Silvermine Craft USA opening Sunday

Silvermine Guild Art Center
1037 Silvermine Rd., New Canaan, (203) 966-9700
Craft USA '08
Nov. 16—Dec. 23, 2008
Opening reception: Sun., Nov. 16, 2—4 p.m.

Press release

Craft USA '08, the sixth national juried Craft Triennial competition at the Silvermine Guild Arts Center in New Canaan, Connecticut will be on exhibit from Nov. 16—Dec. 23. Celebrating craft as art, Craft USA is a juried triennial competition/exhibition showcasing original hand made works of art. The competition draws over 1000 entries and over 400 artists from coast to coast working in various mediums such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, paper, wood, basketry and mixed media. This year's juror is Gretchen Keyworth, Director/Chief Curator, Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA.

Craft USA '08 Best in Show was presented to Judith Laffey from Mystic, Connecticut for her work titled "Desert Blooms" fiber, hand woven. Helen Otterson from West Palm Beach, Florida was awarded Second prize for her work in ceramic with "Balance." Third prize was awarded to Joyce Utting Schutter from Sandwich, Massachusetts for her work in mixed media titled, "Arcidae's Purse." The Jens Risom Award, Honorable Mention has been awarded to Mary Chuduk from Tempe, Arizona for "Anemone" enamel, sifted on copper and Anika Smulovitz of Boise, Idaho received the Gessewein Jewelry Award for "Body in Motion: Study 3" sterling silver, 18k gold and film transparency hand fabricated, and the Rio Grande Jewelry Award was presented to Michael B. Hays for "Tea Infuser with Stand" works in metal. All are welcome to the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2—4 p.m. in the Silvermine Gallery.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Silvermine will be hosting an inspiring Symposium and Panel Discussion on Sunday, Nov. 30, from 3—4 p.m. The program will begin with a presentation of highlights from the Craft USA exhibition given by juror, Gretchen Keyworth, followed by a panel discussion which will include luminaries from the craft world Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief of American Craft magazine, and Rhonda Brown and Tom Grotta, co-curators of browngrotta arts. The Symposium, "Blurring the Boundaries: Trends in Contemporary Craft," will survey and explore current trends in American Craft, how craft is defined and blends with fine art today. Audience participation and conversations with the panelists are encouraged. There is a $10 per person charge for the symposium. Tickets can be purchased by calling 203-966-9700, ext. 20.