airCRAFT Residents
airCRAFT - 9 Month Career Development Emerging Artist Residency
Our one-of-a-kind craft dedicated residency strives to support emerging artists taking the next steps in their careers. Through a 9-month residency the Centre will work with each resident one-on-one to individualize and tailor the program to suit their particular objectives for their art careers.
- 2019-20 airCRAFT Residents
- 2018-19 airCRAFT Residents
- 2017-18 airCRAFT Residents
- 2016-17 airCRAFT Residents
2019-20 airCRAFT Residents:
Jessie Fraser
Born in Calgary Jessie Fraser is a craft oriented visual artist working predominantly in the medium of fibre. Her practice considers how imagery, poetry and hand-woven cloth may be combined, to investigate the affective potential of woven cloth and text in site-sensitive installations. Fraser completed an MFA in 2019 at the Alberta University of the Arts in Craft Media. She has exhibited work in a number of venues throughout Calgary, including group shows at Viviane Gallery and Stride Gallery. Image, text and textiles, along with photographic and weaving processes are used as sites of intuitive and emotional investigation. Using time as both a process and a material Jessie’s practice is the process of weaving. She weaves not only with thread but historic narratives and atmospheric feeling.
Trevor Novak
Trevor Novak grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and now lives in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He received an Advanced Diploma in Ceramics from Sheridan College in Oakville Ontario and has just recently finished his BFA in Ceramics at NSCAD University, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Trevor is currently the artist in residence at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design.
Trevor is interested in narrative and myth and enjoys bringing stories to life with human and animal figures. Trevor’s sculptures, though often humorous on first glance hold deeper darker meanings when considered further.
2018-19 airCRAFT Residents:
Julian Covey
Julian Covey, was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia and lived in Montreal, Quebec must of his life. Covey extremely passionate about ceramic art and its ability to record and communicate complex ideas through a material culture. He now is a Halifax based ceramic artist, where his work is a balance of sculptural and utilitarian ceramic. Completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts at NSCAD University in 2018, he recently finished a semester abroad at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Covey teaches ceramic classes with the NSCAD School of Extended Studies and the Center for Craft Nova Scotia.
He has been the recipient of several awards at NSCAD University including, the World Encounter Scholarship, the Walter Ostrom Scholarship for Ceramics, the Kevin and Karen Lynch Scholarship for Ceramics, the MacAdam Trust Scholarship, the Alexander J. McDonald Memorial Award, and his nomination for the 2018 Starfish Art Awards.
"My use of pattern and polyhedral configurations stem from my longstanding interest in science, mathematics, and the philosophy of sacred geometry. The high-gloss surfaces of my wares celebrate colour and sensuality and are an expression of my queer identity. Working with moulds has given me the freedom to explore shapes, forms, and styles that diverge from traditional wheel-thrown pottery. Working in this way provides an enormous amount of control, precision to my process, while it nurtures my inner designer without having to sacrifice the gratifying tactile experience of using clay." - Julian Covey
Athanasia Vayianou
Athanasia Vayianou, was born in Limassol, Cyprus. The island’s politically charged history had an impact on everyone growing up there, her response was to develop an awareness and appreciation for family, history, and nature. Having access to art classes and creative studies all throughout her secondary schooling, it became a way of expressing herself. Moving to Canada and enrolling at NSCAD University, Vayianous discovered her love of Art and History and a passion for Metalsmithing. She graduated in 2017 with a BFA majoring in Jewellery Design and Metalsmithing and is currently a resident in the airCRAFT residency at the Centre for Craft.
"I have always had an interest in space and fantasy. I spent much of my childhood stargazing while listening to bedtime stories of space explorers, foreign planets, and an age of discovery in the stars. I create jewellery pieces echoing these childhood roots and memories. Blending geometry and abstraction with silver, enamel, and unique gemstones, I make functional and beautiful pieces of jewellery. The pieces strive to engage the viewer and wearer into looking closer, stimulating a sense of discovery within the piece itself." - Athanasia Vayianou
2017-18 airCRAFT Residents:
KAAS (KAASHIF) GHANIE


2016-17 airCRAFT Residents:


