A lot of our new members are curious about this next questions:

What is a chapter and why should I join one?

A chapter brings the Guild into local communities. Guild members in similar areas have formed chapters to focus on specific aims in a more intimate setting.  Many of our chapters sponsor events, such as the Pocono State Craft Festival put on by the Pocono Chapter.  Chapters also work to provide opportunities within its community such as workshops and scholarships for highschool students.

The Bucks County Chapter website aptly states that one of their goals is to:

“assists members in marketing high quality crafts and provides a forum for exchange of ideas and information through its meetings and programs”

If you are looking for a setting in which you can get to know and share information with artists in your own community, join a chapter. Chapter membership is included in the new member rate, simply check the chapter that interests you the most or is closest to you geographically.

The Pennsylvania Guild has 17 chapters, a full listing can be found on our Chapters webpage.

Are you looking for something warm to do this weekend?  Check out “The Craftsman’s Journey-Enhancing Peoples Lives”, the newest exhibit at the Mechanicsburg Museum.  This exhibition features the work of craftsman in the Yellow Breeches chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, including woodworker Doug Starry and enamelist  Averill Shepps.

Opening this Saturday (Feb. 13th), the show goes through May 1st.  There will be a public reception on Sunday (Feb. 14) between 2-4pm.

This is our newest weekly post that will highlight the previous and current week’s Guild and craft news.  Newspaper articles, awards, upcoming events and anything else worth sharing.  You can help, by sending me news-worthy emails to nick@pacrafts.org.

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In the News

courtesy of Reading-Eagle - photo by Ryan McFadden

Our Reading-Berks chapter decorated the tree at the Governor’s Mansion with over 500 handmade ornaments:  Reading Eagle article (12/3), WFMZ-TV video footage (12/3) and Pottstown Mercury (11/28).  They also met Mrs. Rendell, had lunch in the state dining room and were given a tour.

The Guild’s 2010 show applications have been posted online.  The 2010 schedule includes three fine craft fairs plus a new fine craft market on April 17 & 18 in Lancaster held during the Spring ArtWalk.  Chapter events and a Lancaster Home show partnership are also included.  Full details at the link above.

We’re entering our final month of our Handmade Holiday store at our 252 N. Prince St Lancaster gallery.  Remember to give handmade this year and stop on in to see our ever-changing selection.

Three hands-on workshops are scheduled for the weekend of January 30.  Pendant-making, Glass-blowing and Precious Metal Clay.  We’re also hold a Photoshop for Artists class on January 16.

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Are you a Guild member or with a chapter?  Have you received an award recently or have an upcoming chapter special event?  Send an email to nick@pacrafts.org and we’ll try to get your news-worthy item online.

The Guild is comprised of 17 chapters throughout the commonwealth stretching from Bedford county to Bucks county.  We’ll feature them periodically on our blog.

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from Janice Ritenuti, president Chester County Craft Guild

We are very excited to once again host our Holiday show at the West Pikeland Township Cultural Center. This show attracts a high-end audience as the Village is known for arts & crafts events.  There will be a wide variety of exhibitors – wood working, textiles, pottery, jewelry, glass, tiles and mosaics

Twenty six craftsmen, including sixteen CCCG members will be exhibiting their work.  Several of the crafters will demonstrate during  the show.  A popular feature is the free raffle for the basket of gifts donated by the craftsmen. A  raffle ticket is included with admission price of $3 (or $2 with postcard or newspaper coupon.)

There will be a special dining room display of work by the chapter members. All of the tabletop items will be handmade as well as the chairs made by member Jim Stevens.

Directions to the show:  The West Pikeland Township Cultural Center is located at 1645 Art School Rd, Chester Springs, PA  within the historic area of Yellow Springs.  From Exton, take Rt 100 north for 3 miles; turn right on Rt 113;  go about 3 miles and turn left on Yellow Springs Rd; turn right at the fork onto Art School Rd.  Go about 100 yds to the Center on the left; free parking is available just past the center on the left.

Some would argue its the best kept secret of the Guild’s shows.  I agree.  The Best in Pennsylvania Crafts gallery exhibit is held annually during our Holiday Fine Craft Fair in Lancaster and serves as a showcase for juried members of the Guild.

