OCC News:
Southwestern Regional Update

 On this page:

• Masterworks Southwest
• Meet & Greet
• The OCC is Heading Southwest 

Masterworks Southwest

Masterworks Southwest is a juried travelling exhibition of contemporary craft that will visit five galleries between March – December, 2010.  This exhibit will showcase 39 pieces of contemporary craft from makers across Southwestern Ontario.  The exhibition will be shown at the following locations:

• Tom Thomson Art Gallery (Owen Sound)
• Burdette Gallery (Orton)
• Art Gallery of Windsor
• Greenwood Quiltery & Gallery (Guelph)
• Station Arts Centre (Tillsonburg)

Please join us for the opening reception on Sunday, March 28 at the Tom Thomson Art Gallery between 2-4pm.

Meet & Greet

OCC members across southwestern Ontario are eager to meet other craftspeople, so we're planning a number of casual Meet & Greet events throughout the region.  All artisans, designers, makers and creators are invited to attend. Please check back often as additional dates and locations will be added.

• Thursday, March 11, 2010 - The Cambridge Centre for the Arts and the OCC invite all Cambridge area craftspeople to attend a casual meet-and-greet on Thursday, March 11, 2010.  Please join us at the Cambridge Centre for the Arts from 7pm - 9pm to chat with other local artisans, discuss the artistic needs of the community and learn about new initiatives being planned by Mary Calarco, the OCC Regional Coordinator for Southwestern Ontario.  Refreshments to be served. Participants will also have an opportunity to enjoy “Mother Earth” an exhibition of sculpture by Cambridge artist Jane Hook, in the Gallery.  Kindly RSVP to mcalarco@craft.on.ca before Tuesday, March 9.

 
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The OCC is Heading Southwest

Southwestern Ontario has a new Regional Coordinator!

The OCC staff and board are very excited to welcome Mary Calarco to the organization just as a number of craft initiatives are brewing in Southwestern Ontario. As the newest addition to the OCC team, Mary brings with her a true passion for Canadian art, craft and design.  Since graduating from OCAD’s Interdisciplinary Studies program in 1995, Mary has spent over a decade promoting the work of Canadian creators and connecting them with the public.  Mary was instrumental in establishing online branding for the One of a Kind Show, and spent eight years developing close relationships with artisans across Canada.  Mary has a keen interest in social media and is eager to connect with Ontario’s crafts community online as well as in person.  To learn a bit more about Mary download her letter below:

Mary Calarco Letter 101 KB

Mary will also be forming a Southwestern Regional Committee to plan programming, organize enthusiastic volunteers and bring new ideas and initiatives to the forefront.  Please check this page often for updates regarding the nomination process and committee term details.

The Regional Coordinator positions are made possible through grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Henry White Kinnear Foundation and the McLean Foundation.  Collectively, these funds support a three year initiative called “Growing Ontario’s Craft Community”.  We’re eager to bring programming directly to you in order to expand our services, improve our communications and strengthen our partnerships outside of the GTA.  For additional details about the Southwest Region, please contact Mary at mcalarco@craft.on.ca.  Sara Washbush, Eastern Regional Coordinator, can be contacted at swashbush@craft.on.ca