Celebrate Local and Northern Artists During CRAFTED Weekend at WAG-Qaumajuq

CRAFTED: A Fashion Show welcomes local and Northern fashion designers to the Gallery, while CRAFTED: Show + Sale features over 100 artists selling unique items in time for the holidays

Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 26, 2023: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq will host a celebration of fashion and craft with CRAFTED: A Fashion Show and CRAFTED: Show + Sale. On Wednesday, November 1, CRAFTED: A Fashion Show will wind through five exhibition galleries in a unique event that will showcase over 200 looks from fashion designers based in Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut. Then, from November 3 to 5, the Gallery will host CRAFTED Show + Sale, featuring over 100 artists from across 38 communities, including jewellery, handbags, hats, scarves, and more that were featured as part of the Fashion Show.

CRAFTED: A Fashion Show takes place Wednesday, November 1. Doors open at 6pm, Living Lookbook from 6-7:15pm, runway from 7:30-8:30pm, with a champagne and hors d’oeuvre reception to follow. Learn about featured designers and purchase tickets at wag.ca/fashion⁠.

CRAFTED: Show + Sale takes place November 3-5 from 11am-9pm on Friday, 11am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Explore the full list of amazing CRAFTED artists and purchase pre-sale tickets at wag.ca/crafted. Round out your visit to the Gallery with a stop at Katita Café – they will be serving up specialty items for the entire weekend!

Quick Facts: 

• The 9^th annual CRAFTED: Show + Sale weekend kicks off with CRAFTED: A Fashion Show in the WAG-Qaumajuq galleries on November 1, 2023.
• CRAFTED: Show + Sale takes over WAG-Qaumajuq November 3-5, 2023, and features over 100 artists across 38 communities including 23 of the designers with garments featured in the fashion show up for sale!
• CRAFTED: Show + Sale is a one-of-a-kind juried craft show where supporters and lovers of fine, handmade goods will enjoy a beautiful shopping experience surrounded by the art of WAG-Qaumajuq. Visitors will enjoy current exhibitions Inuit Sanaugangit: Art Across Time, Tim Gardner: The Full Story, the Permanent Collection, and more.
• Designers featured on the CRAFTED runway include: Anne Mulaire, April Allen, Astige, August Beadwork, Designs by KarJoy, Elizabeth Avingaq, Fashion by Hafsa, Ittuvik Paquet, Julie Grenier, Kolye TJN, Kristie MAH clothing & fine art, Lennard Taylor Design Studio, Louis, Lounge Lakers, Maison Corazon, May-Laine Siusangnark, Melanie Alagalak, Miriam Delos Santos, Nukariit Creations, SARAH SUE DESIGN, Siggi Clothing, Simone’s Rose, and Winifred Designs.
• New this year, the Living Lookbook will allow up-close access to the accessory designs featured on the runway in the Fashion Show! Prior to the runway show, event attendees can wander through a Living Lookbook and see models wearing jewellery, handbags, hats, scarves, and more made by CRAFTED artists. Be the first to see some of the works that will be available at the Show + Sale, while engaging with the artists who made them.
• Models will be accessorized with handmade items by CRAFTED: Show + Sale artists, which can be purchased as part of the sale.
• Each year, CRAFTED gives back to the community with a philanthropic element as part of the CRAFTED: Show + Sale. This year, net proceeds from a DIY Floral Bundle Dye Kit from Masagana Flower Farm & Studio will go towardsSunshine House, a Community Drop-in and Resource Centre focusing on Social Inclusion and Harm Reduction in Winnipeg.
• CRAFTED: Show + Sale takes place November 3-5. Explore the full list of amazing CRAFTED artists, available at wag.ca/crafted.

Quotes:  

“What began as an experiment in 2015 has become a holiday must-do for local craft aficionados. CRAFTED is a wonderful opportunity to gather at WAG-Qaumajuq, and, along with our amazing northern partners, celebrate the skill, labour, time, and resourcefulness that has characterized craft making throughout the human story.”

— Tammy Sutherland, Manitoba Craft Council

“The NWT Arts Program is honoured to partner with the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Manitoba Craft Council to showcase Northwest Territories craft artists and their work at CRAFTED 2023. Indigenous artists have honed their traditional skills and techniques to create sought-after pieces of work and substantiate their place in the fine craft market. Consumers not only see beautiful pieces with a story, but know their purchase directly supports the maker’s way of life and shows solidarity on this path to reconciliation.”

— Johanna Tiemessen, Manager, NWT Arts Program, Government of the Northwest Territories

“Nunavut Development Corporation (NDC) is honored to be partnering with the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) to showcase northern craft artists and their work at CRAFTED 2023. Craft is at the core of Inuit culture and history. Inuit craft artists across Nunavut share their stories through their craft. We are excited to share some of the best works with you!”

— Goretti Kakuktinniq, Business Advisor, Nunavut Development Corporation

“Each year CRAFTED grows and expands and this year is no exception! We’re excited to partner with two more organizations this year, the Nunatsiavut Government and Avataq Cultural Institute. We are thrilled to have so many artists from across Canada’s North joining us who are able to share their incredible talents here at WAG-Qaumajuq.”

— Sherri Van Went, ShopWAG Manager, WAG-Qaumajuq 

“The CRAFTED Show + Sale continues to get bigger and better each year thanks to collaboration with our amazing partners and sponsors. Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Sussex Realty for helping us expand CRAFTED and connect more people to talented artists across Manitoba and the North. Special thank you to our incredible partners Manitoba Craft Council, Northwest Territories Arts, Nunavut Development Corporation, Nunatsiavut Government, and Avataq Cultural Institute for your dedication and commitment to this incredible event. And thank you to the artists for sharing your work with us. I can’t wait for you all to experience CRAFTED this year, thank you for supporting the arts!”

— Stephen Borys, WAG-Qaumajuq Director and CEO

Partnerships

WAG-Qaumajuq thanks presenting sponsor, Sussex Realty, and the Manitoba Craft Council, Northwest Territories Arts, and Nunavut Development Corporation, Avataq Cultural Institute, and the Nunatsiavut Government for their partnership.

Associated Links

CRAFTED: A Fashion Show
CRAFTED: Show + Sale
See the 2022 Looks

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:  

Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca

About Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq
WAG-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. Opened in March 2021, Qaumajuq connects to the WAG on all levels, celebrating the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. The new WAG-Qaumajuq cultural campus is now one of the largest art museums in Canada. To learn more visit wag.ca. 

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