Mactaquac Craft Festival; SHMF Emerging Artisan Award
SHMF is delighted to become the presenting sponsor of Craft NB’s revival of a beloved New Brunswick tradition – the Mactaquac Craft Festival. The festival will take place at the York Centennial Site in Mactaquac Provincial Park from August 29th to 31st, 2025, presenting a showcase of artisanal work from across the province and providing an exciting and creative youth program. This signature grant is a mark of respect and admiration for the makers of the province. Congratulations to the leadership of Craft NB for this deep dive into the rich and varied craft practices of the province.
Christina Foster, executive director of Craft NB, notes that during the 3-day festival the public is invited to enjoy historical and contemporary craft demonstrations, hands on workshops, a dedicated children’s craft area, performances and a curated artisan market.
Jennifer Pilon
During the opening ceremony, SHMF will be presenting the 2025 SHMF Emerging Artisan Award, a tribute to one of the founding figures of the original Mactaquac Festival. This juried award of $4000, recognizes accomplishment by an artist in the early stages of a career and additionally supports their creative growth through educational opportunities.
The 2025 recipient of the award is Jennifer Pilon, a ceramic artist based in Riverside-Albert. Jurors, Adda Mihailescu, Helen Stanley and Harriet Taylor praised Ms. Pilon’s portfolio for demonstrating a technical proficiency in a range of ceramic techniques. It presents a consistent body of quality work and promises innovative investigation of sculptural design, to express her commitment to environmental issues. Pilon’s creative practice encompasses a production based business, community service and leadership, art education, residencies and exhibition – truly an emerging artist of note.
For festival details contact:
Allison Keane, MCF Coordinator, mcf@craftnb.ca
www.mactaquaccraftfest.com
Instagram @mactaquac.craft.fest