Craft Forms Opens At Wayne Art Center

Craft Forms 2011, the International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Crafts, will be on display at the from December 2, 2011 − January 21, 2012.  This eagerly anticipated exhibition, celebrating its seventeenth year, is dedicated to enhancing the public's awareness of fine contemporary craft while providing a venue for established and emerging artists to share their creative endeavors.  Craft Forms continues to earn a rapidly growing reputation as one of the nation’s most recognized contemporary craft exhibitions.  The finest works of ceramics, wood, fiber, metal, glass and mixed medium are featured, supporting the Center’s mission of expanding the public’s awareness of fine contemporary crafts, and significantly benefiting all educational programs for children and adults.  “We are excited to continue to present established and emerging artists from all over the country and abroad as far as England, Canada and Australia,” said Nancy Campbell, Executive Director.

The juror of Craft Forms 2011 is Elisabeth Agro, the Nancy M. McNeil Curator of American Modern and Contemporary Crafts and Decorative Arts of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, reviewed 484 applicants with 894 works.  Overall, a very diverse selection of works from around the world were submitted which made the jurying most interesting. 109 Artists from Canada, England, Australia and 33 states from the USA comprise the 125 piece show. Agro presented a very insightful Juror’s Talk on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. and Meet the Artists directly followed the presentation.  During the Preview Party, Agro presented 1st through 5th Place awards, as well as 7 Honorable Mentions. Over 20 artists from around the USA were in attendance.

Jurors Award List included:

First Place:                        Chuck Sharbaugh for, Across America

Second Place:                        Catherine I. Theodore for, Wind Turbine Mania

Third Place:                        Jeffrey Dever for, Serendipity

Fourth Place:                        Yevgeniya Kaganovich for, Mouthpieces 25/26

Fifth Place:                        Beth Barron for, Implostion #3

Honorable Mentions:

            Tristyn A. Albright for, The Bitch is Back

            Michael Brolly for, Split Vessel

            Tegan Ford for, Inhale

            Stephanie A. Rozene for, The Politics of Porcelain

            Jose Sierra for, Cotopot

            Peggy Wiedemann for, In Safe Keeping

             David Knopp for, Mitosis_1

This year, along with the outstanding Craft Forms 2011, the Wayne Art Center is honored to simultaneously present Green From the Get Go: International Contemporary Baskets, co-curated by Jane Milosch, Director, Smithsonian Provenance Research Initiative, Smithsonian Institution, and Tom Grotta and Rhonda Brown, browngrotta arts gallery.

During the Preview Party weekend, a collection of Ikebana floral arrangements created by local artisans, were on display in the Link to further exemplify the natural and hand-made theme through these shows.

Along the outer gallery walls, silk screens, lithographs, and other limited edition artist prints from Philagrafika are featured. Up to 62 framed artworks from today back to 2001 will be for sale. A select few of these artists and master printers will speak about their printing methods and pieces on December 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. and a reception will follow at the Wayne Art Center.

Highlighting some of the fundraising events for Craft Forms, will be a patron lucheon and art collection tour at a private Gladwyne residence on Saturday, January 7, 2012. Numerous curatorial and artist lectures are scheduled throughout December and January that will discuss craft and the contemporary basketry collections featured in both galleries.

Once again, the annual Fine Art & Craft Sale feature unique, one-of-a-kind handcrafted items from local and regional artisans. Many of these specialty craft items are available in the Wayne Art Center Gallery Shop through January 21, 2012. Items for sale will include: paintings, prints, beautiful ceramics, leather goods, wood accessories, hand-blown glass, fine jewelry, hand-knit scarves and wares, basketry, and much more. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  There is a suggested $5 contribution to view Craft Forms 2011 and Green from the Get Go.

Wayne Art Center will continue to offer Special Events related to Craft Forms 2011: 

Craft Forms 2011 & Green From the Get Go Exhibition: International Contemporary Basket Makers: December 3, 2011 – January 21, 2012

Co-Curator’s Talk by Jane Milosch and browngrotta arts:  Saturday, Dec.10, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Free and Open to the Public. 

Philagrafika Artists Lecture and Reception: Saturday, December 17, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Free and Open to the Public. 

The major sponsors of Craft Forms 2011 are: Leading sponsor, Wellness & Prevention, Inc. A Johnson & Johnson Company, First Priority Bank, Car Sense, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company, Star Printing, Main Line Today Magazine, Alan McIlvain Company, Allstate - Susan J. Gerrity Agency, Michael and Lis Kalogris, Brian Daggett, and Franz Rabauer.