American Fine Craft Show | Brooklyn

November 19 & 20, 2016; 11am - 6pm

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238

www.americanfinecraftshowbrooklyn.com

Coral ceramic charger by Barbara Mann, Norfolk, Va. Wheel-thrown, layered matte glazes, about 16" in diameter and 3" deep with a carved tripod foot. Exhibited at the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn.

This weekend the fourth annual American Fine Craft Show | Brooklyn will be held at the Brooklyn Museum, with 90 handpicked exhibitors representing the work of the finest American artisans in the country. Show producers Richard and Joanna Rothbard relay that "two prominent trends at this year’s fine craft show are color—saturated, vibrant—and earthy looks, reflecting the youthful sensibility that represents today’s Brooklyn."

Nightstand, by Jill Orlov, Furnished Furniture collection, Baltimore, Md. Glass top: 20 x 22 x ½ inches thick. Overall height: 26-3/4 inches. Mild steel protected with oil based sealer, glass, copper sheet, aluminum, bass wood, acrylic painted seed. Miniature vignette: Twin bed with a sheet softly folded back. The bureau/dresser has a tilting mirror, spinning globe and an operable drawer. A tiny coffee mug rests on the miniature nightstand. Exhibited at the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn.

At this year's edition of the show, you will find work by master artisans ranging from furniture, ceramics and wood pieces to fashion, fashion accessories, jewelry and more. There is sophisticated, imaginative, even whimsical jewelry to be found, enhanced by precious stones and gems, beading, and found objects. One-of-a-kind furniture pieces epitomize the skills of master furniture makers working in wood, metals, and other materials. Mixed media sculpture by Lila Turjanski-Villard will be at the show (see below). Of her work, the artist says, "I enjoy working with a technique that I have developed over time and in which I use different materials, including paper. The completion of the piece is in the interpretation of the viewer once it becomes independent of my creative process. The sculptures have layers of different materials including a metal armature and paper and are painted and coated with a protective sealer."

“Flight,” by Lila Turjanski-Villard, Yorktown Heights, NY. Mixed media, from layers of materials such as metal armature and paper, painted and coated with protective sealer. Exhibited at the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn.

Notable artisans to be on the lookout for include jeweler Sonja Fries and furniture maker Stefan Rurak, both of Brooklyn, and others from around the country. Jewelers Laise Clayton and Julia Shaw (see her brooch below), furniture maker Jill Orlov, ceramicists Thomas Marrinson and Barbara Mann, milliner Karen Morris, glassmakers Charlie Jenkins and Terrill Waldman, Tandem Glass, knit fashion designer Melissa Montimurro and fine artist Deborah Shedrick will all be exhibiting their work at the show. Co-producer Richard Rothbard elaborates on the show’s offerings: “Look for special techniques, like ikat weaving or shibori dyes on sweaters, jackets, coats and accessories.” Exceptional creative works will not be in short supply this weekend!

Brooch hand sawn, enameled, soldered, textured, patina by Julie Shaw, Cocoa, FL. Her jewelry is distinguished by vibrant colors and unusual shapes. Exhibited at the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn.

The show will be held on the third floor of the magnificent Beaux-Arts Court of the Brooklyn Museum. Show producers Richard and Joanna Rothbard, founders of An American Craftsman Galleries in midtown Manhattan, note, "Visitors to our show have free general admission to the museum, an institution we admire and encourage other New Yorkers to visit especially if they haven’t in years." Concurrent special exhibitions at Brooklyn Museum include Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty, Beverly Buchanan–Ruins and Rituals, Iggy Pop Life Class by Jeremy Deller, and the ticketed exhibition, Who Shot Sports: A Photographic History, 1843 to the Present.

Pleating wide-brim hat. Hand-pleated sinamay with ostrich plume feather by Karen Morris, Dellwood, Minn. Exhibited at the American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn.

Tickets to the American Fine Craft Show are cash only at the entrance. Adults are $16, seniors are $14, and students are $10. Admission for museum members is $8. Tickets are $14 online in advance of the show. For more information about the show, which is open November 19-20 from 11am to 6pm both days, visit www.americanfinecraftshowbrooklyn.com.