MILLVILLE, NJ – Each year the Festival of Fine Craft at WheatonArts draws thousands of visitors from the Mid-Atlantic region. The event, named “2011 Top Ten Fairs and Festivals” by AmericanStyle Magazine, takes place October 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

The Festival of Fine Craft 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.

Among the 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; 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; Amy Blevins, Bead and Glass Boutique (Bead Weaving), Pitman, NJ; Robin Debracini, Debreceni Clayprints (Clay Monoprints), Wenonah, NJ; and the WheatonArts Volunteer Glassblowers.

The Third Star Fibre Artists Guild from Salem, NJ, will be in the Event Center lobby area.

Family activities take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. They include: Create A Scarecrow With Your Family; Create A Mural (children of all ages); Facepainting; Paper Beads, Sugar Skulls, and Faux Stained Glass Pumpkin Window Hanging.

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.

Additional activities include: “Wine Tasting” courtesy of Balić Winery located in Mays Landing, NJ, where visitors can sample over 27 award-winning premium and ultra-premium wines; “Create Your Own Silk Scarf” with Ebru Rich Silk Designs (fee required); and Aluminum Casting Scratch Mold Workshop with Stephen Morse (fee required).

The WheatonArts artists in the Glass, Ceramics and Flameworking Studios will be working throughout the weekend. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Glass Studio where the staff will be blowing glass pumpkins of all shapes, colors and sizes each day. Hundreds of glass pumpkins 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. The Sweets Suite Bake Shoppe Café, on site at WheatonArts, offers sandwiches, salads, 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 from PNC Arts Alive to support “Family Fun Days,” offered every Sunday through December 30, 2012, 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 additional needs. 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, New Jersey Cultural Trust, 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