2012 Craft Show

Artist Spotlight: Dan Mirer

May 13, 2013

Dan Mirer, glass artist, started working in glass at the age of 16 and honed his skills by studying at Rochester Institute of Technology, Alfred University, and the Pukeberg School of Design, Sweden. His work has a signature style that reflects his strengths in craftsmanship and technical innovation. “I incorporate innovative and traditional glassmaking techniques to realize my designs. Many of the pieces require extensive processing,” explains Dan. The resulting work is elegantly shaped vessels that are both functional and decorative.

By Dan Mirer

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Home & Design Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, art glass, furniture design, glass, handmade, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show

Artist Spotlight: Wendy Stevens

May 3, 2013

By Wendy Stevens

Wendy Stevens is a metal artist, recognized at the 2012 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show with the Eric Berg Prize For Excellence In Metal.

She began designing handbags in 1983 in New York City, where an inner artistic potential was triggered by the variety and use of industrial materials that surrounded her daily life in the city. Her ideas were transformed into designs for durable metal handbags in a variety of sizes, shapes and metals. Working intuitively, in an environment of artistic friends, she began to create an original, unique style, resulting in a modern, durable and versatile accessory.

All handbags are made of stainless steel with leather and metal components and are hand fabricated and assembled in a recently refurbished production facility outside of Philadelphia. The use of stainless steel as the primary material has been effective in the strength, form and longevity of the product. When paired with the leather elements, the handbags become user friendly and ultra functional. Maintaining quality and precision in the fabrication of each piece is crucial.

She continues to push the boundaries of working in this medium. We look forward to seeing more of her designs.

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Fashion, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, accessory, fashion, fine metals, metal, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show

Artist Spotlight: Christy Klug

April 26, 2013

Christy Klug | Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show 2012

Christy Klug is a jeweler….
“My work is a bridge between art and craft. It is an exploration of line. The black lines on white enamel resemble charcoal on paper and the combination of these drawings and fabricated forms bring art and craft together.” explains the artist.Inspired by the sumptuousness of 17th century Dutch still lifes, the color sensibility of fashion photographer Chen Man, the line work of Sol Lewitt, Brice Marden and Cy Twombly and post-World War II German stained glass, she creates by hand, in her studio, small quantities of finely-crafted pieces that are intimate, honest and feminine.

“The act of creation is intensely personal for me, ” says Klug, “and my work evolves as I do. I work to create pieces that become more interesting the longer you live with them—pieces that are compelling but feel subtle and special.”Empowered by the philosophy that we all need and long for something that is beautiful, she strives to complement the technical discipline required to create each piece with a strong aesthetic that embodies a contemporary grace.

“There is an enigmatic beauty in things that have been made by hand with an intimate knowledge of materials, but always with the personal passion of an artist.” She concludes: “My goal is to create work that will stand the test of time for the confident woman.”

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, Craft Artists Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, craft artists, metal

Artist Spotlight: Mark Nantz

April 3, 2013

Mark Nantz at the 2012 Craft Show

Mark Nantz is an artist who constructs wood vessels using materials that have unusual and dynamic visual characteristics. He then encases the vessel, or integrates it, with materials such as ebony or precious metals to create an exquisite containers that are an aesthetic delight. Mark received the Wharton Esherick Museum Prize For Excellence In Wood at the 2012 Craft Show.

“With every piece I make, my goal is for it to be clearly identifiable as my own and flawlessly executed”, explains Mark. “What inspires me most are ancient artifacts, architecture and industrial components. Repetition in design always gets my attention, such as the teeth on a gear or sprocket, the scales on a fish, or facets on a crystal”.

Work by Mark Nantz

His most recent series of works is titled “Artifact Series”. Commenting on his process and inspiration, Mark stated, “I find it greatly rewarding to successfully complete a challenging piece and to be consumed in the process of creating my work. My most recent works suggest they may have been exhumed from the ruins of an ancient civilization, or possibly made by an ancient craftsman to glorify his Gods or King”.

Mark’s detailed, precise approach to woodworking and his skill in combining multiple elements in a single vessel results in modern wood art that maintains its timeless form and function.

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Home & Design, Inspiration Interviews Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, furniture, furniture design, philadelphia museum of art, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show, wood, woodturning, woodworking

Artist Spotlight: Maria Eife

March 26, 2013

Maria Eife, far right

Maria Eife, a jewelry maker, exhibited for the first time at the 2012 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, as part of the Emerging Artists category. This category is designed to encourage the participation of craft artists who are beginning their careers.

Cage Bangle by Maria Eife

Maria mixes traditional jewelry methods with modern inputs from computer programs such as Rhino and Adobe Illustrator to create fresh designs. She incorporates use of laser cutters and 3D printing and uses a variety of materials such as nylon, rubber, sterling silver and felt.

Maria’s designs are eye-catching, and also communicate a deeper message.

