| ARTIST BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | More than just form and material, creation is an emotional experience for Edmonton silversmith, Karen Cantine. Her pieces, which include vessels of all kinds, flatware, tools and jewellery, are functional, beautiful and are personal expressions of discovery and spirit.
Karen began taking metalwork and jewellery classes in her hometown of Cambridge Massachusetts when she was just twelve years old. She has since earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1963 and a Master of Arts in 1965, both in Metalwork, from the University of Iowa and attended the School for American Craftsmen in Rochester, New York. After relocating to Edmonton in 1965, Karen has continued to perfect her craft and pass on her knowledge to other aspiring artists and hobbyists through teaching from her own studio and at the Alberta College of Art + Design, Red Deer College, Fairview College and the University of Alberta.
Karen has also worked closely with the non-profit organization Skills Canada’s Team Alberta, and Culinary Team Canada, as they compete in culinary competitions around the world. Since 1996, she has crafted hollowware and flatware pieces the teams have used in competition. Karen continues to be involved in a variety of fundraising and community service activities and has received several commissions from clients and organizations in Canada and the United States. Her works has been exhibited publicly throughout Canada, the United States, and in South Korea. Karen has also received the Amethyst Award for Excellence from the Alberta Craft Council.
Karen’s work is held in private collections and in the collections of the University of Iowa, the Massey Foundation Collection of Canadian Craft, the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Chieftain International, and Culinary Team Alberta. Karen was inducted into Edmonton’s Cultural Hall of Fame in 2005 and into the Royal Academy of Arts in 2014.
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