American Craft Week

The annual American Craft Week celebration, which will be held October 7-16, 2011, will bring together individuals, small businesses and organizations from all fifty states in recognition of the countless ways handmade objects enrich our daily lives and contribute to our national aesthetic and economy. There are almost as many American craft forms as there are practitioners, with everything from glassblowing to custom jewelry to sculpture to painting to fabric design to quilting to basketry among the host of choices.

All 50 states were represented in 2010 when North Carolina had more participants than any other state. North Carolina  is expected to come in first this year as well. The Wilmington area will feature several special events, giving participants a chance to see for themselves the quality and diversity of the work that is produced right here.

Three merchants located at The Cotton Exchange in Historic Downtown Wilmington will showcase their specialties during the event.

Crescent Moon has a fabulous selection of hand-crafted glass and metal art pieces and carries more than 70 artist’s works in blown, fused, stained and porcelain glass styles. This would be a perfect time to make that special selection since Crescent Moon recently added a new service – they will beautifully wrap and hand deliver gifts within the Wilmington area.

Port City Pottery & Fine Crafts is dedicated exclusively to handmade, one-of-a-kind, three-dimensional works of art. Pottery, fiber art, basketry, woodworking, jewelry and mixed media sculpture are found in the shop presented by jury-selected coastal North Carolina artisans. One-of-a-kind handbags are also featured in this store that is filled with beautiful hand-crafted items. There will be daily craft demonstrations by gallery artists 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during American Craft Week.

The Golden Gallery features the works of Mary Ellen Golden, a water colorist; John W. Golden, son of the owners, a photographer with a large catalog of images of the Cape Fear region, and Melissa Manley, a metalsmith and honorary Golden. If you’re curious about enameling, or jewelry making in general,  visit the Golden Gallery on October 8 from 10:30 to 4:00 when Ms. Manley will demonstrate enameling on copper, showing how she torchfires enamel, which is powdered glass, onto metal surfaces for jewelry. She teaches metalsmithing at Cape Fear Community College, as well as at retreats and conferences around the country.

A large number of events will take place at Spectrum Art & Jewelry, a shop located in the Forum that offers dazzling jewelry, original art and memorable gifts. More than 100 select American artists are represented there. On October 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., there will be hands-on silk painting and batik crafts led by artist Kristin Gibson and painting with Ann Hair. A Plein Air Painting Workshop will be held at Wrightsville Beach on October 12 and 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with artist Mike Rooney, who also will conduct a painting demonstration in the gallery on October 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Glass bead making with Sarah James and Keum Boo Jewelry making with Arlene Weinrich will be the crafts demonstrated at the gallery on October 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Contests Offered

Two national contests are being held in conjunction with American Craft Week. An Essay Contest will feature two topics, with a $250 certificate to the American Craft Week participant of the winner’s choice awarded to each victor.

The first topic should focus on the cultural roots of American craft. Many forms of American craft have their roots in one of the multitude of ethnic groups that make up the rich cultural life of the U.S.today, or in a particular period of our country’s history. Talk about one of these that has particular meaning to you, and tell us its”story.” (An example is sweet grass baskets and their roots in African slave groups, and their agricultural use in early America.)

The second topic explores the importance of craft in contemporary American society. Making, buying, collecting and learning about American craft is “hot” now for many reasons. Why? Trends such as eco-awareness, reactions against the flood of cheap imported goods, recognition of the importance of buying locally, a desire to use one’s hands in this digital age are all some examples of what is driving are newed interest in American craft. What do you think the reasons are for American craft’s resurgence today? What do you think means for the future of American craft?

There also will be a Photo Contest in 2011. Your task will be to show your view of American craft today – at home, in the studio, or on your vacation. Send up to five photos that reflect your connectedness to American Craft in your home setting, in a craft studio, or on a trip to a craft destination. We would love to see American Craft from your eyes! Entries must be submitted by Oct. 21, 2011. Voting ends at midnight, Nov. 15. Winners will be announced by Dec. 15 and be featured on the American Craft Week web page and with press releases about the contest.

Two awards will be given – a $150 gift certificate to your favorite American Craft Week participant for best photo, judged by an ACW panel; and a $150 gift certificate to your favorite American Craft Week participant for the Peoples’ Choice of best photo. Each photo entry is eligible for both prizes. Details of how to enter these contests are available at www.americancraftweek.com.