CCI-newsletter-1975-4-October

NEWSLETTER No. 4. October 1975

WORLD CRAFTS COUNCIL NEWS

Lord E c c l e s , Chairman of the World C r a f t s C o u n c i l addressed the A s i a n Assembly of the WCC i n Sydney l a s t May. Many of the comments he made are r e l e v a n t to I r e l a n d . ' Space does not permit reproduction i n f u l l of h i s remarks but with h i s ' permission we h i g h l i g h t p a r t i c u l a r l y p e r t i n e n t p o i n t s .

Reference had been made to the agonising competition between machine and c r a f t items. "The future of c r a f t s l i e i n the domestic market and not i n i n c r e a s e d s a l e s to t o u r i s t s and overseas markets. Various reasons were advanced (at the Assembly) for g i v i n g p r i o r i t y to the home market, a government can a c t d i r e c t l y on home demand; a government can e s t a b l i s h and s u b s i d i s e c r a f t shops and purchase c r a f t work i t s e l f . On the other hand a government cannot c o n t r o l what t o u r i s t s buy or overseas department s t o r e s can s e l l . Measures to maintain the volume and q u a l i t y of the c r a f t s , i f they are to be permanent and e f f e c t i v e , must t h e r e f o r e be taken w i t h i n the domestic market".

"Seve r a l speakers suggested ways i n which the domestic market for t h e i r b est c r a f t s could be strengthened."-

( i ) Governments should be persuaded t o make n a t i o n a l and l o c a l c o l l e c t i o n s of both t r a d i t i o n a l and contemporary work.

( i i ) E x h i b i t i o n s should be arranged a t home and overseas where t h e i r b e s t work could be seen.

( i i i ) The home market could be strengthened i f help were given for t r a i n i n g courses, the a c q u i s i t i o n of raw m a t e r i a l s , the o r g a n i z a t i o n of c r a f t c o o peratives e t c , . The speakers (at the Assembly) assumed t h a t i f these forms of a i d were to succeed on any s i g n i f i c a n t s c a l e the government concerned had. f i r s t to be persuaded to give the c r a f t s a higher p l a c e i n t h e i r s o c i a l and c u l t u r a l p o l i c i e s " .

''The o r g a n i z a t i o n of craftsmen i n each country"

"Craftsmen must j o i n together i n order t h a t t h e i r v o i c e may be l i s t e n e d to i n high p l a c e s . This means coming together e i t h e r i n a s i n g l e n a t i o n a l body or i n t o a f e d e r a t i o n of c r a f t s o c i e t i e s . Craftsmen are by nature so independent that i t r e q u i r e s the prospect of some b e n e f i t s and the l u b r i c a n t of a l i t t l e cash to make them combine for a c t i o n . We cannot hope for many more Mrs. Webbs (founder and P r e s i d e n t of the WCC. Ed) Governments must now provide the r e q u i s i t e push and inducement.

In c o n c l u s i o n Lord E c c l e s s t r e s s e d the f o l l o w i n g : -

(a) the i n t e r n a l market i s f a r more important than the overseas market.

(b) the craftsmen who have s u r v i v e d or are going to s u r v i v e i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n must be helped to organize themselves i n t o powerful bodies.

(c) governments must be persuaded to give p o s i t i v e a s s i s t a n c e to t h e i r i n t e r n a l markets and to t h e i r c r a f t o r g a n i z a t i o n s .

(d) UN agencies and other grant a i d i n g foundations must be asked to make " q u a l i t y and t r a d i t i o n " an e s s e n t i a l o b j e c t i v e of any c r a f t p r o j e c t which they sponsor".

