December 2, 2006 – January 24, 2007
Davenport Gallery
The Wayne Art Center announces that “Craft Forms 2006,” an international juried exhibition of contemporary craft, will open in the Center’s Davenport Gallery on December 2, 2006, and will continue through January 24, 2007. This will be the first exhibition to be held in the new Davenport Gallery.
The twelfth annual “Craft Forms” attracted 726 entries. Juror Gretchen Keyworth chose 106 works by 94 artists for this year’s show, which will feature works in ceramics, wood, fiber, metal, glass and mixed media. Artists from 27 states are represented.
The “Craft Forms 2006” juror, Gretchen Keyworth, is Director and Chief Curator of the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA. Keyworth co-founded Signature galleries in Boston, Chestnut Hill and Mashpee, MA, and Grohe Glass Gallery in Boston, MA. She has served as director and advisor for several prominent craft shows and has independently curated many craft exhibitions. In addition, Keyworth is an advisor and consultant on issues of branding and operating museums.
In conjunction with “Craft Forms 2006,” the Wayne Art Center will offer the “Craft Forms Invitational Exhibition,” featuring works by prior “Craft Forms” award winners. Works by 30 craft artists will be included in this special exhibition, which will be held in the Center’s Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Gallery from December 2, 2006, through January 24, 2007.
“Craft Forms 2006” and the “Craft Forms Invitational Exhibition” will open with a festive Preview Party on Friday, December 1, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Wayne Art Center. This special event will provide guests with a first look at both exhibitions, an elegant reception with both martini and wine bars, a silent auction featuring wine tastings, golf outings, and trips, and sales of fine art, contemporary crafts and fine wine. Jimmy Duffy & Sons, Inc., will provide hors d’oeuvres and dinner, and a Wine Happening with wine importers who will offer a special wine tasting, “From Sangiovese to Cabernet.”
Gretchen G. Keyworth, juror for “Craft Forms 2006,” will be the special guest at the Preview Party. She will present prizes valued at over $3,000 to selected artists featured in this year’s show.
The public is invited to the Center’s Fine Craft Sale on Saturday, December 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Regional craft artists will offer one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, including ceramics, glass, precious and semiprecious jewelry, wood-turned pieces, apparel and hats, handbags and accessories. The sale is free and open to the public.
The Center’s Gallery Shop also will feature craft items for holiday shopping, during the “Craft Forms” Opening Weekend and continuing through January 24.
The public is also invited to two other special “Craft Forms” events. Gretchen Keyworth will deliver a Juror’s Talk, in which she explains her selections for this year’s show, on Saturday, December 2, 2006, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. On Thursday, January 18, 2007, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., selected artists featured in “Craft Forms 2006” will return to the Center for a Meet the Artist Discussion. Both events will be held in the Davenport Gallery and are free and open to the public.