The Canadian Crafts Federation / Fédération canadienne des métiers d’art is pleased to announce two recipients for this year’s Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft.  The 2018 award recipients have each spent long careers supporting craft and its makers across the country. Both also played integral roles in forming and developing the CCF into the influential and vibrant organisation that it has become.

Tom McFall and Anne Manuel have both recently retired from long years of service as Executive Directors of provincial craft organisations.  The CCF is delighted to take the opportunity this year to acknowledge and celebrate their stellar contributions to the national craft community.

Tom McFall spent 19 years as the executive director and curator of the Alberta Craft Council, now recognized nationally for having an extensive exhibition program, running innovative marketing projects, initiating and leading national events, and enjoying a high level of member satisfaction.

“Tom was always at the forefront of fine craft on the provincial, national and international stages” says Tara Owen, Chair of the Board, Alberta Craft Council  “The more that I came to know Tom, the more I valued the insight and leadership that he provided to everyone within the craft sector…The craft sector of Canada has benefitted immensely from Tom’s work.”

Tom has already been recognized with many awards, including an Alberta Centennial Medal, the prestigious Rozsa Award for Excellence in Arts Management, a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Syncrude Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts Management.  The CCF is pleased to add the Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft to Tom’s extensive list of accolades.

Anne Manuel has been the backbone of the craft community in Newfoundland and Labrador for many decades.  She held the helm of the Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador for 33 years of its 47-year history, building and developing a sector in the province while leading the Council through many challenges and changes.

“Anne’s contribution over the years has been vast, varied and instrumental in creating one of the strongest craft communities and industries in Canada.” says Rowena House, Executive Director, Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador “The range of her involvement spanned from writing a simple letter to a rural craftsperson with some information relevant to their work, to taking an active role with the Canadian Craft Federation.”

Anne has been instrumental in organising international events including a very successful international Fibre Conference in Newfoundland in 2015, which brought 150 participants from around the world to Gros Morne National Park.

The Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft celebrates distinguished contributors to the craft sector, and is one of the highest markers of exceptional commitment to the development of the craft community in Canada. Tom McFall and Anne Manuel certainly fit the bill.  

The 2018 awards will be presented on October 12th, 2018 in Halifax, NS, during the Canadian Crafts Federation’s annual conference “Placemaking.”  Join us for the conference, and to celebrate the excellent work of these key figures in Canadian craft.