Art Town Ely, Nevada Murals are a must see

 

Ely, Nevada on the Eastern end of US 50  - the loneliest highway - boasts a superb mural tour. The little town hosted the 2004 Global Mural Convention which attracted artists from many countries. Some painted murals alongside local artists. The murals depict numerous aspects of the cultures and industries that built the area, e.g. the Basque shepherds,  the pony express and mining. It's a great example of wonderful public art bringing life to a small town. Mark Ely, Nevada on your bucket list, it's a great experience. Close by is the beautiful Great Basin National Park. Plus driving Hwy 50 is an experience of stark beauty and endless vistas. For more info check out the website and Nevada website

Art Town - Trinidad, Colorado

 

Trinidad, Colorado, sits right on the NE border of New Mexico, you get to experience the mountains and the plains. It's a funky, lively town and has a great art and crafts vibe. Home to everything from fine arts to jaw-dropping art cars to fun public art. The esteemed organisation, ArtSpace, is restoring a historic building in to a performance arts facility plus building a block of live & work artist apartments on the edge of town near the old train depot. There's fabulous outdoor adventures and drives in the surrounding area with a long history in mining. Much of the public art pays homage to their mining history.

Check out the website and add it to your list of must visit art spots! Enjoy.

Art Town Silver City, New Mexico

 

Tucked in to the foothills in SW New Mexico near the Arizona border is a delightful old Western town, Silver City. It's historic district is a creative dream. Lots of studios, galleries, cafes, restaurants and great public art. They host biannual art weekends and much more. The revitalization has retained the character of the town and includes green space. It's added bonus to the arts and crafts is the surrounding area. The dramatic and stunning Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Aldo Leopold Wilderness, historic Fort Bayard and the amazing Cat Walk amoung the attractions. Plan on staying a few days to enjoy and experience it all. 

Check the website and put it on your 'to go to' list!

Maryland artist takes books to another level

Images courtesy of the artist

Maryland artist Judy Folkenberg's book creations know no bounds. She collects all kinds of wonderful things and then "plays with them." Her playing with bits of drift wood or a bobbin from an antique store end up as astonishingly beautiful, and often, colourful books. Each one a treasure. Check out her website and link on her other social media from there. You will be enchanted - enjoy!

 

Image courtesy of the artist

Jewelers Extraordinaire

 

Images courtesy artists website

If you're looking to buy an exclusive piece of jewelry for a present or for any reason ... please check out American Craft Week supporters, Tom Reardon and Kathleen Doyle. They create beautiful  jewelry in their studio in Asheville,  North Carolina combining gold, sterling silver, mixed metals and gemstones. Check out their website or if your interested the area, give them a call to set up an appointment. 

Excellent article in Handmade Business Magazine

 

A big thank you to Handmade Business Magazine for running this article on #ACW2020 Art Therapy in the Time of Covid contest featuring all the winners! We appreciate your support. Please share, buy the magazine and spread the word.  Link here for ACW website with list of winners.

Regina Design 2 month exhibit & October 3 studio events

 

An exciting exhibit featuring ACW2020 participant, the talented Regina Designs is opening at Blackboard Gallery, October 1 through November 30. She is also hosting an open studio with weaving demos throughout the day on October 3 at Studio city at the Studio channel Islands in Camarillo, California. Check out her website for details and mark your calendars.  

Meet Ann Sanicola Jewelry from Cochise, Arizona

 

American Craft Week is delighted to welcome first time participant, Ann Sanicola Jewelry from AZ to ACW2020. Her work specializes in bracelets, earrings and necklaces using local stone. Anne notes, "All are one of a kind pieces which grew out of stones, which tell me their stories. " 

Check out her website to see samples of her creations, read her story & give her a big welcome to ACW2020.

Welcome to Racine Art Museum, in Racine, Wisconsin

 

ACW2020 is delighted to welcome the wonderful Racine Art Museum in Racine, Wisconsin.  The museum presents craft in a variety of media - ceramics, fibre, wood, glass and metal amoung others, and they dispel any differentiation between fine art and craft and between artist and craftsman.  They like to emphasize the ideas behind the work. 

If you can't visit in person this time ... but do try!.. be sure to visit their website to see examples of their excellent collection - including a huge teapot collection in various media - and their current exhibitions.

Welcome to Dinkra Stylez from Maryland

 

We're delighted to welcome teen owned and operated craft design firm, Dinkra Stylez of Brandywine, MD to ACW2020. Her mission is to create colourful, fun and engaging products to promote literacy about African heritage. Check out her website and watch 'her story' video ... it's very cool. Brava and good luck to this determined and talented young lady!

Mountain Made in Asheville, N.C., creating poetry in the mountains for ACW2020

 

A long time supporter of American Craft Week, Mountain Made in Grove Arcade, Asheville,  N.C., has great ideas for ACW2020... they'll be hosting a graffiti painting project and doing a book of poetry & thoughts on 'The Year of 2020.' The book will eventually be published and sold with profits going to charity. How cool is that? Be sure to check out their website for more information. And if you're in the area, definitely attend their events. They're going to be such fun  ... don't forget your mask!😊

Welcome to CLAYFOLK .. Southern Oregon Potters Assoc

 

American Craft Week is delighted to welcome Clayfolk - Southern Oregon Potters Association to ACW2020 and we look forward to a long and happy relationship for many more years. Check out their talented members under the gallery menu on their website. We look forward to hearing what events they have planned and we'll be sure to let you know. 

