Thursday, October 2, 2014

ACW 2014 ~ Putting the National Spotlight on Craft

1. Meet the Potters of Deer Isle, Maine
If you are in Maine the second weekend of October, you will be surrounded by Maine Craft Weekend, held Oct. 11 & 12.  This American Craft Week event showcases Maine artisan crafts and breweries with open studios and special events throughout the state.  One scenic recommendation is to visit the potters on Deer Isle.  At the Greene Ziner Gallery you will see the exquisite work of potter Melissa Greene as well as the forged iron furniture of Eric Ziner and the work of other local craftspeople.  They are located in a gorgeous 1820’s post and beam barn at 73 Reach Road.  (For more info look under Maine at www.americancraftweek.com/participants )

2. Glassblowing with John Chiles in Orwell, VT
First off, we must tell you master glassblower, John Chiles, makes gorgeous glass. And it’s created in an idyllic setting, a rustic barn in the scenic Vermont countryside. As part of American Craft Week, he is giving demonstrations on October 4 and 5, and even more exciting, he will assist both adults and children in making their own glass holiday ornament. His studio is located at 690 Rte 73, in Orwell.  Learn more at www.americancraftweek.com/vermont


3. Wine Country Craft, Mendocino, CA
With its official celebration, “Mendocino County Celebrates American Craft Week”, this beautiful part of California is alive with the arts.  Touring the wineries?  On Oct. 3-5, at  Hadley Cellars in Philo you will be treated to delicious wine and food pairings., On Oct 12,  come to meet Monika Schulte Bisping, owner of the Bird House, exhibiting her handmade ceramic creations. Learn more at www.americancraftweek/mendocino 



4. Arts Festival Reading at Goggleworks
If you haven’t been to Goggleworks in Reading, PA, put it on your bucket list!  Named for the safety glasses which were once manufactured there, it is one cool arts place. On October 4 and 5, the Reading Arts Festival is there along with more than 30 open artist studios, hot glass demonstrations, music and more. This is a beautiful juried show in a very fun place. More info at www.americancraftweek.com/participants and www.goggleworks.org


5. River Arts District, Asheville, NC
If you would like to see more than 170 working artists, head to the River Arts District in Asheville. On Saturday, October 11, there are open studios, demonstrations, activities and restaurants all housed in 22 former industrial buildings in this great city for the arts.
Learn more at www.americancraftweek/wnc 


 6. Annual Art Show at the Mill,  Edinburg, VA
Would you like some history with your art?  Then come to the Edinburg Mill. Originally built in 1848, the mill was in continuous operation as a grist mill until 1978 and is one of the few mills  NOT burned by Sheridan during the Civil War. Now a museum and visitor center, the mill features art and craft by Shenandoah artists from October 11- 19. For more information, look under Virginia and Shenandoah at www.americancraftweek/participants.


6. American Craft Week at the West Vliet Street Distict, Milwaukee, WI
The studios and galleries in this creative district have joined in a celebration of Milwaukee-made art and craft.  Free events on Oct. 3 and 4 include Open Studios, a Pop-up Art Market, and the outdoor showing of the new PBS show, Craft in America: Service.  The community is also invited to join in making a collaborative piece of art.  Complete info at: www.salvagedstudio.com
  

8. Flower Making at the Fargo Library, Fargo, ND
The Fargo-Moorehead area is gearing up for a large American Craft Week celebration. one fun activity for both adults and teens is whimsical flower making at the library. These lovely blooms can be made in any style and color to decorate gifts, parties, and more! Program is offered Oct. 6 and 11.  For details check under North Dakota at www.americancraftweek/participants 


9. Spinzilla, Nationwide, USA
Spinzilla is a “monster of a spinning event” where competing teams and individuals challenge each other to see who can spin the most yarn in a week! Spinzilla 2014 will be held October 6  through 12. In 2013, Spinzilla's first year, over 600 spinners spun nearly 1.4 million yards of yarn. This year, there are over 1,000+ registered spinners, so the hope is for enough yarn to go coast-to-coast. The program is a fundraiser for the NeedleArts Mentoring program.  Look for more info at Nationwide events, www.americancraftweek.com/participants


10. Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon, American Craft Council, Minneapolis, MN
Help update our knowledge and information about America’s women artists. Come to the ACC’s Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon during American Craft Week to focus on adding information about female craft artists to Wikipedia.  It will be held Saturday, October 11, from 10 -3. at the ACC Library, 1224 Marshall St. in Minneapolis. It is free, with refreshments, and you are invited to attend for as long as you like.  More info: http://craftcouncil.org/event/art-feminism-wikipedia-edit-thon.



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