Discover One-of-a-Kind Crafts, Emerging Artists, and Interactive Demonstrations at the American Craft Council Show in San Francisco

New in 2010: Handmade Under $100 and Lawn and Garden Categories; ‘$5 after 5’ event offers extended show hours and a chance to participate in a CRAFT BAR DIY workshop on Friday, August 13. The American Craft Council Show takes place at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, August 13-15

San Francisco (PRWEB) July 8, 2010

The American Craft Council Show in San Francisco arrives at Fort Mason Center, August 13 -15, with new categories and new interactive events. Debuting this year are the Handmade Under $100 category, which showcases artists who make work at price points of $100 or less, and Lawn and Garden, highlighting artists who make furniture and décor for the outdoors. A special '$5 After 5’ Friday night event offers $5 admission after 5 p.m. to shop, sample wines and participate in a DIY craft lesson at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art CRAFT BAR with ETSY Labs, right on the show floor. Children can exercise their creativity as well, at a MakeArt craft workshop on Saturday afternoon, sponsored by San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design. The largest juried craft show in the West, The American Craft Council Show in San Francisco features 250 artists from the Bay Area and beyond. The show celebrates the spirit of making and owning handmade objects and also will feature an AltCraft section of special juried indie artists, a green craft category, and live demonstrations.

“The 2010 American Craft Council Show showcases the variety, ingenuity and quality of craft on the West Coast,” said Bernadette Boyle, Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Craft Council. “By adding the new Handmade Under $100 and Lawn and Garden categories and introducing hands-on demonstrations for children and adults, we hope to inspire a new audience and new generations of visitors to explore craft and celebrate the Bay Area’s thriving culture of making.”

Some of this year’s exhibiting Bay Area artists include:

• GLASS JEWELRY – Jay Bridgland of Oakland, CA creates hand blown, contemporary ‘glass couture’ necklaces.
• FASHION UNDER $100 – Bonnie Wells of Walnut Creek, CA whips up intricately-dyed and pleated silk scarves and wraps, as well as felted handbags, with some pieces under $100.
• FURNITURE – Ashley Eriksmoen of Oakland, CA sculpts original wood and upholstered furniture and furnituresque objects.
• JEWLERY – Sandra Enterline of San Francisco, CA fashions one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces by perforating sheets of silver, allowing light to penetrate the hundreds of tiny perforations.
• HOME DÉCOR – Jerry and Deborah Kermode of Sebastapol, CA utilizes recycled and sustainably-harvested wood to form wood-turned bowls and vases.
• LAWN AND GARDEN – Marilyn Mackenzie of Capitola, CA crafts animal-inspired light fixtures, wall hangings, fountains and other outdoor décor out of terra cotta and clay.
• GREEN HOME DECOR – Carol Tao of Sunnyvale, CA forms nature-inspired paper wall hangings using handmade and recycled paper.
• CERAMICS – Peggy Loudon of Arcata, CA crafts elegant porcelain vases, pots and bowls finished with soft, subtle glazes.

HIGHLIGHTS AT THE 2010 AMERICAN CRAFT SHOW IN SAN FRANCISCO:

‘$5 AFTER 5’ EVENT
A Friday evening event on August 13, from 5 - 8 p.m. ‘$5 after 5’ offers a chance to shop the show, sample wines and participate in the Museum of Craft and Folk Art CRAFT BAR with ETSY Labs for only $5. Radio personality Renee Richardson of KFOG 104.5 will emcee.

CHILDREN'S CRAFT WORKSHOP
San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design brings their popular MakeArt Children's Workshop to the show floor. Children can create their very own work of art to take home! Saturday, Aug. 14, 1-3pm in the Demo Area in Festival Pavilion. Free with admission to the show.

LIVE CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
Live craft demonstrations will be presented throughout the show, including:

• Clay hand-building demonstration led by show ceramic artist Lynn Wood
• Wood turning demonstration led by show wood artist Jerry Kermode

HANDMADE UNDER $100 – New in 2010, this category highlights artists who make a portion of their work at price points of $100 or less. Perfect for those starting a collection.

LAWN & GARDEN – New in 2010, this category features artists who craft outdoor and lawn-specific furniture, décor, accessories and more.

GREEN CRAFT – Introduced in 2008, the green craft category spotlights craft created with eco-friendly materials and sustainable processes. Designated green craft booths help visitors shop for style and for the environment.

ALTCRAFT – Introduced in 2008, this section features 15 indie artists who will display their work in a shared market-style space in the Festival mezzanine area. The Council is proud to present a national stage for these artists who tend to exhibit their work at smaller, local craft shows.

WINE TASTINGS IN TWO PAVILIONS – Wine tastings in both pavilions marry craft and wines from featured vineyards.

SHOW DATES, TIMES, ADMISSION AND LOCATION:

WHERE:    
Fort Mason Center, The Herbst and Festival Pavilions.

Located between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge on San Francisco Bay; entrance is at the intersection of Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, in the Marina district.

PARKING:    
Paid valet parking is available or visitors may park offsite at the Marina Green and take the complimentary shuttle bus to Fort Mason.

WHEN:        
Friday, August 13     (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
Saturday, August 14 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Sunday, August 15     (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

TICKET    INFO:
$12 one day pass – $5 show admission at the door after 5 p.m. on Friday, August 13 only
$18 for a two day pass
$2 advance purchase discount online: $10 one day passes and $16 two day passes available at http://www.craftcouncil.org/sf

Children 12 and under admitted free    
American Craft Council members admitted free

Introductory annual membership in the American Craft Council is $25 and includes free access to all Council shows and a year-long subscription to the recently redesigned AMERICAN CRAFT magazine.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets online: visit http://www.craftcouncil.org/sf or contact the American Craft Council at 1-800-836-3470.

SPECIAL EVENTS    
‘$5 After 5’
Friday, August 13
Discounted admission of $5 from 5 to 8 p.m. No discount offers apply.

San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design’s MakeArt Workshop for Kids
Saturday, August 14, 1-3 p.m.
Demo Area in Festival Pavilion
Free with proof of paid admission to the craft show

Museum of Craft and Folk Art CRAFT BAR with ETSY Labs
Friday, August 13, 5-8 p.m.
Demo Area in Festival Pavilion
Free with proof of paid admission to the craft show or ‘$5 after 5’ event    

AVAILABLE RESOURCES:

• Interviews with AltCraft artists exhibiting at the American Craft Council Show in San Francisco
• Interviews with Bernadette Boyle, Director of Marketing and Communications for the American Craft Council
• High-resolution images
• Website: http://www.craftcouncil.org/sf
• Follow the Council on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Craft-Council-Show-in-San-Francisco and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/craftcouncil

Editors, please note:
Media interested in attending/covering the American Craft Council Show in San Francisco should contact Jessica Lee at (415)359-2312 or jessica(at)landispr(dot)com.

About the American Craft Council
The American Craft Council's mission is to champion craft. As a national, nonprofit public educational organization founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb, the Council actively promotes the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft through its bimonthly magazine American Craft, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, leadership conferences, awards for excellence, research library, workshops and seminars. For additional information visit http://www.craftcouncil.org.

###