“Prairie Night Sky II” is now part of the “Collection of Global Affairs Canada”…
…and I have the official word that we (the artists whose work was selected during the submission process can share the great news…
How did this happen? I am still reeling from the whirlwind experience but will try to share my story with you. Let’s see:
It all started on February 15th. I received a special email from the Saskatchewan Craft Council asking me if I had any larger works that might be included in a selection of works from the prairies. Apparently, Global Affairs Canada felt that artists from the Canadian Prairies are under-represented in the collection of art works that adorn the Canadian Embassies around the world. The reason I briefly hesitated before I said “yes” was that my studio is pretty much all packed up in anticipation of the move we had planned last year before the sale of our property fell through. But that is is a whole different story!
Of course I said yes to the inviation to submit, especially since somehow the artists were pre-selected. One does not pass on such a great opportunity, no matter how small the chance mighy be to make the final cut.
It took a singificant amount of shifting of boxes to clear space on the design wall to create up-to-date photographs of the four pieces I selected for this submission. The Family Day long weekend was spent getting the images ready, sizing them to the specifications sent by the SK Craft Council, updating my CV, reviewing my bio, composing a new statement for the selection of works and creating detailed descriptions of each piece.
I uploaded the information to Dropbox and settled in for the long wait… that wasn’t long at all. Two weeks later, it had been a snowy weekend, I received the phone call that “Prairie Night Sky II” was selected to go to Ottawa to a final jury session at the National Gallery where the curator and representatives from Global Affairs Canada would view the pieces and reach a final decision that may or may not lead to a purchase. Well, once our community was cleared of the snow and we could make it out I didn’t take any chances and delivered the piece in person to the SK Craft Council. Thank goodness, it appeeared I made it to Saskatoon in time to go on the truck to Ottawa at the beginning of the following week.
Cautious words from the ED reminded me that not all works will be selected but “it is always good to have one’s work seen by the curator of the National Gallery…”. I was prepared to return in early April to pick up my tighly rolled textile art piece with the knowledge that the curator of the National Gallery had laid eyes on my work. I know, I sound a bit cynical but I want to mention that I have been through other jury selections where my work did not make the final selection, however none as momentous as this one! I knew I would be OK either way.
Imagine my surprise when a couple of weeks ago I received the official email from the Saskatchewan Craft Council that my piece was selected for purchase by Global Affairs Canada! Attached to the email was a concise and easy to fill in contract that asked for my signature to finalize the process. I had to send three copies to the liaison at Global Affairs and was asked to keep the news quiet for now until all contracts had been returned.
Today I received word that “the cheque is in the mail” and that it was now time to go ahead and share our great news via social media. It’s exciting to know that one’s work is going to travel to places that I will never get to.
Here is what was shared in today’s email: “Global Affairs asks that artists use the credit “Collection of Global Affairs Canada”. The reason for this is that it may take a few months for the piece to find a home in one of the Embassies, Consulate Generals or Official Residences abroad. Pieces also tend to move every 5-10 years or so, so a general credit is the best recommendation to keep things current on an artist C.V.”
Celebrate with me! Enjoy your favourite cuppa or glass of vino… Have a great weekend, everyone!
Anna Hergert, Art & Design 
Congratulations, Anna! How thrilling! (For you and me, too!) And exciting! Do hope you can move into a new studio soon and get back to creating your amazing fabric art again.
Gillian
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Thanks, Gillian! It is thrilling, especially since I found out today that mine was the only fibre art piece that was selected!
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Awesome news, Anna. Congratulations. I am very excited for you!
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Thanks, Susan! It is exciting – mine was the only textile piece selected and I am telling all the people who own one or more of my work that the collector’s value has just gone up… 😉
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Congratulations, great day!
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Thank you, Kathie!
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Well Anna this such wonderful news for all of us here in sask. You have always put us on the map But this takes the cake. We love ya. Leona
Love ya. Leona
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Thank you, Leona!
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Congratulations. Well deserved.
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Thanks, Katine! Very exciting!
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What wonderful news!!!!!So exciting to have your beautiful piece on display in an embassy or other official spot, representing Canada.
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Thank you so much, Alice! Always nice to hear from you!
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Well done Anna.
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Thank you, Janet! So nice to get your note!
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I add my warm accolades to all the others that you have so quickly received Anna. This is surely the best AFFIRMATION of the imagination, talent, skills, diligence, perseverance, and sense of purpose that mark you as an accomplished Canadian textile artist. What great news that your beautiful creation will hang in a Canadian embassy or consulate for so many to see. How good that the importance and worthiness of Canadian textile art and textile artists is being recognized in this way, and that you and your “Prairie Night Sky” are among them!
