The Canadian Crafts Federation / Fédération canadienne des métiers d’art is delighted to announce that Ann Roberts has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft. A practising ceramic artist since 1960, and a dedicated educator and volunteer, Mrs. Roberts has made a lasting impression on numerous craft institutions, organizations, and artists.

“Throughout her career Ann Roberts has helped to shape the Canadian craft scene and has changed the way we view the world of ceramics. Her efforts have helped to elevate the recognition and importance of ceramics and fine craft to the level accorded other art forms. Countless artists have benefited from her contributions as an artist, educator, mentor, visionary and supporter of the arts.” – Linda Brine

A leading presence in the Canadian ceramics scene throughout her career, Roberts has served on the boards of the Montreal Potters’ Club, Ceramists Canada, and the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, where she played a crucial leadership role in the founding of this national gallery. She was also instrumental in the establishment and expansion of a ceramics program at the University of Waterloo, the Keith and Winifred Shantz Summer Internship, and the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop.

A member of the International Academy of Ceramics, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, and winner of “Woman of the Year for Culture” the Kitchener-Waterloo Visual Arts Award, her creative skills are renowned. Her work has been shown across Canada and internationally, is published in 15 books, and collected by 22 museums in Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada. 2012, Roberts’ lengthy career as a ceramic artist was celebrated at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery through a 50 year retrospective exhibition, “With Both Fear and Intrepid Enthusiasm”.

The CCF/FCMA is delighted to bestow this new honour to Roberts, with the presentation of the Robert Jekyll Award for Leadership in Craft. The presentation of this award will be given by none of than the award namesake, Mr. Robert Jekyll, during the Welcoming Reception of the CCF/FCMA’s National “Igniting Citizenship” conference in Quebec City on September 24th, 2015. Together, the community will honour Roberts’ dedication to advancing Canadian contemporary craft practice.