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Handcraft Festival biggest in decade

Residents and visitors to the Battlefords will have the opportunity to view and purchase great fine craft from July 16 to 18. Thirty-seven craft artists will be exhibiting at the Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival held at Alex Dillabough Centre.

Residents and visitors to the Battlefords will have the opportunity to view and purchase great fine craft from July 16 to 18.

Thirty-seven craft artists will be exhibiting at the Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival held at Alex Dillabough Centre.

"The handcraft festival will be bigger than it's been in a decade," said Chris Jones, SCC member services co-ordinator. "There will be seven craft artists exhibiting in the Battlefords for the very first time. It's a great opportunity to see what your favourite artists are up to, and to discover the work of someone new."

"People attending the Saskatchewan Handcraft Festival will be able to see everything from great jewellery to metal sculptures, from blown glass to photography," said Jones. "It's the ideal place to get that special something for the home or cottage, or to get a real head start on Christmas shopping."

All artists exhibiting at the festival have successfully passed the rigorous jury process of the Saskatchewan Craft Council to ensure that only craft of the highest quality is on display.

New Artists

Louise Perrin makes hand dyed or painted scarves, sarongs, veils, socks, tote bags, purses and wall hangings. She also specializes in quilted fibre art. She's been sewing for over 45 years and quilting for 30. She teaches fibre art at the Art Gallery of Swift Current and currently has pieces on display at the IQA International Quilt Festival in Chicago and the Fibre Arts Network Exhibit "GeoPhysical" in Calgary. Jean Dunn is a North Battleford based wildlife painter and bird carver. She has been a Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year and was a top 10 finisher in the Federal Duck Stamp Contest in the United States. Her work is based on a love of nature cultivated both in her original home of Minnesota and her current Saskatchewan residence.

David Matthews is a Manitoba based photographer with 25 years of experience. His innovative work uses images of objects to create textual messages. David says our eyes and minds are trained to see what they expect to see. He specializes in surprises.

Irene Tillusz has been a professional photographer since 1980 who has recently begun to specialize in wild life and nature photography. Her work has appeared in magazines such as McLean's and Saskatchewan Business, and now she is using her skills to bring nature into your home or cottage.

Sandra Quiring is a lamp work glass artist and jewelry maker from Meadow Lake. She makes her own glass beads that form the basis for jewelry so beautiful you run the risk of buying it for your best friend, but keeping it yourself.

Jinny Nieviadomy is a Meadow Lake based painter who uses a variety of media to capture the underlying beauty of the world around her. Living in North West Saskatchewan, she's constantly surrounded by inspiration.

Tara Duckworth is a Regina jewelry maker. Her exquisitely crafted silver jewelry uses words and quotes to create work that literally speaks to the nature of the wearer.