2009 Canadian Participation

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The CCF/FCMA’s South Korean endeavour is the CCF/FCMA’s most engaging, most involved and most significant international activity to date. We are proud to declare that Canada has been officially appointed as the Guest Country for the 6th Cheongju International Craft Biennale in 2009.
The Guest Country appointment would not have occurred without the dedication and insight of our member organizations: the provincial and territorial craft councils.
photo of 2007 Canadian presentation

In the fall of 2006, top-level Biennale staff had visited Vancouver, meeting with Yvonne Chui, the CABC Executive Director. Impressed with the work presented by the CABC’s Crafthouse Gallery, the committee originally asked the CABC to be involved in the Biennale, but Chui pushed the national agenda ahead, suggesting that the Committee consider inviting Canada, as a whole, to participate. This first, brief discussion of the South Korean opportunity sparked significant interest within the CCF/FCMA and the provincial craft councils. After a period of research and discussion, an alliance between the CCF/FCMA, the CABC and the Alberta Craft Council (ACC) formed the basis for continuing discussions with the Biennale Organizers. With very short notice, the CCF/FCMA was asked to participate in the 2007 Biennale with a ‘preview’ exhibition. We were more than happy to oblige, resulting in a well-received exhibition, special opening ceremonies and an opulent gift exchange. More details on our 2007 participation can be seen here.

Canada has since been named the official guest country of the 2009 Biennale, a designation which is no small honour, as great candidates seek the opportunity. In 2007, Italy was chosen as the very first Guest Country, displaying three exhibitions of contemporary Italian craft. It was expressed by the Italian representative in a meeting with the Canadian delegation that their country intends to maintain, if not increase, its participation in the next Biennale, with the intention to continue exhibiting for years to come.


photo of children looking at craftsIn 2009, the Canadian guest country pavilion will feature a number of high quality Canadian exhibitions in contemporary craft, with opportunities for Canadian museums, galleries, single-media organizations, educational institutions and of course, individual craftspeople, to be involved in meaningful ways. The CCF/FCMA is confident that this series of cultural exchanges will have a lasting effect on cultural and market relations between the countries.

The CCF/FCMA has already released the call for entry for our feature exhibition in Cheongju, titled Unity & Diversity. A number of other Canadian opportunities and events are being developed to make Canada a main event of the Biennale. For more information on how you or your organization can be involved, see Get Involved.