Fine Craft Show at the MAG

This is the 16^th year of the Fine Craft Show at the Memorial Art Gallery, and our first time attending. We decided to go to the Friday night Opening Party preview, since that also gave us the opportunity to make a purchase before the show opened to the public over the weekend. Good thing we did!

Stephen Merritt

Unlike the Clothesline Festival, which takes place outside and has over 400 local and regional artists, the Fine Craft Show is mounted indoors, and showcases just 40 artists, selected by two jurors, in the categories of ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, metal, wood, leather, and wearable art. This year, the artists hail from 10 states as well as Canada, and seven of the artists are new to the show. Many of the artists also appear in other fine craft shows, like the Smithsonian’s, and some of them are even represented in museum collections. My friend Marcia explained that Stephen Merritt, a Rochester ceramic artist, whose work is in the Renwick and the Smithsonian, is the only artist who has appeared in all 16 Fine Craft Shows.

most of the RIT students

Beginning in 2011, the show opened a separate space for RIT School for American Crafts honor students. Students are selected by their professors to exhibit, but their work is not for sale... at the show… There were a couple of very creative pieces we might explore later, including Daniel Pfohl’s ceramic pieces modeled on the artist’s wife’s shoulder blade, and Jamie Katz’ “Lovers Eyes”: glass balls with images of his and his girlfriend’s eyes. Both so clever! This is an opportunity for the students to have exposure to professional artists, and is a great example of one of the things I truly love about Rochester – collaboration (between the University of Rochester and RIT, no less).

Daniel Pfohl's Tiles

Charlie & Daniel Pfohl

Jamie Katz' Lovers Eyes

Jamie Katz

my new scarf!

I already own two stacking bowls by Kaete Britten Shaw, but I bid on another in the silent auction. I can always go back and buy a third if I don’t “win.” We purchased an exquisite ceramic platter from Takashi Ichihara (although I dearly coveted his elegant teapots). And luckily someone pointed us to a few artists tucked away in the Lovejoy Parlor, because I had to have one of Lioubov Ermolova’s fascinating scarves. 

Camille Benjamin and her husband

The purchase that I pondered the most was a gorgeous jacket, handwoven by Camille Benjamin, from Pomfret, CT. When we discovered that we have mutual friends who live in a neighboring town to them, it sealed the deal. Because the colors I wanted weren’t at hand in my size, I won’t receive it till January, but that’ll make a great birthday gift from Charlie!

one of Takashi Ichihara's teapots

Admission to the show on Saturday and Sunday is only $10, and includes entrance to the MAG as well. It’s definitely worth visiting – even the professional photos on MAG’s website don’t do justice to the craftsmanship on display, and who knows, you might end up with an addition to your personal collection!