An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(8 pages, 1.4 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 24 MB, for close research
Page 1 — CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF THE ARTS
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume X No. 4 Summer, 1961
CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF THE ARTS by Anne Hook F.C.S.C.L.
The 16th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Conference of the Arts was held in Toronto on Saturday September 23rd, 1961, at the King Edward Hotel. An informal warming-up meeting was held the previous evening at the Heliconian Club,open to delegates and any interested persons. Three members of C.S.C.L. were present, Anne Hook, Phyllis and Fred Brown.
The Friday evening meeting was opened by the President of the Conference,Mr. A. Gelber,followed by Alan Jarvis,National Director, who in turn was followed by Philip Torno, Treasurer. These three presented a brief and concise picture of the 3-day Conference of the Arts, held at the O'Keefe Centre last May - programme, cost and accomplishments.
The meeting was then promptly thrown open for discussion,which from a slow start, became exceedingly lively. Food took priority over culture, and Miss Vida Peene rose in defence of her department. 2202 meals were served, and also 4000 cocktails - for details see the Globe and Mail (Dennis Braithwaite's column) Saturday, September 23rd. After food, came the budget. The Conference cost some
$60,000. This came from the government, Canada Council, Metro and individual donors; a profit of about $1,000 on meals and liquor and the rest from registrations. The bank balance, after expenditures, stayed in the black, but just!
Then Cultures: the opinion that the program of speakers at the Conference provided coffee-house conversation in lieu of planned papers, was supplemented by the angry young Towne, who considers that artists'opinions are not of any importance. It was pointed out
[A phantom "ane" at the very end of this page is not on the paper at all — the page ends clean at "pointed out", and the sentence continues on p2, "that the Conference had a three-fold purpose". Left out here.]
All material published in "Canadian Leathercraft" is the property of the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft, and may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the society. Editor of "Canadian Leathercraft" is Mrs. Margaret McFarlane, 45 Summerhill Gardens, Toronto 7, Ontario.
Page 2
that the Conference had a three-fold purpose; (1) The artists' contact with other artists (2) with other arts and (3) with the general public - three entirely different kinds of encounter. Also that a conference of the arts should contribute to our own society,and not be a cultural weapon. Even if the lively arts and the visual arts cannot get along together, they obviously enjoyed and were stimulated by the criticisms. John Parkin pointed out that the best in each field do not need each other, but need to draw upon adjacent fields. The patrons of the Visual Arts, Performing Arts,Social Arts all work in small cells. If good, they need to draw from beyond their own field.
The matter of embellishment on public buildings was considered, as to whether or not legislation should provide for this to be done Herman Voaden compared this to arguing the case for or against abortion. Mavor Moore felt that the Conference provided a fine exchange of views, ideas and experiences. Florence James of Saskatchewan had thought it great,and that the getting together of artists across Canada was most important. Dr. Heinrich has been asked about the conference by dozens of people, who are now interested to know what is going on. The ripples from the splash are widening out.
Alan Jarvis figures that by 1967 we shall have a clear prospect of international reaction. Sam Zacks thinks that art in Canada is now growing up and receiving recognition.
The Chairman asked that the meeting consider WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE. It would be two or three years before another conference could be held. Hugh Walker of O'Keefe Centre hoped that the second conference might be held in Vancouver,but would welcome a later one back to Toronto. To continue to have it in Toronto would give it roots,but to have it across the continent would give new sources for speakers, audiences and funds. If Toronto had it in 1967 which is Centennial Year,a Centennial City might be built as a place to study throughout the world. The argument in favour of Toronto as a place to put down roots was that so much of the art activity of Canada is centred here. Re future conferences, Harold Towne stated that nothing improves by repeating,with the sole exception of sex. Philip Torno pointed out that the Conference is an organization of organizations. Formed in 1945 and during the last two years its membership has increased from 20 societies to 37. The individual makes his own cage for himself. The Conference was concerned with the advance of the Arts. To which Mr. Towne added that the effort was truly magnificent.
The Annual Meeting, on the following day,was attended by about 40 persons and was opened by the Report from the President. A very comprehensive report on the Conference appears in the current (Fall) issue of CANADIAN ART. Copies of the Treasurer's Report were made available, one to each organization. The National Director, Alan
Jarvis' report, was followed by those of Committees,and covered the mechanics of the Conference. cont'd
Page 3 — Executive Council
Reports from component societies were given personally by a dozen societies, the rest reporting by letter. The C.S.C.L. report was read by Fred Brown and ended with a vote of appreciation to all who had worked so tirelessly to make the Conference in May an outstanding success.
Resolutions: That the Conference request that not less than $5000,000 be set aside annually, to be directed to the Arts, Humanities and Social Societies, from the Dominion of Canada Government.
["$5000,000" is printed exactly so. Kept as printed; probably meant $5,000,000 with the comma misplaced, but not corrected.]
Election of Officers: President,Mr. Arthur Gelber (re-elected); first Vice-President, Mr. Philip Torno; second Vice-President, M. Gillies LereCore, Montreal;third Vice-President, Mr. A.F. Key, Calgary; Treasurer,Mr. J.M. Reynolds; Secretary, Mr. David J. Ongley; fourteen National Executive Members were named.