E d i t o r i a l comment

At t h i s stage i t should be asked how/^tne C r a f t s C o u n c i l of I r e l a n d performed a g a i n s t the c r i t e r i a s e t out above. I t has formed a Na t i o n a l C o u n c i l , p r o p e r l y c o n s t i t u t e d with r e c o g n i t i o n by the World C r a f t s C o u n c i l as the n a t i o n a l e n t i t y . I t has encouraged and a s s i s t e d the formation of c r a f t o r g a n i z a t i o n s on a county and r e g i o n a l b a s i s (two have formed t h i s year and three more are on the way). I t has made r e p r e s e n t a t i o n to the government and n e g o t i a t i o n s are at an advanced l e v e l for the establishment of a permanent s e c r e t a r i a t to a c t as a l i a i s o n s e r v i c e to a s s o c i a t i o n s and i n d i v i d u a l c r a f t w o r k e r s and with e x i s t i n g government ag e n c i e s . I t has a s s i s t e d i n the or g a n i z a t i o n of e x h i b i t i o n s through i t s member s o c i e t i e s and plans are advanced for an A l l I r e l a n d C r a f t s E x h i b i t i o n .

r And the p u b l i c a t i o n of t h i s n e w s l e t t e r has been an attempt to serve as a communication l i n k between a l l i n t e r e s t e d s o c i e t i e s . So a s t a r t has been made. Much needs to be done and what w i l l be achieved w i l l l a r g e l y depend on the t o t a l of the e f f o r t s made by dedicated i n d i v i d u a l s . .REGIONAL NEWS KERRY The newly formed K e r r y Craftworkers A s s o c i a t i o n has been busy and has formulated a s e t of Rules which were accepted at a General Meeting on October 10th. One scheme which has been worked out w i l l , we think, be of i n t e r e s t to a l l C r a f t A s s o c i a t i o n s . I t was i n f l u e n c e d by the f a c t t h a t i n Kerry there are q u i t e a. number of hobby cra f t w o r k e r s whom the Committee di d not want to exclude from the A s s o c i a t i o n . Therefore they agreed to have two c a t e g o r i e s of membership; a s s o c i a t e and member. Anyone can j o i n as an a s s o c i a t e a t a fee of £l per year. Once each year the a s s o c i a t e may apply for membership which may be granted i f the a p p l i c a n t f u l f i l l s c e r t a i n requirements which are s p e c i f i e d . S u c c e s s f u l a p p l i c a n t s w i l l be i s s u e d with a card v a l i d for one year. T h i s means that there w i l l be a continuing assessment of standards and only those who have reached a s e t standard w i l l at any time be members. I t i s hoped that an e x h i b i t i o n w i l l be held annually i n a s s o c i a t i o n with the a d j u d i c a t i o n . For the rec o r d the o f f i c i a l t i t l e of the Kerry A s s o c i a t i o n i s Ceard Chumann C h i a r r a i .

An admirable scheme: i t i s u n i v e r s a l l y acknowledged t h a t the most d i f f i c u l t task of any a s s o c i a t i o n i s to s e t and maintain standards.

GALWAY The E x e c u t i v e of the C r a f t s C o u n c i l of I r e l a n d w i l l hold i t s December meeting i n Galway on Wednesday 3rd. I t i s hoped tha t a l l c r a f t w o r k e r s w i l l attend and w i l l take the opportunity to meet the Exec u t i v e and d i s c u s s the p a r t i c u l a r problems r e l a t i n g to that a r e a . I t i s a l s o hoped t h a t t h i s meeting may lead to the formation of a Galway C r a f t s A s s o c i a t i o n . For f u r t h e r information on place and. time of meeting please c o n t a c t : -

Mr. John Lynch, County Development O f f i c e r , Hynes B u i l d i n g s , S t , Augustine S t r e e t , Galway.

WEXFORD There are many i n t e r e s t i n g plans emerging from the newly e s t a b l i s h e d Wexford A r t s Centre. L e c t u r e s on c r a f t s w i l l take place e a r l y i n the new y e a r . For f u r t h e r d e t a i l s c o n t a c t : -

Mr. A Potter, D i r e c t o r , Wexford A r t s Centre, Wexford.

