The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today congratulated entrepreneurs from Newfoundland and Labrador who received awards at the 2023 Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence. This year’s awards were presented at an event in Halifax during Craft East Buyers’ Expo on February 11.
Christina Dove of the Newfoundland Chocolate Company received the 2023 Atlantic Canada Craft Award for Outstanding Exporter. Over 15 years, the Newfoundland Chocolate Company has evolved and grown from four wholesale accounts in St. John’s to shipping product to 100 wholesale accounts across the country, while managing seven retail outlets. During the pandemic, the business quickly pivoted to build a stronger online presence, creating new products such as the ‘Stay Home with Chocolate Kit’ and the ‘Emergency Chocolate Kit’. The Newfoundland Chocolate Company’s main storefront is located in St. John’s, and includes a café, outdoor deck and production facility.
Premium handbag and leather goods studio modjūl is the recipient of the 2023 Atlantic Canada Craft Award for Excellence in Product Design. With a background in engineering, and an appreciation for Japanese craft, designer Stephen Brown uses both traditional and innovative leatherwork techniques to create distinctive styles. Brown’s signature technique focuses on interlocking or woven joinery adapted from shoemaking, giving modjūl products a distinct and original look, while staying true to a more classic design. Using vegetable-tanned cow leather ensures that modjūl’s products are made to withstand the test of time.
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
“Congratulations to Christina Dove and the team at the Newfoundland Chocolate Company, as well as Stephen Brown of modjūl for their success at this year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence. I continue to be impressed by the creativity of our province’s craft producers, and we’re proud to support their work as they build, grow and develop their business operations.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“Christina Dove and Stephen Brown are two shining examples of the innovative and resilient entrepreneurs who are part of the craft community in Newfoundland and Labrador. I congratulate them on their success at this year’s Atlantic Canada Craft Awards for Excellence.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
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Learn more
Crafting Our Future – Craft Industry Strategy 2018-2021
Newfoundland Chocolate Company
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