59 Artists to Exhibit at Craft + Design This Year

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond welcomes 59 artists to Craft + Design this year. The 52-year-old contemporary craft show, presented by Altria Group, takes place at the Science Museum of Virginia the weekend of Nov. 18-20, 2016.

Nineteen artists are new to the show this year. Among them are glass artist Warner Whitfield, ceramicist Jim Whalen, glass artist Amber Marshall and wood artist Robert Patterson. Whitfield’s work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Japanese Embassy and in the private collections of Stephen King and Martha Stewart.

New local notables include wood artist Daniel Rickey, glass artist Sean Donlon and jewelry artist Caitie Sellers. Richmonders will recognize Donlon’s work, which is currently installed in the lobby of Richmond’s Quirk Hotel.

Craft + Design’s featured artist is jeweler Ashley Buchanan, who works primarily in powder-coated enamel. She has exhibited her work at the Museum of Art and Design in New York, and has been featured in national publications such as Ornament Magazine, Metalsmith Magazine and American Craft Magazine, where she was short-listed for the Emerging Voices Award. The piece Craft + Design is highlighting is called “Yellow Chaos Chain.”

“We are extremely excited about this year’s artists,” said Stefanie Fedor, executive director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. “We saw a sharp uptick in applications, which tells us that artists recognize Craft + Design for the gem that it is.”

Artists come from as far away as Maine, Wisconsin and California to participate in Craft + Design. Only a quarter of the show’s exhibitors are from Virginia. A complete list of participating artists is available on VisArts’ website.

This year’s show was juried by collector and ceramicist Rhona Arenstein, longtime communications officer at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Suzanne Hall, gallerist Ashby Nickerson, conservator Scott Nolley and gallerist Maggie Smith. Nationally, the show is recognized for being competitive to get into, as well as extremely hospitable. A hosted housing program and artists’ dinner are two of the perks that artists say sets Craft + Design apart from other shows of its caliber.

Nearly all the artists who won awards at last year’s show will be returning. They include:

• Meg Dickerson (Ceramics Award)
• Beverly Tadeu (Precious Metals Award)
• Corey Pemberton (Glass Award)
• Shanti Yard (Wood or Recycled Materials Award)
• Wendy Stevens (Contemporary Design Award)
• Cathy Vaughn (Award for Innovative Use of Traditional Craft Materials)
• Amy Gillespie (Fiber Award)

At the Patrons’ Preview Party on Fri., Nov. 18, the following awards will be presented:

• Elisabeth Scott Bocock Best in Show Award Presented by McGuireWoods LLP
• Priscilla Burbank and Mike Schewel Glass Award
• Davenport & Company LLC Innovative Use of Traditional Craft Materials Award
• Friends of the Wood Studio at VisArts Wood and Recycled Materials Award
• Yvonne and Charles Gold Fiber Award
• Martin-Star Cabinetry and Design New Artist Award
• Richmond Magazine Best Booth Design Award
• Shockoe Bottom Clay Ceramics Award
• Troutman Sanders Contemporary Design Award
• WCVE Precious Metals Award

A special booth will feature the work of six local makers. They include:

• Blanc Creatives
• Drift/Riot
• Join or Die Knives
• Nordt Family Farms
• North End Bag Co.
• Shockoe Atelier

Another booth will feature four members of the Visual Arts Center’s Clay Guild:

• Ryan Coppage
• Paul Klassett
• Tamurlaine Melby
• Al Pellenberg

For the first time ever, VisArts is making Patrons’ Preview tickets available to the general public. Tickets to the gala event, which takes place on Fri., Nov. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m., include beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres, along with the chance to shop early. They cost $80 for VisArts members and $100 for the general public.

The Rise + Shine Breakfast, which pairs another early shopping opportunity with a light breakfast and mimosas, will run from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19. Tickets are $25 for VisArts members and $30 for the general public.

Regular shopping hours run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Sat., Nov. 19 and Sun., Nov. 20. General admission tickets cost $10. VisArts members receive one or two free general admission tickets, depending on their level of membership.

Beer by Ardent Craft Ales, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, and Strangeways Brewing will be on tap throughout the weekend, along with wine. During Saturday and Sunday’s regular shopping hours, food will be by Alamo BBQ.

People who would like to attend multiple events over the course of the Craft + Design weekend should consider purchasing a weekend pass. Weekend passes are $100 for members and $125 for the general public and include a ticket to Patrons’ Preview, a ticket to Rise + Shine and unlimited admission during regular shopping hours.

All proceeds from Craft + Design help underwrite the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s education and outreaching programming.