News

Philadelphia, PA — From Thursday, November 8 through Sunday, November 11, 2007, The Craft Show Committee and The Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art will present the 31st annual Craft Show. This premier exhibition and sale of contemporary American craft, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, includes 195 of the best craft artists in the United States, selected from more than 1,380 applicants. For the first time in the history of the Craft Show, a group of 26 artists from Canada will be exhibiting and selling their work. Another innovative first is the creation this year of a new emerging artist category, showcasing the work of several artists new to the field.

The Show offers a special opportunity to meet the finest craft artists and to learn about and purchase their work. There is excitement in every booth at the Show, with the crafts exhibited embracing a striking variety of forms and functions, including: glass, baskets, jewelry, fiber wearable, metal, paper, leather, furniture, clay, wood, mixed media, and fiber-decorative works.

Susan Zelouf, Craft Show Chair notes: "I am fascinated by the intensity and amount of work involved in putting this show together. I have worked on different subcommittees in the past, and now as show chair, I am seeing the whole process and how it evolves from the beginning, with viewing the artist applications, to planning the show week. My favorite moments will assuredly be watching the physical space go from empty hall to bright lights, full of creativity and life."

Five internationally renowned craft experts served as jurors, including: David Barquist, curator of American Decorative Arts for the Philadelphia Museum of Art; studio artist and ceramics instructor John Britt from Bakersville, North Carolina; Martha Connell, co-director and owner of the Connell Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia; jeweler Arline M. Fisch, Professor of Art Emerita at San Diego State University; and Paula Berg Owen, president of the Southwest School of Art and Craft in San Antonio, Texas.

Juror Arline Fisch comments, "It was a pleasure to review so many high quality entries for this year's Philadelphia Craft Show, and to see how artists have matured in their presentation skills. The number and quality of entrants surely confirm the reputation for excellence that the show represents."

Juror John Britt added, "The dedication and professionalism of the Women's Committee and Craft Show Committee is outstanding. I am impressed with the effort to make this the finest show in the country, and with creation of the emerging artist category is a great idea. The committee is constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to keep the show fresh and exciting. I commend their efforts."

The group of Canadian craft artists featured in this year's Craft Show has been selected in conjunction with the Canadian Crafts Federation/Féderation canadienne des metiers d'art. The guest artist component was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in 2001. Past guest artist groups include: Finnish (2006), German (2005), Irish (2004), British (2003), Native Americans (2002), Japanese (2001). A group of artists from Israel will participate in next year's show.

For the second year we will feature our on-line auction during the week of the show. Thirty items from participating exhibitors will be offered, all extraordinary one-of-a-kind art objects.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is presented annually by The Craft Show Committee and Women's Committee for the benefit of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The event attracted some 25,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia over a period of four days last year. Funds raised are used to purchase works of art and craft for the permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to support exhibitions and education programs and to contribute to conservation and publication projects.

Dates and hours for the 2007 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show are: Thursday, November 8 and Friday, November 9, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, November 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, November 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. General admission is $15.00. Two-day passes are $20.00. Children under 12 are $5.00. Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance by calling the Craft Show office at (215) 684-7930. Group admission can be arranged for 10 or more, also by calling the Craft Show office. The Pennsylvania Convention Center, the site of the Craft Show, is located at 12th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia.

The Preview Party, which is open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, November 7th, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; call (215) 684-7930 for tickets (tickets are $200 per person).

The 31st annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is organized and coordinated by Susan Zelouf, Chair, and Nancy C. O'Meara, Show Manager. For more information call 215-684-7930.

Founded in 1883, the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of, if not the oldest organization of women in support of a cultural institution in the country. Over the years, the Women's Committee has raised millions of dollars, and their efforts have influenced every gallery and program in the Museum. Funds are raised through the annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show now going into its 31st year (in conjunction with The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Committee); ArtWorks, a retail gallery in the Museum; Small Indulgences, a boutique show held annually; and gala openings of various exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

For Further Information

Krista Bard or Susan Shain, Bard Strategies
(215) 735-7110

Images available upon request