Oregon's fabulous CLAYFEST is online this year ...

 

Oregon's famous Clayfest is eagerly awaited each year, so this year to ensure you don't have withdrawal symptoms from your ceramics fix ... they've gone online from now through December.  Check out their virtual show at this website to see who's selling online, who's hosting studio visits and general info on the artists, local pick up or delivery etc. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

American Craft Week is delighted to welcome them to this year's celebration and we look forward to many more years celebrating craft together.

Meet Byers McCurry Studio in New Mexico

 Welcome to New Mexico's Byers McCurry Studio, participants in 2020 American Craft Week. Check out their website and online shop.  If you're in the area - they're based in Lamy, NM just 12 miles from Sante Fe. Artists Holden McCurry and Ed Byers would love to welcome you to their studios. .. give them a call to set up an appointment. .. be safe, don't forget your mask 😊 

#americancraftweek #ByersMcCurryStudio #newmexico #pottery #ceramics #art #craft 

Art Therapy in the Time of Covid winners

Artist Susan Wiersema of Bainbridge Island, Washington State, one of the winners in the exhibit

Have you seen all the fabulous winners of American Craft Week Art Therapy in the Time of Covid art contest yet? Click here right away and check them all out. It's an amazing exhibit ... enjoy!

Cape Anne Artisans plan 2 summer mini-studio tours July 18 and August 15

Cape Anne Artisans plan two special “mini-tours” in July and August. Many of the artists can't open their studios because of Covid-19. However, a few can and they have scheduled Saturday, 18 July and 15 August to hold a mini-tour from 10 a.m. To 5 p.m. They encourage you to make an appointment, but it is not essential, and Covid-19 rules will apply, so please wear a face mask, practise social distancing and use hand sanitizer. Remember to look for the pink tour banners!

The participating Gloucester artists (with links to websites) are ;

Jillian Demeri, Beth Williams Studio, Cape Ann Designs - Jacqueline Ganim-Defalco, Plum Cove Pottery - David Archibald.

The Participating Rockport artists are :

Cynthia Curtis, Pam Stratton, Twin Lights Studio – Scott and Erin O'Sullivan-Place

For details, the Cape Anne Artisans website has information and links.
American Craft Week encourages you to attend these mini studio tours, support local craft and art... and have fun but please, be safe! Please also share this notice on your social media and to your friends. Thank you!

Please Support Crafting The Future

Shanti Broom, a Crafting the Future recipient, during her 2019 summer workshop at Penland School of Crafts.

 Photo courtesy of Crafting The Future's website

American Craft Week  promotes all American craft and crafters/artists with enthusiasm. And when crafters/artists help other crafters/artists, we love it even more. So we'd like to introduce you to Crafting the Future. Their website explains, "Crafting The Future is a collective of artists concerned about the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the fields of craft, art and design. We formed in order to change our community. Working together and combining resources, we support the careers of young, underrepresented artists by connecting them to opportunities that will help them thrive."
Crafting the Future partners with organizations around the country, such as the renown Penland School of Craft  in North Carolina, The Haystack School in Maine and YAYA, a youth arts organization in New Orleans, La. They raise funds through subscriptions, grants and kickstarters to enable crafters to attend workshops and courses in their field.
Whether you're an artist or crafter, a collector or a passionate supporter of the arts, please consider helping. Check out, and follow, their website and Instagram
We wish them, and the talented recipients, continued success in this wonderful endeavour.

Vermont Virtual Spring Studio Tour, May 23 and 24 - don't miss it!

For 27 years bright yellow signs have popped up all over the verdant state of Vermont to direct visitors to art studios and galleries for the VT Spring Studio Tour.  This year Covid19 has put a dent in the long tradition, so the Vermont Craft Council and their artists quickly adapted and are holding a virtual studio tour this weekend, May 23 and 24.
Check out the website for information.  Artists have pictures of their work with links to their social media pages, websites and videos showing their studio space and working styles.  You browse through them and be sure to have the credit card ready ... there are wonderful treasures to be found.  It all starts at 8 a.m. this Saturday, May 23... enjoy!

Sculpture by metal artist Steve Bronstein of Blackthorne Forge. image courtesy of VT Craft website

Art therapy in the time of Covid19 ... artist contest

American Craft Week has announced the artist contest for 2020. Check it out - there's a $500 prize for the winner... and more, plus the top finalists will be featured in the showcase website. Check out the rules, download the application form...get really good photos and apply before 12 June.  Links on the website. Good luck! 🌟

How are you promoting your work during quarantine?

Artists, crafters, businesses are all trying new ways to promote themselves in this time of lockdowns and change. Some already had an active online presence, others are just starting. Sending out challenges is something many have done. Or special offers on certain pieces. Virtual studio tours. Videos showing their process of creating. Search art groups for ideas. Facebook haslots of creative groups...join some and experiment with news techniques, ask questions, don't be afraid to make mistakes.
What have you done? Let us know, please share with us and the world ...
I'll leave you with this great time lapsed video of Athens, Georgia based artist, Will Eskridge. Its a wonderful glimpse into his creative process. Will is a full time professional artist, so working from his home studio is not too different for him. He's a talented painter, musician (yes..the background music is his own composition) and he's pretty nifty with technology.  Check out his website and blog and see the various challenges & ideas he's tried.
We're all in this together - let's help each other.

Video courtesy of artist