Anastasia Radevich, Winner of the 2015 François-Houdé Award

The 2015 François-Houdé Award has been given to Anastasia Radevich, Textiles and Leather – artisan shoemaker and sculptor. Anastasia is a graduate of LaSalle College’s International School of Fashion, Arts and Design. 

“Already exhibiting remarkable maturity and technical mastery, Anastasia has used a variety of materials to create a blend of harmony and sophistication,” noted the jury. 

An exhibition of the finalists’ works is on display until January 31, 2016 at the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec. In addition, the city of Montréal will acquire various works and objects chosen from among the finalists’ creations. 

The award ceremony took place on November 19th at the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec during the opening exhibition of the finalists’ works for the 2015 competition.

About Anastasia Radevich 

A Belarus native, she lives and creates in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. After earning a degree in footwear design, she spent a few years to further develop her knowledge of the technical design and art of shoemaking with creative masters such as Alexander McQueen and Nicholas Kirkwood. 

In the process of learning her craft, Anastasia also explored free expression and creation, which are not often the focus of our predominantly profit-driven society. This is what made her decide to challenge herself to go beyond footwear design and become an artist whose main medium would be footwear. Footwear is the canvas on which Anastasia combines art, manual work and technology to convey a message or story, or to make a statement. She transforms her inner self, her inspiration and her energy into a sculpture of a pump, an open-toe shoe or a boot. 

Anastasia’s mantra: remain true to oneself and let the energy of one’s heart be the source of creation. 

About the 2015 François-Houdé Award 

In 1996, the city of Montréal, in conjunction with the Conseil des métiers d'art du Québec, created the François-Houdé Award to promote excellence in the creation of arts and crafts in Montreal and to showcase the works of young artisans. Intended for young professional artisans, the award recognizes the remarkable workmanship of their creations, their original contribution to the practice of a craft involving the use of wood, leather, textiles, metals, glass, ceramic, paper, or any other material, as well as their mastery of the exploratory techniques specific to their discipline. 

The award includes:

• a $5,000 grant offered to the award winner;
• an exhibition featuring the works of the award winner and the finalists;
• the acquisition by the city of Montreal of works or objects chosen from among the finalists’ creations.