2011 News Releases

Festival of Fine Craft Named 2011 Top Ten

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations Director
TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108 | FAX: (856) 825-2410
E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org

MILLVILLE, NJ – WheatonArts is pleased to announce that the annual Festival of Fine Craft was named “2011 Top Ten Art Fairs and Festivals” by AmericanStyle Magazine, the national arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers. AmericanStyle's annual readers' polls have earned the magazine national recognition for being the premier arts travel resource.

Each year the Festival of Fine Craft at WheatonArts draws thousands of visitors from the Mid-Atlantic region. This year’s event, October 1 and 2, features works of art from over 125 juried artists from across the country. Studio art glass, stained glass, creative jewelry designs, unusual metal sculptures, innovative wearables and accessories, intricate baskets, sculptural and functional clay pieces, woodcarvings and turned vessels, handcrafted furniture, and two-dimensional art and photography can be found in the Event Center, in a large tent and throughout the grounds

Featured outdoor artist demonstrations are: Pauletta Berger, Handwovens By Pauletta (weaving),    Vineland, NJ; Robert Broschart (woodturning), Petersburg, NJ; Allan Feinberg, Art In Coin (coin jewelry), Highland Park, NJ; David Field, Field Musical Instruments (wood), West Collingswood, NJ; Mary May (basket making), Forked River, NJ; Jacquelyn Morgan (puppet making), Franklinville, NJ; Merrianne Nichols, Leatherworks (leather working), Dover, DE; Kathryn Reid, Pendulum Bead Studios (polymer clay beadmaking), Martinsville, NJ; Doug Starry, Starry's Woodshop (chair caning), Gettysburg, PA; Alex Alessi and Carmel Verrastro, Alessi & Verrastro Painted Silk (painting on silk), Leeds Point, NJ; Jim Sharpless (mold making), Millville, NJ; Marie Wuelfing, Fused Glass and Bead Jewelry (flameworking), Clarksboro, NJ; and the WheatonArts Volunteer Glassblowers.

Family activities take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. They include: Create A Scarecrow With Your Family; Children’s Crafts; Beginner Basket Making (nominal fee applies); Create A Mural (children of all ages); Facepainting; and the opportunity to participate in the program, “Animals In Need…Design An Adoptable Pet,” in the Glass Studio.

Visitors will be entertained both days from noon to 4 p.m. by Bill Kerwood, interactive strolling magician, PackageGoods Orchestra, a music group from Galloway Township, NJ, and The Cheat Mountain Boys, a dulcimer musicians group.

New additions to the show this year are: “Wine Tasting” courtesy of Balić Winery located in Mays Landing, NJ, where visitors can sample over 27 award-winning premium and ultra-premium wines; and “Create Your Own Silk Scarf” with Ebru Rich Silk Designs located in front of the Museum of American Glass (fee required).

The WheatonArts team of artists in the Glass Studio will present “The Great Square Pumpkin” both days. Pumpkin blowing will be continuous throughout the day with narrated demonstrations at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Glass Pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors will be available for purchase in the Glass Pumpkin Patch located across from the Glass Studio.

The Festival includes a variety of food and refreshments such as kettle corn, Italian specialties, fresh fruits, barbeque, seafood and grilled items. Sweet Suites Bake Shoppe Café, on site at WheatonArts, will offer sandwiches, beverages and baked goods.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The event is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Saturday admission: $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. Sunday admission: $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Senior Adults and all children 17 and under are admitted free. (WheatonArts received a grant of $35,000 from PNC Arts Alive to support “Family Fun Days,” every Sunday through December 18, 2011, where all children 17 and under are admitted free.)

Festival Special: Ticket good for both days with “Tomorrow Pass” which is available upon request. Free parking. For more information, call 1-800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for special accommodations. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State. Additional funding provided through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism. Additional funding provided by the Cumberland County Urban Enterprise Zone