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Thank you, Judith. Yes, being recognized on a national and international level is always great.
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Oh Anna, What a fantastic honour. I am bursting with excitement for you. You have worked so hard to get to this place and you certainly deserve it. Congratulations.
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Thanks, Carole – I have not worked hard lately which makes this achievement all the more special.
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What an honour! Congratulations Anna, your work is awe inspiring.
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Thank you, Lynn! An honour indeed!
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Congratulations Anna. A well-deserved honour.
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Thanks, Cathy!
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Anna, Congratulations!. My whole body is just vibrating with joy and excitement for you as I read this. What a wonderful honour for a wonderful artist.
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Thank you so much, Elinor. It is wonderful to have fine craft recognized!
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Congratulations Anna. You do such great work. Your wonderful piece will honor prairie artists with pride.
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Thank you so much for the note, Dianne!
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Hi Anna,
Indeed it is an honour, and well deserved by you. Congratulations!
Cheers,
Emilie
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Thank you, Emilie! It was a wonderful surprise!
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That’s FABULOUS, Anna!!! Congratulations! Wonderful achievement! And a most intriguing piece!
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Thank you so much, Minnie! Let’s raise a glass to each other when we meet up at the end of June!
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such a well-deserved honor, Anna! and, what a beautiful piece of art! congratulations!
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Thank you, Laurie!
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Congratulations!!! It is a beautiful piece, and your work represents some of the best Canada has to offer. Good on ya!
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Thank you, Judy!
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What a great event!! Congratulations!!!
On Fri, Apr 27, 2018 at 8:38 PM, Anna Hergert, Art & Design wrote:
> annahergert posted: ” “Prairie Night Sky II” is now part of the > “Collection of Global Affairs Canada”… …and I have the official word > that we (the artists whose work was selected during the submission process > can share the great news… How did this happen? I am still r” >
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Congratulations! Such great news – I’m so happy for you!
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Thank you, Nelly!
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Cheers Anna! What an experience!
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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Congratulations Anna.You make Canada Proud
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Thank you, Hilda! I appreciate your note!
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Congratulations Anna🎉🎉. Such a well deserved honour😊
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Thanks so much, Shelley!
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Congratulations. Your piece looks wonderful and how exciting to have it displayed all over the world. A great honour to be sure.
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Thank you, Juliet! I can’t even imagine where the piece will travel to and be exhibited!
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Congratulations Anna! Well deserved!
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Thanks so much, Jackie!
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Huge congratulations to you Anna. So well deserved!!!!
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Thank you, Kristi! It was very exciting to receive the great news!
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Many congrats Anna. It is such an honour and so well deserved.
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Thank you so much, Eileen!
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Congratulations Anna. That is wonderful.
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Thank you, Sandra!
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Congratulations Anna! What exciting news!
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Thank you so much, Wendy! It is completely unexpected but I am so happy that textile art was included in the selection of art works!
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Congratulations Anna! Well deserved!
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Thank you so much, Maria!
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Congratulations Anna! Doesn’t surprise me a bit 😉 Art is so important to life and recognition, sweet! I LOVE the piece 👏🏻
A funny note….watching Jeopardy the other day. Final Jeopardy Question: which province joined the nation in 1871, providing 2 coastlines in Canada (wording to that effect). Someone actually wrote SASKATCHEWAN!
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Thanks for the note, Denise!
What a hoot… What amazes me is that they actually knew the province’s name! We used to get the blank stare when gas station attendants looked at our license plate! The standard question was “Where’s that at?” or “Which state are you from?” 😉
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Congratulations Anna! Such exciting news and a well-deserved honour! I’m so happy for you. Cheers, Georgette
On Fri, Apr 27, 2018, 9:38 PM Anna Hergert, Art & Design, wrote:
> annahergert posted: ” “Prairie Night Sky II” is now part of the > “Collection of Global Affairs Canada”… …and I have the official word > that we (the artists whose work was selected during the submission process > can share the great news… How did this happen? I am still r” >
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Thank you so much for your note, Georgette!
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Congratulations Anna. What an honour and so deserving.
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Thanks so much, Ann!
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Congratulations Anna! This is an honour that you deserve!
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Thank you, Linda. A complete surprise and very special.
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Congratulations on an excellent and exciting achievement!!!
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Thank you, Carole! Very exciting!
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Congratulations Anna!! so very thrilled for you… this is a very deserving accomplishment!
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Thanks so much, Debbie! I was honoured to be asked to submit – the purchase is a nice bonus!
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Congratulations Anna. What an incredible honour.
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Thank you, Wendy! Yes, I agree – an incredible honour!
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