THE IRISH GUILD OF WEAVERS, SPINNERS AND DYERS This new g u i l d has j u s t been formed and has a membership of 15 (at time of w r i t i n g ) . Meetings are h e l d bi-monthly at the National College of A r t and Design,- K i l d a r e S t r e e t , Dublin 2. (by k i n d permission of the D i r e c t o r ) . New members are welcome. There i s an annual s u b s c r i p t i o n of £2. The November meeting w i l l be given by Karen S i e r r a on Vegetable Dyes. For f u r t h e r information c o n t a c t : -

Miss L i l l i a s M i t c h e l l , N a t i o n a l College of A r t and Design,

EXHIBITIONS

For the World Congress of J u n i o r Chamber I n t e r n a t i o n a l scheduled for Amsterdam, November 2-8, the Dublin J u n i o r Chamber are mounting an e x h i b i t i o n of I r i s h q u a l i t y goods. Many cra f t w o r k e r s are represented and we hope t h a t t h i s opportunity to e x h i b i t to an i n t e r n a t i o n a l audience w i l l open many new markets.

OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES - SWAZILAND

Mr. Wynand van Graan, E x e c u t i v e Vice P r e s i d e n t of EDESA v i s i t e d I r e l a n d r e c e n t l y . EDESA i s a Corporation for the development of E q u a t o r i a l and Southern A f r i c a . I t s s u b s i d i a r y PAN-AFRICAN HANDICRAFTS i s g i v i n g p r i o r i t y s t a t u s to the development of h a n d c r a f t .

The i n t e n t i o n i s to s e l e c t t r a i n e d and experienced craftsmen from whatever c o u n t r i e s they are a v a i l a b l e and to take them to A f r i c a on two or three year c o n t r a c t s . They w i l l then examine indigenous s k i l l s and c r a f t s and a s s i s t i n improving them and to introduce b e t t e r techniques and to t r a i n the people i n new c r a f t s . I n t h i s way a unique o r g a n i z a t i o n w i l l be c r e a t e d , b r i n g i n g to A f r i c a the b e s t s k i l l s i n c r a f t s t h a t are a v a i l a b l e , and thus a s s i s t i n g to overcome some of the problems of poverty.

A p i l o t scheme i s p r e s e n t l y under c o n s t r u c t i o n i n the E z u l w i n i v a l l e y i s Swaziland, where p r o v i s i o n i s made for the i n t r o d u c t i o n of c r a f t s such as pottery, weaving, glassblowing, s i l k screen p r i n t i n g , b a t i k ? t i e dying, e t c , .

Anyone who may be i n t e r e s t e d i n t h i s Scheme should, i n the f i r s t i n s t a n c e , contact, Mary V. M u l l i n , Kilkenny Design Workshops, Kilkenny, T e l . 056-22118.

TEXAS The Southwest C r a f t Center, a non-profit c r e a t i v e a r t school i n San Antonio, Texas i s planning a s e r i e s of workshops and s p e c i a l events throughout the summer of 1976 to t i e i n with the meeting of the World C r a f t s C ouncil i n Mexico. They seek outstanding craftsmen working i n any media who may be attending the Mexico WCC Meeting. I t i s a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t ten i n d i v i d u a l s w i l l be s e l e c t e d from a v a r i e t y of c o u n t r i e s who could conduct workshops at the Southwest C r a f t Center. The i n d i v i d u a l s s e l e c t e d should have a working knowledge of the E n g l i s h language and be prepared to demonstrate t h e i r s p e c i a l techniques along with working with a c t u a l p a r t i c i p a n t s . Workshops w i l l l a s t two or three days and w i l l be attended by approximately twenty to t h i r t y people from a l l over the United S t a t e s .

The Southwest C r a f t Center i s prepared to pay the t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c o s t s from Mexico C i t y to San Antonio and one hundred d o l l a r s towards t r a v e l w i t h i n the United S t a t e s , housing and food for the craftsmen while i n San Antonio and one hundred d o l l a r s per day for each day the workshop i s conducted.

Any craftworker i n t e r e s t e d i n having t h e i r name forwarded for c o n s i d e r a t i o n should contact the Hon. S e c r e t a r y immediately.

