www.metalartsguild.ca

For Immediate Release April 15, 2016

70th Anniversary Exhibition Organized by the Metal Arts Guild of Canada Featuring a Juried Exhibition of Canadian Made Jewellery and Metalwork

Host Venue 18Karat, 1156 Yonge Street, Toronto

May 5 to June 2, 2016

Artist Reception, Friday, May 6, 2016, 7 PM to 9 PM

Shao-Pin Chu Shona Rae Jackie Anderson

The Metal Arts Guild of Canada is proud to present INNOVATION, a juried exhibition of fine jewellery and metalwork in celebration of their 70th anniversary, on exhibit from May 5 to June 2, 2016 and hosted by 18Karat located at 1156 Yonge Street, Toronto. The theme for this exhibition came about while considering the past 70 years of the guild and where we came from and what our future will be. In 1946, just after the war a few silversmiths and jewellers got together socially to share ideas and discuss their latest creations, and the idea came about to express themselves with an exhibition of their work. To mark this special event the word innovation came to mind because while artists were trying to create a bowl, locket or catch they had to come up with a new tool or technique to finish the piece. This exhibition asked artists to consider what innovations were in their work. The Steel Trophy winner Shona Rae had a fabulous piece filled with many innovations. Firstly, the swing ring was made to accommodate an enlarged knuckle and to fit perfectly on the finger once the swinging shank was locked into the setting. The setting also had a small compartment to hold mementos of a loved one, like a lock of hair, or a photo. As well, the moonstone was set into gold and placed inside a drilled through beef bone that was a hand-carved and painted portion of the setting. Ms. Rae then made a box container for the ring, which included more elaborate bone carvings and metalwork. The piece shows her skills from stone setting, metal fabrication, stamping and carving to name a few, and that combined with her whimsical idea and creative use of materials she created a well constructed, and wonderful show piece. Juried on April 10, 2016, the judges: past Steel Trophy winners themselves, Charles Funnell (2007), and Claudio Pino (2009), along with bronze sculptor, Yolanda vanderGaast awarded the prizes and selected submissions for inclusion in the exhibition. Best in Show – Steel Trophy Winner: Shona Rae – Sugar Skull Swing Ring and Sugar Skull Bone Box – Calgary, AB Best in Technical Achievement Winner: Shao-Pin Chu – Blue Ice Variations –Toronto, ON Design Award Winner: Jackie Anderson – Looking Forward: Sorrento Lorgnette – Calgary, AB Other artists also included in the exhibition are: Linda Brown – Thunder Bay, ON Catherine Sheedy – Levis, QC Mo Ying Chan – Toronto, ON Susan Lee Stephen – St. Johnʼs, NL Andrée Chénier – Toronto, ON Donald A. Stuart – Midhurst, ON Jay (Seul Kee) Joo – Toronto, ON Annette VanLeeuwen – Toronto, ON Charles Lewton-Brain – Calgary, AB Michaela Wolfert – Almonte, ON Ann L. Lumsden – Ottawa, ON Christine Woollacott – Toronto, ON Christian Roux – Montreal, QC Carolyn Young – Waterloo, ON The Metal Arts Guild would like to thank the sponsors who have helped make this special exhibition a success: 18Karat, Gambhirs, and Umicore. Location of the exhibition: Hours for viewing: 18Karat Tues. – Thurs. 10:00 to 6:00 1156 Yonge Street Fri. 10:00 to 8:00 Toronto, ON, M5T 1G1 Sat. 10:00 to 5:00 416-593-1648 Sun. & Mon. CLOSED For further information please contact Cheryl Fraser – 416-871-5885 – zilberschmuck@rogers.com