GFS Craft show this weekend

Posted 3/1/11

[caption id="attachment_3247" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="e-i-e-i-o reversible, 100% cotton bib, $12, by Julia Copeland of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA."] [/caption] The Germantown Friends …

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GFS Craft show this weekend

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[caption id="attachment_3247" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="e-i-e-i-o reversible, 100% cotton bib, $12, by Julia Copeland of Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, PA."][/caption]

The Germantown Friends School Juried Craft Show continues to boast a strong showing of artists for its 2011 show, with some exciting new additions. The prestigious show will be held on March 4, 5 and 6, marking the event’s 27th anniversary, and will showcase the fine crafts of 74 individual artists.

The GFS Craft Show spotlights some of the finest craft artists in the country.

“Exhibiting artists represent 23 states, as far-flung as California, Washington, Arizona, Tennessee and all the way up the east coast to Portland, Maine,” said Jennifer Celata, manager of the event. “There are six Philadelphia artists, and another half dozen from the near suburbs—an indication of the health and vitality of our local craft community.”

There are 27 artists new to the show this year, including three in the Emerging Local Artists category. Introduced at the 2009 GFS Craft Show, this category provides a platform for artists who work in Philadelphia and have never before exhibited at the GFS show.

“We are thrilled to be able to extend this opportunity and reemphasize GFS’s commitment to its community and urban location,” Celata said. “Julia Copeland’s colorful children’s clothing line, e-i-e-i-o, and Jahje Ives’s whimsical fabric mobiles, Baby Jives, will certainly be a hit with the parent crowd.”

The richly-colored, intricately-patterned, polymer clay vessels of Emily Squires Levine round out the trio of emerging artists.

The show takes place in the Field House and Scattergood gyms on the school’s campus in historic Germantown. Local restaurants Under the Oak Café and Trolley Car Diner will offer signature dishes, and the GFS Parents’ Association will continue its tradition of providing delicious baked goods in the Café des Artistes, open Saturday and Sunday during show hours. The café space will be hung with artwork created and selected by GFS students, and will host a full schedule of student and faculty musical performances.

The GFS Juried Craft Show has been ranked one of the nation’s 50 best by Sunshine Artist, among the top 10 percent of the nation’s craft shows by the ArtFair SourceBook, and heralded as a “must see” by Philadelphia Magazine. A blind jury of art world professionals, collectors, and craft aficionados review images submitted by applicants, awarding points for originality, craftsmanship and unity of vision. Exhibitors are selected on the basis of their total scores. 
A Preview on Friday evening will offer a first look at the artists’ offerings as well as a silent auction of handcrafted works donated by the exhibitors. Students will entertain, and light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres by Charles Roman Catering will be served.

Proceeds from the event benefit community scholarship and general scholarship programs at Germantown Friends School. Since 1985, more than $1,100,000 has been raised, and $600,000 has been given to the Community Scholars Program, which supports qualified students from the community, and the General Scholarship Fund. A portion of the proceeds is also earmarked for special projects for the school.

The GFS Craft Show is located at Germantown Friends School, 31 West Coulter Street, in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Hours are: Friday, March 4, 6:00- 9:00 p.m.; Saturday, March 5, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 6, noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $10 per adult. Students 18 and under are free. Admission for the Friday Night Preview is $35 in advance, $40 at the door, and good for the entire weekend. Preview party entertainment will be provided by the GFS Jazz Ensemble and A Cappella. Parking is free. Call (215) 301-4711 or visit www.germantownfriends.org/craftshow for information.

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