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. This year 52 of the 195 craft artists from the United States are new to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show.
Silent Auction
The 195 artists participating in the 2OO4 Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show will be invited to compose a piece of art inspired ‘by this year’s front exhibition and silent auction theme, "Music to My Ears." The theme is a tribute to this year’s international guest artist group from Ireland. Craft Show visitors may bid on these items for the duration of the Craft Show. The exhibit is at the very front of the Craft Show and bidding runs through the duration of the Craft Show.
Between 30 and 50 artists are expected to donate a piece to the silent auction. The one-of-a-kind creations will be depicted in every medium - clay, metal, fiber, wood, leather, glass - as well as mixed media.
Joan Momjian - Craft Show Chair
Joan Momjian, Craft Show Chair notes: "I have enjoyed meeting so many creative and talented people throughout the development of this year’s Craft Show. I am really looking forward to seeing the many imaginative interpretations of "Music to My Ears." The artists in this years Craft Show are so innovative."
"The silent auction is one of my favorite components of the Craft Show. Every year I look forward to seeing how the artists will translate the theme. From past years experience, I have a feeling "Music to My Ears" will get some ears, some musical notes and instruments, and I can only Imagine what else."
Jurors
Five internationally renowned craft experts served as jurors, including Ulysses Dietz, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Newark Museum, Newark, NJ; Leslie Ferrin of the Ferrin Gallery, Hudson, NY; Mark Lyman, President and Founder of SOFA, Sawyer, Ml; Sharon Church, Professor, Craft Department of the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA; and David Chatt, Artist, Seattle, Washington.
Guest Artists
A group of Irish craft artists will be featured in this year’s Craft Show in conjunction with the Irish Crafts Council. The guest artist component was introduced to the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in 2001. Past guest artist groups include: British (2003), Native Americans (2002) and Japanese (2001). Future artist groups planned are: Germany (2005) and Finland (2006).
About the Craft 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 attracted some 25,000 visitors to the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia over a period of five 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.
Show Dates and Hours
Thursday, November 4th and Friday, November 5th, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 6th, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Sunday, November 7th, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Admission Prices
General admission is $12.00 for adults (two-day passes are $18.00) and $5.00 for children under 12; 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.
Pennsylvania Convention Center
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 3rd, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; call (215) 684-7930 for tickets (tickets are $150 each).
For More Information
The 28th annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is organized and coordinated by Joan R. Momjian, Chair, Sally Sharkey, Vice-Chair, and Nancy C. O’Meara, Show Manager. For more information, contact 215-684-7930 or go to
www.philamuseum.org/pmacraft.