What: 100 American Craftsmen
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Where:Kenan Arena, 195 Beattie Ave., Lockport
Cost: $6, with a $1 coupon available at www.kenancenter.org
Forget about the kettle corn. Don’t bother looking for turkey legs. And don’t worry about getting those embarrassing hat and sunglasses tan lines.
It’s not that the 37th annual “100 American Craftsmen” show at Lockport’s Kenan Center is against food or fun. There are, in fact, a good number of games, meals and snacks, prizes and distractions for visitors young and old.
It’s just that, compared to other festivals around the region, even those centered on arts and crafts, the Kenan show stands out for its focus on displaying the work of local artisans and artists, front and center.
“For an artist who’s displaying, this show is really cool,” said Chris Stangler, a Lockport resident who will man a booth to sell his hand-crafted paper designs. “This is one of the few shows that gets people to really notice the fine art and craft that goes into the work. When you do other outdoor shows around here, in Ohio, Florida ... you realize how crazy they can be.”
While artists enjoy greater one-on-one discussions with potential buyers and an even indoor climate, festival-goers get to experience live music throughout the weekend, herbal plant and Quilter’s Guild sales, open access to the Kenan Center’s mansion and gallery, two gourmet food vendors and an “artspace” for children.
Elaine Harrigan, marketing director for the Kenan Center, said the most significant change to this year’s Craftsmen show is its media presence. Travers Collins & Company, one of the show’s sponsors, launched a multi-media advertising campaign in the spring with an attention-grabbing them -- a striking image of a radiant green blown-glass piece, for instance, is accompanied by an enticement to “Get blown away.”
“We launched the campaign to reach that last section of the region that doesn’t know about this great event in their own area,” Harrigan said.
For Stangler, more attention from visitors usually means more sales. He said that after explaining the process by which he recombines other artists’ scraps, prints, pine needles and other man-made and natural ingredients into a sheet’s worth of ideas to his booth’s guests, he’ll often receive a call or e-mail later seeking a purchase.
“People have time to think about it, and they really want to know about the artist and how the work is made,” Stangler said. “I just make things I would like to own, and hope that connects with people ... it seems to work pretty well at this festival.”
The 100 American Craftsmen show will be judged by jury, with four awards totaling $1,750 presented at the show’s end. For information on the show, visit kenancenter.org or call 433-2617.
Contact reporter Kevin Purdy at 693-1000, ext. 107.
Art
Related Photos
May 31, 2007
ARTS: "100 American Craftsmen" show is a festival with focus
- Art
-
-
LIFESTYLE: Make art part of Syracuse trip
I am not an art critic. I can’t pick out a Renoir from a Michelangelo to save my life, nor can I even define what the Impressionist period is.
But I know what I like. And I like the Everson Museum of Art. -
ART: The NACC presents Holiday Extravaganza, "Artists and Friends"
Rachel Schiff was hanging her jewel-toned paintings in the Garden Gallery, admiring the soft light coming in from the giant windows and the beautiful marble floors.
-
MUSIC: The songs (and paintings) of Ron Hawkins
A lot of things have changed since Ron Hawkins was on the stage at Gateway Harbor in North Tonawanda in 2006.
-
ART: Buffalo Society of Artists show hits Kenan Center
The Buffalo Society of Artists is reaching out.
-
ART: Warhol photo collection comes to Castellani
"In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes.”
-
ART: The Lewiston Art Festival
In nearly every way, the Lewiston Art Festival is growing.
-
LIFESTYLE: 'Body Worlds' challenges the mind, heart
The “Body Worlds” exhibit was created as a vehicle for science, but it has stirred up emotions of a far different sort in pretty much every city that it’s visited.
-
ART: NACC goes "Beyond the Barrel"
The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center typically opens its “Beyond the Barrel” art exhibition at the end of June, but this year presented an opportunity that NACC staff couldn’t pass up.
-
ART: 100 American Craftsmen descend on Lockport
There will be art you can wear, art you can clean with and art you can drink from.
-
ART: Jed Jackson returns for exhibit
Thus, while the campus rocks this weekend, the Castellani will present the opening of “JED: 30 Years of Painting by Jed Jackson.”
- More Art Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
