Gail Rogers and her contributions to craftspeople and the status of craft in British Columbia.
Word of Gail Rogers’ passing has been moving regretfully through the BC craft world. Gail’s knowledge of craft was through the influence of her mother, Grace Cameron (after whom the Grace Cameron Scholarship is named). From the 1960s–70s, Grace, a BC craft expert, alongside Doris Shadbolt scouted BC for crafts to sell at the Vancouver Art Gallery shop and to promote for exhibitions. Yes, craft, ceramics, and textiles were given solo exhibitions at VAG in the 1960s and 70s.
“she started to lay down a foundation for a provincial umbrella organization dedicated to craft“
In 1973 Gail was the first Executive Director of what was then known as the Craftsmen’s Association of BC. The name was later changed to reflect greater inclusivity to the Crafts Association of BC, and in 2009 officially became the Crafts Council of BC. The CABC actually emerged from the Community Arts Councils and was formally registered as a society in 1973 with Jean Marie Weakland as the first president, Deidre Spencer as the first editor of Crafts Contacts, and Gail, as the first Executive Director. This first office, library, and tiny exhibition space was located in downtown Vancouver, in the Dominion Building on the corner of Hastings and Cambie Street, and that is where I first met Gail. That is where she started to lay down a foundation for a provincial umbrella organization dedicated to craft.
By the late 1970s, everyone wanted to be on Granville Island, the new hot arts location in Vancouver, and in December 1979, CABC moved to 1411 Cartwright Street, Granville Island, and shared its location with Cartwright Street Gallery, a separate entity /gallery managed by Diane Carr. The establishment was assisted by the federal government through the CMHC.
After extensive fundraising and effort from a dedicated board, in 1985, the CABC was able to move across the street, to its present location. Architect, Wolfgang Gerson, husband of weaver, board member and loyal volunteer Hilde Gerson (Hilde Gerson Award) designed the layout of the building, and for the first time CABC had a gallery/shop, a meeting room, offices, and Crafthouse was established. In 1992 the Cartwright Street Gallery morphed into the Canadian Craft Museum, moved to Howe Street, and survived only until 2002.
In contrast, the CABC/ CCBC has grown and evolved over 50 years, in no small part thanks to the foundation created by Gail and her volunteers. She oversaw the development of the shop/gallery, the publishing of 6 annual Crafts Contacts newsletters, the popular annual craft exhibitions, Made by Hand, co-sponsored the Craft Market at Vancouver East Cultural Center (a precursor to the East Side Crawl), and very importantly Gail made sure BC craft was showcased at Expo ’86.
Gail worked hard to get support for the promotion of crafts within the broader community. She was a pragmatic dynamo, radiating positive energy. During her 17-year tenure as ED of the CABC she vastly enhanced the profile and status of crafts in BC, and as a craftsperson, among many, I/we owe Gail an enormous debt of gratitude for her vision and dedication.
Gail relinquished her position as ED in 1990, and many years passed before the crafts community could once again rely on an equally dedicated ED, our Raine McKay, who has now been working steadfastly at CCBC for 15 years, overseeing many ambitious projects and advocating for craft across Canada, and who is another person we owe an enormous debt of gratitude.
Debra Sloan, November 2023
tributes to gail rogers
Ron Kong, is a well- known curator who has worked extensively within the craft community. Ron worked closely with Gail and became her lifelong friend. He managed Crafthouse shop and gallery from 1985 to 1993, was a curator for Canadian Craft Museum from 1993-2001. He was shop manager at Circle Craft Co-op from 2001 until 2012. He also served as a consultant for Surrey Art Gallery and presently he is consultant for the BC Achievement Foundation.
I first met Gail when I applied for the manager’s position for the proposed craft shop at Expo ‘86, a collaboration between the CCBC and Circle Craft.
I was disappointed when she called me a week or so later to thank me for my application and inform me the post had been filled.
To my surprise, a few days later, I received a second call from her asking me if I would consider meeting with her again to discuss another project. I was willing and soon after, Gail hired me as the manager of Crafthouse. Work became pleasure as I found my place with Gail, members, and the BOD.
It was an exciting time; new location, office, resource centre and a gallery/shop. It was great fun working with Gail. She was kind, inclusive, and respectful – we became friends from the start and her support and encouragement would be given with her friendship for years to come.
She had a ‘good eye’ and was keenly interested in people. Her curiosity left few stones unturned as she connected us, and recognized and facilitated many opportunities for the organization, the membership, and visitors to Crafthouse.
Her enthusiasm, commitment, and joy rubbed off on me and many others. She was a friend and co-worker, had a great sense of humour and could laugh at herself and laugh with others.
She would sweep the carpet with the same determination as when she dealt with her more pressing responsibilities as ED. My workday typically ended with a warm smile from her. I valued her clear thinking and forthcomingness and her inclusiveness and respect continue to encourage me.
Gail was kind and creative, a gardener and a thinker. She was dedicated to craftspeople, their community, and the work they made, and I believe she thought we could all contribute, even in small ways, to making the world a better place.
Thank you Gail,
XOX – R
Jan Snow is a craftsperson who worked with Gail and at Circle Craft Co-op, and Gail’s niece.
How lucky was I to work with Gail! I joined her at the CABC in the early 80’s while I was at Capilano College enrolled in the craft program. I was Gail’s “assistant” in the shared space of CABC and Cartwright Street Gallery. This is my image of Gail: arriving at 1411 Cartwright Street in her car – a green hardtop ‘Cougar’, typing at warp speed, smoking constantly and waving her hands around to dispel the smoke, always vacuuming, her extensive knowledge of all the local craftspeople, her sincere relationships with all those craftspeople. She was a mentor to many including me. I give Gail credit for my love and appreciation of craft. What I treasure so much to this day is our friendship which started at CABC and lasted far beyond. I can’t help but think of Gail every time I pick up one of my favourite bowls bought back in the 80s when I worked with her. Thanks Gail!
Our deep sympathies are extended to Gail’s family, close friends, and to the community, who will dearly miss her good humour, positivity, and dynamism.
