Canada’s spectacular art and artisan practices are being recognized during the Canadian Crafts Federation’s Craft Year 2007. There are 22,000 professional craftspeople working in this country, some right here in the Canadian Rockies. It’s no wonder many talented artists choose this picturesque and peaceful place to create and display their work. Natural inspiration is all around.

Susan Gottselig
“The glass is hot, the music is rocking and the process begins.” Canmore glass artist, Susan Gottselig is passionate about her work. A 10-year glass blowing veteran, Gottselig believes that “it is important to one’s well being to work at something you love.” Blown glass is riding a wave of popularity, and her pieces line gallery shelves. “I have always had a need to create,” says Gottselig. So going into the artisan business was a natural choice. “I think it is a great way to make a living. You are being creative while being your own boss.” Major Gottselig's pieces are displayed at the Whyte Museum's The Mountaineer & the Artist exhibit to Jan 14. Works that include stunning nature and wildlife sculptures can be purchased at Canada House Gallery in Banff.

Wendy Tassone
Quilting is an ancient artform—relics found in Egypt and China have been dated to 3400 BC. Today, quilting still holds appeal for both the creator and the collector. Jasper quilt maker, Wendy Tassone, considers herself more artist than artisan. She creates landscape quilts that are meticulous in detail and can take months or even years to complete. “They are not easily made,” Tassone says. Tassone began quilting 5 years ago after buying picture patterns from newly opened quilt shop Stychen Tyme. As her talents evolved, Tassone began designing her own Rocky Mountain inspired patterns. Tassone’s fascination with landscapes is not limited to quilts—she also sketches and paints, and continues to take art classes to improve her capabilities. To celebrate Jasper’s 100th anniversary, Tassone and other local quilting guild members are piecing together a commemorative quilt. You can purchase an intricate Tassone quilt in Jasper from Stychen Tyme. Tassone works at the shop and owns Belle’s Mountain Chalet, a cozy B&B that also displays her quilts.

Philippe Plourde
Goldsmiths have always been highly revered in society—kings would sometimes enlist the company of a master goldsmith before seeking council from court. Banff jeweller Philippe Plourde learned his craft at the knee of his father, a master clockmaker. He attended schools in Switzerland, Italy and the United States studying skills from watch making to wax carving to gemology. “I am basically one that’s been condemned to the bench,” says Plourde of his life-long profession as an artisan. But it is a sentence Plourde is happy to serve. An artisan for 46 years, Plourde laments that in the goldsmith trade “modern day technology can take the passion and commitment out of young followers” who work on computers. “Software allows you to type information while a machine carves your wax mould—the results can be just as good as from a master wax carver.” But technology cannot duplicate the creative jewellery that is Plourde’s trademark. If you can dream it, Plourde can make it—his Philippe of Banff shop specializes in custom work, locating exotic gemstones and creating unique pieces.

Wendy Wacko
Jasper artist Wendy Wacko suggests craftspersons are made, not born: “They must master a vocabulary of technique and learn their craft before they can successfully explode with original thought and creative energy." Wacko has spent 30 years painting grand landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and other locales en plein air (outdoors). “Many works were experimental and abandoned while others succeeded beyond my own ability at the time, almost as if the energy of the day took over the brush and gave the work new insight,” notes Wacko. Her recent Retrospective of Memories exhibition at the Scott Gallery in Edmonton showcased compelling and boldly interpreted images of mountains, lakes and forests. Wacko owns Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont in Banff and Jasper, where the collection includes a few of her own paintings (courtesy of the Scott Gallery).

Betty Fiddler
Betty Fiddler made her first pair of moccasins when she was 5 under the supervision of her grandmother. “It’s always been a part of me,” she says of the craft that has been in her family for generations. Fiddler continues to handcraft moccasins, as well as gloves, jackets, blankets, jewellery, bags and even teepees. For many items, she still uses her grandmother’s patterns. Now that Fiddler has opened a shop in a Banff heritage building (Crag Cabin at Banff's Bison Courtyard), her daughters, 94-year-old grandmother and other First Nations artists help in the beading and other craft-making processes. “We work as a team,” says Fiddler, who also teaches craft classes. Fiddler’s beautiful works have earned her a seat at a gala attended by Queen Elizabeth, representation at Expo ’86 and first place at a Calgary Stampede fashion show for a beaded white leather wedding gown. Find Fiddler’s work (and the opportunity to place custom orders), and crafts by other local Natives (including high-end carvings), at Traditional Fine Crafts (Bison Courtyard, 211 Bear St, 762-4775) in Banff.

John Borrowman
Canmore’s John Borrowman began his career as a potter almost 40 years ago doing grunt work at a studio for room and board. Inspired, he took ceramics classes at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. Borrowman claims that “you’re always learning and developing. In my opinion, pottery is not something that you can become established at in months or even years.” During the past eight years, Borrowman took a break from the kiln to work at his downtown Canmore gallery, The Avens Gallery. But now he is back in the studio. Much of Borrowman’s repertoire of exquisite teapots, mugs and vases were “meant to be used, not just put on a shelf.” But now that he has the time, Borrowman plans to be more creative and produce sculptural and decorative pieces. He spends three or four days a week working at his craft, filling the remaining days with business and pleasure activities. His work is displayed at The Avens Gallery in Canmore.

Publication Date: 12/2006