OUR PHILOSOPHY: BUY CANADIAN - SUPPORT ARTISTS - HEAL & INSPIRE
Over 30 years ago, Cornerstone began when a group of local artistis banded together to create a showcase for their work. Independantly owned now, Cornerstone Canadian Art & Craft believes in Canadian artists and is proud to be able to tell patrons that "Everything in the shop is made in Canada". Visitors and locals alike are delighted by and depend on this when searching for that "special" gift for giving or receiving! All gifts are beautifully hand packaged and include information about the artist of the piece, ensuring that the lucky recipient knows that you have chosen a Canadian made gift. Cornerstone staff will go the extra mile and assist in shipping should the intended recipient live out of town.
The works that are displayed at Cornerstone represent local artisans as well as crafters from across this great country. Powerful energies and communities are formed when our patrons and Canada's richly talented artisans come together. Positive and inspiring diaogues are initiated, stories and histories are exchanged, lifestyles and communities are supported. Cornerstone Canadian Art & Craft is honoured to be a part of this.
We hope that you are inspired when you visit us-we believe that everyone is creative and the joy of expression comes in many different forms. We hope that you listen to that, "little inner voice" and whether it's through experimentation (you take a class) or appreciation ( you choose a piece of art to take home), you experience the joy that comes from participation.
"You will have to experiment and try things out for yourself and you will not be sure of what you are doing. That's all right, you are feeling your way into the thing." Emily Carr
Penny Knapp - Owner
I was born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario. I was always designing things to make (or have my parents make) from a very young age. I have been an orthodontic dental hygienist for over 34 years and when I was in my thirties, I went back to school and got my Interior Design certificate.
I have volunteered with Azure magazine and worked as the assistant design editor at Style At Home magazine. I gained retail experience working at Design House in Burlington, Ontario over several summers while I was going to school and working in the dental field.
After taking many art classes at a gallery in Port Perry, Ontario (Meta4), I decided that I wanted my own place where I could spread the love of art and craft and work with people who were creative and expressive on a daily basis.
I personally enjoy photography and I have recently become a CZT (Certified Zentangle® Teacher). I once let someone tell me I wasn’t creative - someone who had no idea who I was or what I was capable of doing and I let that person’s judgment affect my life.
I want to encourage everyone who comes into Cornerstone that they are creative and that the joy comes not from being “famous” or “well known” but from the expression of self.
Lisa Scales - Manager
I have been with Cornerstone for over a decade now! I enjoy being part of an organization that strives to find beautiful, inspirational works from all over our amazing country. I have always considered it a job perk to be part of the team that gets to see the artists’ works before they go on display!
Art has always been an integral part of my life. As the full-time Manager of Cornerstone – Canadian Art & Craft, I am able to combine my love of art and my knack for numbers/data organization.
The future of Cornerstone is exciting! I am thrilled to be working with Penny to grow Cornerstone and continue to support Canadian Artists. I love being able to say to our customers, everything in the shop is made in Canada, and I am often overwhelmed by how much people appreciate this!
Living and working in beautiful downtown Kingston, I thoroughly enjoy the community and the historic nature of the city. You may see me walking or cycling through the downtown core or along the waterfront to the historic Macaulay house (circa 1830), home to the Cornerstone family.
I look forward to seeing you at “the little art shop on the corner”.
Lynn Eade - Customer Service
The road to happiness isn’t predictable and really is an endless adventure; and sometimes it seems impossible! After many years of work in helping people through life’s struggles, I was looking for joyful, rewarding work with great people. I was thrilled to join the team at Cornerstone, where I am surrounded by ever-changing, beautiful, fascinating objet’s d’art and people.
When I’m not playing music, off sailing our region’s beautiful Thousand Islands, or exploring onshore in my Volkswagen camper bus, I love to be right here, in the hub of my hometown. I look forward to greeting you at Cornerstone!