For Immediate Release
For Further Information Contact:
Krista Bard or Susan Shain
Bard Strategies
(215) 735-7110
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Presents
32nd Annual Exhibition and Sale
June 06, 2008: Philadelphia, PA — From Thursday, November 13 through Sunday, November 16, 2008, The Craft Show Committee and The Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art will present the 32nd 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 1,400 applicants. For the first time in the history of the Craft Show, artists from Israel 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.
Eve Walker, Craft Show Chair notes, "I am honored to be the chairman of the leading show of its type and the largest annual fundraiser for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Our ongoing success depends on the support of outstanding contemporary American craft artists, over 100 committee volunteers, and loyal as well as new visitors to the Show. We invite everyone to come to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, November 13th through the 16th, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and you will see why our premier American Contemporary Craft Show is simply the best!"
Five internationally renowned craft experts served as jurors, including: Elisabeth Agro, Nancy M. McNeil Associate Curator of Modern & Contemporary Decorative Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA; William Hunter, Artist, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; Elizabeth Shypertt, co-owner Velvet da Vinci Gallery, San Francisco, CA; Franklin Silverstone, Chairman and CEO of Collectify Collections Management software and the Charles Bronfman Curator New York, NY; and David Willard, Executive Director, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN
Juror William Hunter said, "I was so impressed with the entire process of jurying for the Philadelphia Craft Show. There was utmost professionalism throughout the process; Respect for quality and a wonderful collegiality keeps this show at the top."
Juror Elizabeth Shypertt said, "Jurying the Philadelphia Craft Show was a real honor and an enriching experience. This is one of best craft shows in North America and the quality of the entries reflects this. It is really nice to see that the craft world is thriving!"
The group of artists from Israel to be featured in this year's Craft Show has been selected in conjunction with the Association of Israel's Decorative Arts (AIDA) based in New York. The guest artist component was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in 2001. Past guest artist groups have been showcased from: 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, education programs and to contribute to conservation and publication projects.
Dates and hours for the 2008 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show are: Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday, November 16, 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 12th, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.; call (215) 684-7930 for tickets (tickets are $200 per person).
The 32nd annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is organized by Eve Walker, Chair; Amy Fox, Vice-Chair and Nancy C. O'Meara, Show Manager. 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 32nd 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 Contact:
Bard Strategies. (215) 735-7110
Krista Bard or Susan Shain