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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Erin Hartz
800.432.7238, ext. 206
erinh@rosengrp.com
www.NICHEAwards.com
Josette Luyckx and Marie Payne Announced Finalists in NICHE Magazine's Fine Craft Competition
Meet the artists and see their work at the Buyers Market of America Cratf
Baltimore, Md. (Dec. 1, 2011) — NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for retaitlers of
American and Canadian craft, announced the finalists for its 2012 NICHE Awards program. "Ring
of Fire" by Josette Luyckx and Marie Payne is a finalists within the Fiber: Wearable category of the
professional division of the competition.
The NICHE Awards competition annually recognizes excellence and innovation in North American craft.
In the professional division, judging is based on three main criteria: technical excellence in surface design
and form; market viability; and a distinct quality of unique, original and creative thought.
The professional division was judged by: Julia Daily, Executive Director of the Craftsmen Guild of
Mississippi and 2011 recipient of the AmericanStyle Honor Award; Arthur DeBow, Exhibitions Director
at the Oregon college of Art and Craft; Leslie Genszler, Director of Retail Operations at the Madison
Museum of Contemporary Art, the winner of the 2011 NICHE Top Retailer Award for " Best Museum
Shop"; Gywnne Ruckenbrod, Executive Director of HandMade in America, a non-profit organization
promoting craft and culture for community and economic development in western North Carolina; Ruth
Misenko, owner of Seasons on St. Croix Gallery in Hudson, Wis.; Betsy Poole, Museum Shop Manager at
Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed house preserved by the Western Pennsylvania
Conservancy.
NICHE magazine also honors the artistic achievements of students enrolled in North
American undergraduate, graduate and certificate arts programs with its NICHE Student Awards program.
Finalists are determined by the editors of NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines and the staff of the Buyers
Market of American Craft.
In the professional division, jurors selected 190 finalists out of almost 1200 entries in nearly 40 categories;
a complete list of finalists will be posted at www.NICHEAwards.com on Dec. 6.
All finalists are invited to display their work in the NICHE Awards exhibit at the Buyers Market of
American Craft, the nation's largest wholesale craft show, Feb. 18-20, 2012, at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Finalists in the professional division will also be featured in the
Winter 2012 issue of NICHE magazine. Award winners will be announced during the Buyers Market at a
cermony on Saturday, Feb. 18, and will be featured in the Spring 2012 issue of NICHE magazine.
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NICHE magazine, www.NICHEmagazine.com, is the exclusive trade pbulication for the independent retailers of
American and Canadian fine craft. NICHE and AmericanStyle magazines are owned by the Rosen Group, a
Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. AmericanStyle, www.AmericanStyle.com, is an
arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers. The Rosen Group also produces the Buyers
Market of American Craft, www.BuyersMarkeofAmericanCraft.com, the nation's largest
wholesale tradeshow of fine craft made by U.S. and Canadian artists. The Buyers Market also presents
NICHE: The Show, www.NICHEtheShow.com in Las Vegas.
Produced by: The Rosen Group, 3000 Chestnut Ave., Baltimore, MD 21211
TV APPEARANCES
Seen on CH Television, channel 11 in Toronto, on CH@ Home, airs at 1:00 pm on November 15, 2006.
Marie and Josette appeared on Rogers Television, "Daytime Toronto", on November 13, 2006, airing live at 11:00 am and repeated at 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm.
As seen on Sun TV's Canoe Live, October 16, 2006 at 6:00pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information:
Kelly Drennan, Third Eye Media
P: 416-778-5934
C: 416-458-1491
E: kelly@thirdeyemedia.ca
Wearable Artist Team Creates Original One-of-a-Kind Clothing download pdf press release
Toronto ON., September 25, 2006 – From the collaborative effort of Marie Payne and Josette Luyckx arises Marie Josette:
one-of-a-kind, limited edition wearable art pieces consisting of women’s jackets, shawls and scarves. In eight years, this creative duo has created over one hundred unique pieces.
While influenced by fashion, Marie and Josette are not dictated by it. “Our creative process allows the owner to see their piece evolve,” states Josette. “This makes it more personal, demanding to be worn, and appreciated for years.” While each piece contains elements of their personal style, it is the client who brings it to life. For this reason no two pieces are ever exactly alike - they become as individual as the wearer, possessing a life and fashion of their own.
The process begins with dyer and weaver Marie, who produces the original hand-woven fabrics. When the weaving is complete, the fabric is washed, pressed and then passed to Josette to construct her original one-of-a-kind wearable art pieces. Josette’s inspiration comes from the fabric itself, therefore she waits until it is ready before sketching possible designs. At peak times, the pair can have as many as eight projects on the go, as their work is coordinated around the client's schedules - when they can attend fittings and if they need the piece for a specific date. For this reason, some pieces can take up to three months to complete.
Personal freedom and the rejection of mainstream culture in the 60s and 70s was the catalyst behind the wearable art movement which attracted weavers, quilters, painters, costumers, and dyers. In the beginning “Art to Wear” was made for the individual; it was traded with other artists; or it was made for performances or exhibitions. It soon developed a following, attracting buyers and collectors from all walks of life, who were drawn to the uniqueness of the clothing.
The term “Wearable Art” however, is today often misused; a constant issue that art-to-wear artists struggle to overcome as they feel it devalues their authenticity. It is meant to define true “one-of-a-kind” work, where no two pieces are alike, and no runs produced even if limited. To this end, there are few wearable artists today, with Marie Josette being the only authentic line produced in Toronto.
Marie brings over thirty years of weaving experience to the team, and Josette has been designing for over twenty years. Together they have participated in numerous Artwear exhibitions and fashion shows, and they are involved in the upcoming Distillery Arts Walks, as well as Toronto’s Alternative Fashion Week. Their newly launched website, www.mariejosette.com, provides more information on “wearable art”, and the process involved. Their showroom is located in the Distillery District’s Case Goods Warehouse and is open 12-5 Wed – Sun, or by appointment.
For more information or to book an interview, contact Kelly Drennan at 416-778-5934 or kelly@thirdeyemedia.ca
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