For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact:
Krista Bard or Susan Shain
Bard Strategies
(215) 735-7110
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Presents
33rd Annual Exhibition and Sale
August 3, 2009
PHILADELPHIA, PA — From Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15, 2009, The Craft Show Committee and The Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art will present the 33rd 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 1,300 applicants. For the first time in the history of the Craft Show, artists from Korea will be exhibiting and selling their work.
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 where the crafts exhibited embrace 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.
Amy Fox Craft Show Chair notes, "My favorite part of the Craft Show is meeting the artists. I enjoy hearing them talk about their work, their inspiration and the process. It brings each piece to life for me and makes it personal. I always look forward to walking the show and seeing new faces each year. I am intrigued watching the Artists' Demonstrations over the course of the Show to learn more about how each piece is made."
Five internationally renowned craft experts served as jurors, including: {Elisabeth Agro, Associate Curator of American Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA; Bruce Helander, West Palm Beach, FL; Albert LeCoff Executive Director, Wood Turning Center, Philadelphia, PA; Karen Lorene, Owner, Facere Jewelry Art Gallery, Seattle, WA; Susan Wilber, Topdog, The Laughing Dog Gallery, Vero Beach, FL.
"I am honored to have been chosen to help jury this year's Philadelphia Craft Show. The quality of the work submitted was outstanding--this show attracts the very finest craftspeople working in America today," said Susan Wilber.
Juror Karen Lorene, "The jurying of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was a demanding, joyous, delicious (yes, delicious!) experience. The participants and attendees at the November show will have a visual feast!"
The group of twenty-six artists from Korea to be featured in this year's Craft Show has been selected in conjunction with Korean Craft Promotion Foundation, Sung Moon Mo, President. The guest artist component was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in 2001. Past guest artist groups from: Israel (2008), Canada (2007), Finland (2006), Germany (2005), Ireland (2004), Great Britain (2003), First Nation (2002), and Japan (2001).
Once again the online auction will be featured during the week of the show. All items are donations to the Show.
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 attracts 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, support education programs and to contribute to conservation and publication projects.
Dates and hours for the 2009 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show are: Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, November 15, 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 contacting 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 11th, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; call (215) 684-7930 for tickets (tickets start at $200 per person).
The 33rd annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is organized and coordinated by Amy Fox, Chair, Marta Adelson, Vice Chair and Nancy O'Meara, Show Manager. For more information, contact 215-684-7930.
Images available upon request
For more information, contact 215-684-7930, or email .
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 33rd year (in conjunction with The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Committee); Small Indulgences, a boutique show held annually; and gala openings of various exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