New Business: The matter of when and where the next Conference will be held, was left in the hands of the National Executive, with the possible thought that it might be in 2 or 3 years, and in Vancouver, in conjunction with their Festival, then to come back to Toronto for the Canadian Centenary in 1967.
In the interim, the C.B.C.plans three Panel Discussions,themes to be on art in society in general:
1. The Arts and environment
2. The Arts and communications
3. The Arts and the spirit
these to be held in a hall open to the public, and to be broadcast over the C.B.C.
The Executive thanked all who contributed to the success of the May Conference of the Arts, and, in particular, thanks to the Culturettes,those ladies who gave so generously of their time and energy, and without whom the Conference could not have been possible.
C.S.C.L. Executive - 1961 - 1962
President: Harold Wilson, 400 Charlton St. W.,Hamilton,Ont. Past President: Fred Brown, 9 Nashland Ave.,Islington, Tor. 18. Vice Presidents: Mrs. Nora Huyck, R.R. 2, Newmarket, Ont. Viola E. Harris, 47 Snowd n Avenue, Toronto, Ont Treasurer: Mrs. Betty Heacock, Sharon, Ont. Corresp. Sec'y. Mrs. Nina Wilson, 400 Charlton St.,W., Hamilton. Recording Sec'y. Mrs. George Beech, 884 Brant St.,Burlington, Ont.
Executive Council
["Clarence Redman" is set out here as "Clarance Redman" — this page's own spelling, though the Society spells him "Clarence" on every other page that names him (five instances, 1963–1970s); not corrected to match.]
| Miss B. Austin | Mrs. Anne Hook | Mrs. Jean Newton |
| Mrs. G.H. Caswell | Mrs. Reta Larmour | Mr. Clarance Redman |
| Mrs. Clara Cavanagh | Mrs. Mae MacKinnon | Mr. Cecil Roebuck |
| Mr. Jim Courneya | Mrs. Margaret McFarlane | Mrs. Fred Schooley |
| Mrs. Irva Ford | Mr. Robert Muma | Mrs. Helen Wheaton |
Page 4 — CRAFTS REVIEW
CRAFTS REVIEW
"We are the victims of our own organized violation of the senses.
To the humanisation of our daily environment and the growth of a crafts consciousness this journal is faithfully dedicated."
This is the published purpose of an English crafts magazine which began publication two years ago and is edited by Murray Fieldhouse. It is attractively produced in modern format on two kinds of paper. In a letter, Mr. Fieldhouse writes: "Our aim is to create a craft's consciousness. We, therefore, through the articles try to introduce craftsmen to each other's ways of working and thinking, at the same time providing a certain amount of original material of interest to other workers in the same field and also to teachers and the general public."
Like all magazines of this type "Crafts Review'needs the support of the craftsman whom it is trying to serve. It is published four times a year. Each issue has 50 pages of well illustrated material on all crafts, and the subscription price is $4 per year. ADDRESS: Crafts Review, Pendley Manor, Tring, Herts., England.
NEWS - U.S.A.
C.S.C.L. leathercraftsmen in Toronto, who met Mrs. Nila Joel of Vista, California, when she visited the Larmours here some years ago, will be pleased to hear that she has been awarded first prize in the recent leather picture contest conducted by "The Leathercraftsman," Fort Worth, Texas. Her picture, "The Old Rain Barrel" appeared on the front cover of the March-April issue. It was chosen from a large number of entries from all of the U.S. as well as from Canada and overseas.
Mrs. Joel lived for many years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where her husband was a professor at the University, and she is deeply interested in Canadian affairs, and particularly in the work the Canadians are doing in leathercraft. She has taught leathercraft in Vista for the past several years, and is currently teaching two night classes a week at nearby Camp Pendleton. congratulations are extended to Mrs. Joel on her achievement.
Page 5 — BRANCH NEWS; OTHER NEWS
BRANCH NEWS
London Branch members were very active at the recent Western
Fair Association, supplying all the demonstrators and leathercraft at this popular fair. We hope to have an article on this fair in a future issue of the bulletin.
London Branch members meet on the first Friday of each month.
For the second year Hamilton Branch carried on Workshop Meetings throughout the summer. This summer they experimented by separating into three geographical groups. They covered a wide variety of projects including belts, gloves and desk pad corners and, of course, enjoyed the fun and fellowship of working together.
Hamilton Branch members meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
OTHER NEWS
Our Latvian friends have been busy this season with a great variety of activities including Song and Dance Festivals, Athletic Meet, Theatre Night, Concerts, Authors' Recital,Art, Stamp and Coin and Handicraft Exhibitions. Leathercraft was well represented by the work of one of our members, Mr. Janis Zalitis.
Bob Muma of Toronto has been the leathercraft teacher at the Red Deer, Alberta Summer Training Course for Community Leaders. Bob reports that Alberta does much more than Ontario in leadership and guidance for handicraft groups and we hope to have an article from Bob soon on his experience in Alberta.
