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“Our government is committed to supporting the Island’s craft sector – a sector that is found in each village and town across the province from North Cape to East Point,” said Premier Ghiz. “The Provincial Exhibition is an exceptional platform to highlight crafters from across the province and the stories they tell through quality handcrafts and art displays.”

Since 1924, the Women’s Institute of Prince Edward Island (PEIWI) has played an integral part in Old Home Week. The PEIWI Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Show is an annual competition of arts and crafts submitted from Island artisans. The entries have been on display for the past week at the Provincial Exhibition grounds in Charlottetown.

The exhibit displays a wide range of artistic mediums, ranging from unique pieces of photography and needlework, to food and flower arrangements. Through Innovation PEI, the province provides $4,000 for special prizes, including the exhibitors who accumulate the most points in handcrafts; food; flowers; the best painting or drawing in any medium; best quilt; best rug; best afghan; and the grand prize of the Premier’s Craft Education Award.

The Premier’s Craft Education Award was established in 2005 to enhance skill and proficiency in a chosen craft and to share experience with others. The $3,000 prize is used to fund training to further develop the winning crafter’s skills and further develop the chosen craft on Prince Edward Island. This year’s winner of the Premier’s Craft Education Award was Sue Anne Jay.

“The PEIWI Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Show is a celebration of our Island culture,” said Innovation and Advance Learning Minister Allen F. Roach. “It is my hope that by annually supporting this show, we are encouraging more Islanders to pursue these types of careers, which will help build our economy and cultural awareness. The craft industry adds unique value to our tourism and cultural industries while sustaining our unique heritage.”

“We are extremely pleased with this year’s show,” said PEIWI President Cynthia Mitchell. “For 2013 we added a number of new competition sections to celebrate PEIWI’s centennial year. In total, we had approximately 200 exhibitors take part with close to 1,800 entries. The Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Show is a historical event in its 89th year and is a great opportunity to encourage people of all ages to try out different forms of craft.”

The list of the overall winners from the 2013 Prince Edward Island WI Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Show will be available at www.peiwi.ca.

Innovation PEI supports the Island craft sector through a variety of programs and services, including the Craft Development Program. Innovation PEI is also involved in various events that are important to craft sector development, such as the PEI Small Business Week, the Studio Tour, and numerous craft workshops and fairs.

For more information on Innovation PEI programs, visit www.innovationpei.com or call 1-800-563-3734.