Loop Hoop 4 by Maria Eife

“I am intrigued by the idea of a wearable story and communication through jewelry,” says Maria. “The Binary series is based on the computer language of Binary Code. The necklaces spell out “What?” and are a statement on digital communication, or mis-communication”.

The Emerging Artist category continues to attract young artisans who are looking for a way to expand their network and build a following for their designs. And Maria Eife certainly gained fans last year!

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Fashion Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, craft artists, craft show, handmade, jewelry, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show

Artist Spotlight: Marie Galvin

March 11, 2013

Marie Galvin

Hats have always been a part of Marie Galvin‘s vision of the perfect accessory. Her award winning sculptural millinery features contemporary designs employing her own innovative and distinctive techniques. Creating unique fabrications & specializing in sculpting feathers and unique trims into modern silhouettes are a significant part of the process as the hat design itself.

Ky Nguyen, Christy Klug and Marie Galvin at the GALVIN-ized booth

Marie Galvin is a self-taught milliner, who studied deconstructed vintage hats and old editions of millinery instructional texts to learn foundational techniques that she has used to create dramatic headpieces.

Her original pieces have been hand-constructed using wool, felt, opulent fabrics and exotic feather trims. Galvin’s have been worn by celebrities such as Cher, Alicia Keys, Vivica A Fox, and Claire Daines.

“My mission is to create unique handcrafted headwear, providing multiple expressions for the women who wear them”, says Galvin.

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Fashion, Inspiration Interviews Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, craft artists, fashion, handmade, hats, millinery, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show, spectator hats

Artist Spotlight: Nick Leonoff

February 27, 2013

Nick Leonoff, glass artist, was the 2012 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show recipient of the The Cohn Family Trust Prize For Excellence In Glass.

Nick Leonoff

Nick is intrigued by the urgency of creation when working with a molten medium that can quickly take form to a solid state.

He experiments with various textures and finishes:

Glass by Nick Leonoff

“I create blown glass using Swedish overlay techniques layering colored glass in the walls and on the surface of the glass forms. I carve the surface of the pieces with diamond wheels to remove layers of glass and expose colors within the piece. The blown pieces become the canvas for the carving process and the carving becomes the core of the design in each piece. Through this coldworking process I have been able to explore the potential of the material and focus my artistic vision”.

Nick continues to push himself out of his comfort zone, viewing it as a way to promote growth as an artist, to stay inspired and to continue to create new works of craft.

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, Craft Artists Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, blown glass, craft artists, craft show, glass, PMA Craft Show

Artist Spotlight: Lisa Naples

January 16, 2013

“The intense pace [of preparing for the show] has led to some revelations with the work both in terms of pots and sculpture,” said sculptor and potter Lisa Naples just prior to exhibiting at the 2012 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.

Lisa Naples, 2012 Craft Show

Lisa strives to express something personal in her functional vessels. Lately, she has added characters to the surface of her pots, which cause the onlooker to be drawn in to imagine the story being told through the illustrations.

The collection of ceramic sculpture and handmade earthenware pottery she exhibited at the 2012 Show was extraordinary, leading to her winning the 2012 Jane and Leonard Korman Family Prize for Excellence in Contemporary Ceramics.

Lisa Naples booth

Lisa’s experience with the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show has been excellent. Lisa commented, “The entire long weekend is punctuated with interesting audience members… who enrich the experience with their questions, comments and observations.”

Excitingly, we know Craft Show attendees will see Lisa’s work at the 2013 Craft Show, as well! For the first time, the Craft Show Committee has extended an automatic invitation to each of the award recipients from the previous year.

Directing her warm words to the Women’s Committee, Lisa shared, ”Your choice to add the invitation to return for one year to award winners makes something that was already a great vote of support and confidence even more so…I’m sincerely grateful to all of you for your efforts on behalf of fine craft… Thank you ALL!!”

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show, 2013 Craft Show, Craft Artists, Craftsmen Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, ceramics, craft artists, craft show, earthenware pottery, philadelphia museum of art, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show, pottery

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

December 24, 2012

The 36th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was a success thanks to the support of patrons and participating artists. See slide show below for highlights of two of this year’s major evening events.

November 7, 2012 | The Preview Party

November 9, 2012 | The Craft Beer Tasting Event

Filed Under: 2012 Craft Show Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, craft show, events, philadelphia museum of art craft show, PMA Craft Show

2012 Gift Guide

December 18, 2012

Back in November, we did a little bit of Christmas shopping… Here are five items that will be at the bottom of someone’s Christmas tree this Holiday season…

1. For your fashionable sister: necklace by Myung Urso

2. For the Renaissance man in your life: odd ball by artist/woodturner Daniel Keith

3. For your in-laws: vase by Mark & Julie Glocke

4. For your niece: Umsteigen t-shirt

5. For yourself: Stainless steel handbag by Wendy Stevens

And that’s one happy family!

Filed Under: A Craft Affair Tagged With: 2012 Craft Show, art glass, fashion, Fiber wearable, glass, jewelry, metal, wood