Every year there’s a theme (this year’s is Go Green) and every year there’s a load of money given out in awards (this year $2450).  Awards range from Best in Fiber to Most Creative Use of Material, Excellence in Craftsmanship to Most Humorous.  The most prized awards are Best in Show, Craftsmen’s Choice and People’s Choice.

The ‘choice’ awards are tallied by voting all weekend long from attendees of the show (the People’s Choice) and exhibitors in the show (Craftsman’s Choice).  All of the awards are generously given annually by chapters of the Guild ~ thank you who give!  A full list of this year’s awards are at www.pacrafts.org/gallery as well as those who are vying for them.

So when you come to the show this weekend (and you are planning to attend), make sure to vote for your favorite piece.  Perhaps you’ll choose Bev Zimmerman’s Green Box, which is shown above.

Beth Aten, of Lewisburg, dyes, paints and prints fabrics and papers for her one of a kind wall hangings and gift items.  Her work, which she has been making for over twenty years, ranges in size from very small framed works to very large installations.  Her gift items include table runners, pins, scarves and ornaments.

She will be exhibiting her work at two upcoming guild shows; in Lancaster this weekend at the Manheim Township High School and with the Central PA chapter in State College at the Winter Craft Market on December 5th and 6th.  You can also see her work at Handmade Holiday at our 252 N. Prince St gallery in Lancaster.

Visit Beth’s blog, http://studiodays.wordpress.com, to read news from her studio and see her available works for sale.

The Guild is comprised of 17 chapters throughout the commonwealth stretching from Bedford county to Bucks county.  We’ll feature them periodically on our blog.

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Guild members of the Reading-Berks Chapter have been invited to each make five (5) ornaments to adorn Governor and Mrs. Edward Rendell’s Christmas Tree and Garland on the grand staircase in the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg. W. Eugene Burkhart, Jr. and Pat Oxenford wrote a letter to Governor Rendell in May requesting that the Reading-Berks Chapter decorate the 2009 Governor’s Christmas Tree.

By the end of June a reply was received and members have been invited to participate in this prestigious event. We hope to have a minimum of 300 ornaments and would be elated to have 400 to decorate the 18-foot tall tree. The theme of the 2009 holiday season decorations is “Believe” and each member may intrepret their ornaments accordingly.

A group of 10 members will actually visit the Governor’s mansion on December 2nd to decorate the tree. The Governor and Mrs. Rendell will host an open house from December 5th through 13th to view this year’s decorations. On  December 13th the chapter is hosting a bus trip for members to view the tree. BCTV will also accompany us on each trip to document this event which will be the feature program on the December 16th BCTV’s “Your Berks Craftsmen” hosted by Gene Burkhart. A video and DVD will also be available for purchase from BCTV.

The Guild is comprised of 17 chapters throughout the commonwealth stretching from Bedford county to Bucks county.  We’ll feature them periodically on our blog.

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from Bonnie Lenkner, president York Town Craft Guild

The York Town Craft Guild – Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen is holding its 14^th Annual Christmas at the Guild craft show.  This is a premier craft show in a gallery setting offering the finest in hand made arts and crafts.  The event will be held November 5-8 with an opening reception on November 4^th for members and guests.

The show is held at 639 N. Franklin Street (Windsor Park area) York, Pa.  This is the former Friendship Fire Hall and the current home of the York Town Craft Guild.

There are three rooms of handmade crafts on two floors to enjoy and purchase.  In addition to the juried work from our members the Gallery Painters from the York Art Association will again partner with us for the show.

For more information about the show, pictures of 2008 event or participant information please check our website www.ytcg.org click on the Christmas at the Guild information.

We hope everyone stops by on October 31 & November 1 to wish our Reading-Berks chapter a happy 60th anniversary at their Holiday Craft Show at the Kutztown University Field House.

Our September jury session took place yesterday in Doylestown and was hosted by the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen.  The following members attained juried status.

• Deena Ball - watercolors
• Richard Carner - woodturning
• Regina Ewer - jewelry
• Jeff J Haude - furniture
• Michael Lindstrom -furniture
• Susan Wertheimer David - pottery
• Susan Fleischer - polymer clay
• Brad Smith - furniture
• Jacqueline ter Kuile - jewelry
• Eric Weit – fiber