BOOKS Long winter evenings may give a l i t t l e more time for rea d i n g . There i s an i n c r e a s i n g number of b e a u t i f u l l y produced and p r a c t i c a l books r e l a t i n g to c r a f t s being published. With a l i t t l e encouragement I'm sure our ever busy and h e l p f u l county l i b r a r i a n s could be persuaded to stock a greater range of c r a f t books. Here are some r e c e n t ones which have come to our a t t e n t i o n : -THE ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT by G i l l i a n Naylor £4.80 - 208 pages (1971) f u l l y i l l u s t r a t e d i n c o l o u r . T h i s book t r a c e s the movement's h i s t o r y , i t s ambiguities, t h e o r i e s , s i g n i f i c a n c e and development. THE CAMERA AND THE CRAFTSMAN by the C r a f t s Advisory Committee £1.85 paperback 80 pages (1975) f u l l y i l l u s t r a t e d . The catalogue of an e x h i b i t i o n which aims to r e v e a l how a c r e a t i v e a r t i s t l i v e s and how often he uses h i s environment i n h i s work. SILVERSMITHING by Robert Gooden and P h i l i p Popham £1.50 paperback 128 pages i l l u s t r a t e d (1971) Both authors have taught at the Royal College of A r t . T h i s book covers design, m a t e r i a l s , t o o l s , and techniques as w e l l as advise on p r o f e s s i o n a l p r a c t i c e .

THE CRAFTS BUSINESS by Rosemary P e t t i t £1.95 ' published by Pitman. An i n t e r e s t i n g new paiperback - i t s main concern i s with making a l i v i n g as a craftsmem. I t d e a l s with b r a s s tacks -insurance, finance, t a x . I t has a lar g e r e f e r e n c e s e c t i o n . L e g a l r e f e r e n c e s would, of course, deal with U.K r u l i n g s on tax, e t c . , but much of the information i s v a l i d here.

We have r e c e i v e d a most i n t e r e s t i n g booklet from K„R. Drummond Bo o k s e l l e r , 30, Hart Grove, E a l i n g Common, London W5 3NB. We would l i k e to, publ i s h t h i s i n f u l l but it's not p o s s i b l e for space reasons. However, i t can be seen on a p p l i c a t i o n , at the Hon. S e c r e t a r y ' s O f f i c e a t the Royal Dublin S o c i e t y or a t the L i b r a r y , Kilkenny Design Workshops. Copies of the l i s t s of books a v a i l a b l e d e a l i n g with A r t s and C r a f t s can be had from the above address by sending one i n t e r n a t i o n a l stamp coupon (8p) with your name and address. Old and new books are l i s t e d and the c a t e g o r i e s under the c r a f t s and a r t s e c t i o n a r e : -A r t , Basketry, Bookbinding, and books, C a l l i g r a p h y , Ceramics, Cooker, Costume, Country C r a f t s , D o l l s , Dyeing and Embroidery, F a b r i c P r i n t i n g , General, G l a s s , H o r t i c u l t u r e , L a c e , Leatherwork, Metalwork, Puppetry, Spinning, Tapestry, B r a i d s , Rugweaving, Toys, Trades and C r a f t s , Weaving, Wild Flowers, Woodwork.

We remind you that t h i s n e w s l e t t e r i s p r i m a r i l y for and about the craftworker i n I r e l a n d . I f i t i s to succeed i n forging a comniunications channel between the i n d i v i d u a l , the groups, cooperatives and o r g a n i z a t i o n s with a commitment to c r a f t s and cr a f t w o r k e r s , then s i n g l y and c o l l e c t i v e l y you must send d e t a i l s of meetings, e x h i b i t i o n s , or events - q u e r i e s you may have - news of courses or ed u c a t i o n a l a c t i v i t i e s and competitions t o : -Hon. S e c r e t a r y , C r a f t s C o u n c i l of I r e l a n d , c/o, Royal Dublin S o c i e t y , B a l l ' s Bridge, Dublin 4.

Member or g a n i z a t i o n s of the CCI w i l l r e c e i v e copies of the new s l e t t e r for d i s t r i b u t i o n to t h e i r members. I n d i v i d u a l s can request a d d i t i o n a l copies by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the above address.

REMEMBER; We can only p u b l i c i s e what you t e l l u s i