town branch wil l hold their first Trade Fair and exhibit ion in the Wexford Arts Centre over Easter. In forming the branch, they hope to develop educational and training facilities as well as developing cooperation in the marketing of goods. Public talks and demonstrations by visiting as well as local craftsmen are planned to be held in the Wexford Arts Centre.

The Chairman of the branch is Mr Richard Reid and other officers are Mrs Jacqueline Healy and Mr Michael Killeen. Gorey

Because of the many craftworkers near Gorey it was decided to establish a special branch in the town. It has some 20 members. The officers are: T. Woulfe, S. Johnson, W. Stedmond, wd D. Stedmond. Correspondence can be addressed to Mr & Mrs W. Stedmond, A/oodvale, Gorey Hi l l , Gorey, Co. Wexford.

The organisation of a retail shop, which wil l be located in Cooks Arcade, and A/ill operate initially for the summer season, is the primary test of the group.

WICKLOW Preliminary discussions have taken place oetween the Executive Officer, Frank Sutton and Tom Broderick of the Wicklow County Development Team and it is expected that a meeting of craftworkers wi l l be held some time after Easter to take the matter of a Wicklow Craftworker Association on to a more definite stage.

Willow? Salley? Osier? "Down by the salley gardens. . . . " wrote N eats when there were salley gardens. Where are they now? Are there any true salley gardens left where the wi l low is cultivated oi is the gathering of wi l low for basket making iust haphazard . . . . when it is not imported? We know of the little salley garden at Bunratty, but

Mosaics Course LIBRARY NCEA

Centro Internazionale di Studi per I'lnsegnamento del Mosaico under the patronage of the Academy of Fine Arts organizes each year International Courses for the study of mosaics which takes place at Lido Adriano in Ravenna. The aim of the project is to encourage cultural exchange between nations and spread knowledge of the art and technical methods involved in the making of mosaics among Italian and foreign students.

Courses wil l be held in the months of June, July, August, September 1977. Applications to be made before 21 May.

Courses are for beginners and for advanced students.

There is a maximum of 30 places available on each course of which 70% are for beginners and 30% for advanced students. Professional artists or teachers are excluded as are those outside the age group 14—50.

Preference for places wil l be given to those with institutional backing. Enrolement fees for the 15 day course are approximately £33 for beginners and £40 for the advanced course.

Limited grants valued at £33 wil l be made available to applicants approved by their Embassies, the Italian Cultural Institute, Universities, Ar t and Trade schools.

Details from Executive Officer, Crafts Council of Ireland.

UK Hot Glass Seminar The Crafts Advisory Committee and the Royal College of Art organized a very successful seminar in September attended by 100 U.K. craftworkers and 50 from overseas (including Ireland's Simon Pearce). The seminar covered the historical, technical and industrial aspects of glass, demonstrations and exhibitions being part of the activities.

The essential reason for the seminar, which was conceived at the Toronto WCC Biennial Meeting, was to stimulate the studio glass movement in the U.K. and provide an important international meeting to discuss new developments in studio glass work.

All the papers read at the seminar have now been published in a special folder and copies are in the Crafts Council library. These may be read there or arrangements can be made for a period loan.

A small library is being set up at the new offices. It wil l be open to craftworkers and those in related fields from 10.30 to noon and 2.30 to 4.00 pm each day, Monday to Friday inclusive.

Journals on hand:

Crafts from March 1976 Craft Horizons from Apri l 1976 Pottery in Australia Spring 1976 Ceramic Review Sept./Oct. 1975

Recent Acquisitions in the Library

F ANDERSON, ed. Tye-Dyeing and Batik, Octopus 1974 A DYER Dyes from Natural Sources, Bell 1976 F HAMER The Potters Dictionary of Materials and Techniques, Pitman 1975 F KULASIEWICZ Glassblowing, Pitman 1974 T SHAFER Pottery Decoration, Pitman 1976 PSMITH New Directions in Bookbinding, Collier Macmillan 1974 D RHODES Clay and Glazes for the Potter, Pitman 1975

The Craftsman's Ar t , exhibit ion of new work by British Craftsmen at the V&A Museum, Crafts Advisory Committee, England 1973

The North American Basket, 1790— 1976; exhibit ion catalogue of the Craft Centre, Worcester, Massachusetts

Catalogues of Raw Materials and Equipment.

Lister's, 1977; agents in Ireland for Wenger materials and equipment for craft pottery and metal enamelling.

Margros Colour Products Catalogue; Berol/Margros agents J. T. Russell & Co. Ltd., Cork for print, paint and mosaic materials

Podmore & Son Ltd. , Potterycraft Catalogue; agents in Ireland J. T. Russell & Co. Ltd., Cork

"There can be no fullness or complete realisation of ut i l i ty wi thout beauty, refinement and charm, for the simple reason that their absence must in the long run be intolerable to both maker and consumer".

Bernard Leach

The NCEA Policy Report on Ar t and Design Studies in Higher Education was published on 10th January, and exten­sively covered by the National Press.

There was no mention per se of crafts in the report although the subject was undoubtedly seen as part of art and design. The inclusion of crafts, especially at Regional Technical College level is a matter which the Crafts Council regards as essential if there is to be any progress in craft education at primary and secondary level. There are admittedly some excellent craft facilities at some of the colleges but the fact that a report of this nature can be made wi thout reference to crafts suggests that these disciplines may be considered of l itt le concern.

" A glass jug, a wicker basket, a coarse muslin huipi l , a wooden serving dish: beautiful objects, not despite their usefulness but because of it. Ther beauty is simply an inherent part of them like the perfume and the colour of flowers. It is inseparable from their funct ion: they are beautiful things because they are useful things. Handcrafts belong to a world antedating the separation of the useful and the beautiful".

Octavio Paz

Amateur Craft Film

Joe Daly, an Achil l businessman, has made a f i lm on the lifestyle and work of the island craftsmen in an endeavour to preserve some aspects of craftwork now dying out. There are examples of the spinning of wool , cleve and basket making by Michael Bawn Kilbane and boat building at Currane by the O'Malley family. The making of sp i I lets and snouds for fishing is almost lost as a skill since the introduction of modern fishing gear.

The f i lm has been shown locally and the Crafts Council is investigating wider circulation.

May Issue

The closing date for copy will be 26 Apri l

Contributions in the form of news items, letters, calendar of events, are invited.