Hilda Vaile of London Branch took the 4 week training course for community leaders at Red Deer, Alberta this summer. We are also hoping to have an article from Hilda on the pupil's viewpoint of the course.
Frank Torry of Hamilton Branch won the bronze medal in the Canadian Pacific Exhibition, Vancouver, earlier this year. Other members winning prizes in the same exhibition were; Winnifred Comfort, Hamilton Branch; and Hilda Vaile of London Branch. Congratulations!
We have been informed that a Hamilton Handicraft Group has been formed for the purpose of promoting greater acceptance and understanding of Canadian crafts. The members are craftsmen in Handweaving, Puppetry, Leathercraft, Pottery and Ceramics, Copper Enamelling, Mosiac Tile, etc. Their first undertaking will be a display cont'd
Page 6 — CHRISTMAS SALE; REMINDER; HINTS
and Sale of Handicrafts at the I.O.D.E. Headquarters,Jackson St. W, Hamilton, Ont. on Friday and Saturday, November 25th and 26th,1961, and everyone is welcome.
Mrs. Anne Hook's beautiful utility handbag, finished in brown tones subtly flecked with red, was among a group of pieces of handicraft selected for style and appearance, and used by Miss Elsa Jenkins of the Women's Division of the C.N.E. in a talk on handicrafts in general, on television in Barrie, Kitchener and Wingham.
At the Fair and Sale of goods from all nations by the Canadian Save the Children Fund Festival of Nations being held in October at Casa Loma, Toronto, leather will be represented by the work of some of our members.
CHRISTMAS SALE
The Christmas Sale this year will be held as usual at the Canadian Handicrafts Guild Shop at 77 Bloor Street West, Toronto, on November 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th and will be open Thursday and Friday evenings. Members are urged to get their articles ready for this once a year opportunity.
Members are urgently asked to send in contributions suitable for publishing in the bulletin. Hints or tips; articles, technical or otherwise; letters; comments; news etc. The editor regrets that the spring issue of the bulletin is late but it is because of a lack of material. This is your bulletin and it would be greatly appreciated if members would show an active interest by contributing.
REMINDER
The 8th International Assembly of Leather Craftsmen will convene at the Hotel Wolverine in Detroit on May 4, 5, and 6, 1962. Keep these dates in mind, and it is not too soon to get started on projects for the display, who knows, that idea you never got around to doing anything about may just make the Salon.
HINTS
Some of our members have found that a little calgon or detergent added to the water used for dampening leather before tooling or carving seems to make the dampening more even.
Page 7
CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION
Owing to the destruction by fire of the Manufacturer's building, earlier this year, the Canadian Handicraft Guild were forced to cancel their annual Craft Competitions for 1961, but they expect to be able to resume the competitions next year. The C.N.E. 1961 Leathercraft Awards are as follows -
[The table skips from class 221 straight to 223 in print — no class 222 is printed anywhere on the page; nothing lost here.]
Best in Show SPECIAL CHATELAINE AWARD - Donor, Chatelaine Magazine.
Entered in classes 219 to 225 inclusive.
Awarded to Mrs. Lillian Neelands, Mono Road, Ont. $25.00
219. Any tooled 1st Mrs. Henry Fitness, Brantford, Ont 15.00 leather article, 2nd Mrs. Kathleen Walker, Burgessville,Ont. 10.00 commercial design. 3rd Mrs. Lillian Neelands, Mono Road, Ont. 8.00 220. Any tooled 1st Mr. Albert Shynall, London, Ont. 15.00 leather article, 2nd Mrs. Kathleen Walker, Burgessville,Ont. 10.00
| original design. | 3rd Mrs. Gladys Miles, Toronto, Ont. | 8.00 |
| 221. Any carved | 1st Mrs. Lillian Neelands, Mono Road, Ont. | 15.00 |
| leather article, | 2nd Mrs. Anne Hook, Toronto, Ont. | 10.00 |
| original design. | 3rd Mrs. Kathleen Walker, Burgessville,Ont. | 8.00 |
| 223. Non-tooled | 1st Mrs. Lillian Neelands, Mono Road, Ont. | 15.00 |
| leather article. | 2nd Miss Olivia Smith, Toronto, Ont. | 10.00 |
| 3rd Mrs. Jean Newton, Toronto, Ont. | 8.00 | |
| 224, Leather | 1st Mr. Anton Strojec, Weston San., Ont. | 10.00 |
| gloves, plain. | 2nd Miss Bertha Cowan, Cooksville, Ont. | 8.00 |
| 3rd Mrs. Harry Hodgetts, Toronto, Ont. | 6.00 | |
| 225. Leather | 1st Mrs. Thelma Terry, Scarborough, Ont. | 10.00 |
| gloves, fancy. | 2nd Mrs. Harry Hodgetts, Toronto, Ont. | 8.00 |
| 3rd Mrs. Dorothy Proctor | 6.00 |
Our Society again supplied top craftsmen to demonstrate the various-phases of leathercraft at the Canadian National Exhibition.
Basic care for all leather, say experts,regardless of product, price or colour, is to clean and protect it. Like fine wood, leather develops a mellow glow, when cared for, growing lovelier with the passing years.
Page 8
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