Provincial Government Congratulates Regional Craft Award Winners

February 11, 2025

This year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence recognized several Newfoundland and Labrador entrepreneurs with prestigious awards. The 28th annual awards were presented at an event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, during Craft East Buyers’ Expo on February 8, 2025.

An Inuk artist from Rigolet on Labrador’s North Coast, April Allen, was awarded the Industry Leader Award. Through her company, Stitched by April, she brings together traditional materials such as sealskin, leather, and fur, and blends them with modern design elements to reflect the strength and resilience of Inuit culture.

Ms. Allen’s designs have been shown at major runway fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan, as well as at Indigenous art festivals and cultural events across Canada. Her Inuit doll collection was permanently added to the Provincial Art Bank at The Rooms. She strives to inspire young Indigenous artists to use their own backgrounds and experiences in their creations and uses her platform for advocacy for meaningful causes.

East Coast Quilt co received the award for Outstanding Retailer. Entrepreneurs and lovers of cloth, Debbie Northover and Read Bowen, came together in 2019 to offer services to the local quilt community.

The business has grown into a thriving destination for makers of craft, offering fabrics, classes, tools and services as well as finished products. They work and collaborate with local designers and makers to provide quality products and services that showcase the province. Their space in downtown St. John’s offers opportunities for workshops for all ages and have provided new revenue streams for working makers, providing customers with a new way to support locally made products.

Newbornlander Baby Store Inc. received the award for Outstanding Exporter. Constanza Safatle, originally from Chile, is founder and owner of Newbornlander, a social enterprise that offers baby accessories with a mission to create opportunities and support newcomer women.

Starting in 2017, Ms. Safatle designed and made all Newbornlander products herself, while caring for her own newborn. She sold her work at local markets and has since expanded to Atlantic Canda and beyond. Through a variety of channels, such as an online store, direct retail and wholesale, Newbornlander has seven employees, and the product line is wholesaled across Canada. Through strategic developments, such as trade shows and appearing on the national television show Dragons’ Den, Ms. Safatle was also the 2023 winner of Tales of Triumph, a prestigious national award with Canada Post, which led to an increase in export sales.

Recognizing the importance of celebrating the artistic and economic achievements of the craft community, the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Awards Committee meets throughout the year to ensure Newfoundland and Labrador craft makers, fine craft artists and craft retailers are recognized for their exceptional work.

The Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence are presented annually in conjunction with the Craft East Buyers’ Expo, which showcases craft and giftware made exclusively in the Atlantic Provinces.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be a leader in traditional and contemporary crafts. Congratulations to April Allen, East Coast Quilt co and Newbornlander for their recognition at this year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence. We recognize the value of the craftspeople from this province and we are happy to continue to support their creative initiatives as they grow their businesses and have a positive impact on the local economy.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology

“Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence, with a special shout-out to Newfoundland and Labrador’s own, Stitched by April, East Coast Quilt co and Newbornlander. Our province is filled with incredibly creative artisans whose work enriches the vibrancy and heritage of our communities. These talented craftspeople continue to inspire and showcase the rich cultural fabric of our province.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

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Learn More
Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Industry Strategy 2023-2025

April Allen – Stitched By April

East Coast Quilt co

Newbornlander
2025 02 11

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