Tasteful, Inspired, Creative, and Affordable; these words best describe the range of fine arts and crafts that will be available at the Chestertown RiverArts Holiday Show and Sale, November 20 – December 26. Every year these guidelines serve the customer well as RiverArts provides works that are beautifully hand-crafted, often unique, and often one-of-a-kind. There will be paintings, photographs, pottery, prints, jewelry, textiles, hand-made books, wood art and holiday arrangements. Last year there were over 1000 gifts for sale. We expect a large turn-out again this year, taking up both galleries.
Sue Wright, curator of the show, has encouraged artists to bring in gifts for men, women, children, pets and the home and suggested that most items be priced under $100. She also encouraged painters and photographers to bring in miniatures – small pieces that will make original art an affordable present. For example, Elise Sinatro will be bringing in a series of miniature abstract paintings in wonderful color combinations, 6”x6” in size: these can be bought individually, as a pair, or as a grouping. Jody Primoff will be putting in 15 small, framed paintings plus a few matted pieces. She said it’s been a lot of fun trying to make these pieces in spite of their small size into exciting finished paintings. She picks up little frames here and there, and then creates paintings to fit the frame. Here is a real opportunity to get a wonderful painting by a very popular artist.
RiverArts is known for its talented fiber artists. Many of these popular artists will be returning and several new artists will be contributing to the show this year. Alice Pickett-Lewis will be bringing in her felted potholders which were extremely popular last year; they are practical while also beautiful as Alice combines rich colors.
Well-known among the fiber artists are knitters all of whom make varied items, using different wools and all love playing with texture and color. Ronnie Edelman will be submitting a range of items including pet sweaters, children’s clothes, and ladies’ shawls, scarves and apparel. Master Knitter, Sue Wright, is using a new approach to knitting cowls/scarves which give them a lovely draped effect. Sheila Austrian has made caps and fingerless mittens. Connie Metcalf will be bringing in several shawls, scarves, felted bags and hats.
Other fiber artists include Joan Brown who hand-stitches felted, vintage wool with antique buttons, beads, charms and embroidery. She creates brooches, purses, scarves, and Christmas ornaments. There will also be a number of quilters. Judi Gunther is an abstract quilt artist who uses a blend of textiles, fibers, and interfacings to create sculptural-like dimension and textures to her work. She will bring in a number of small quilts that can be used as wall art. Christine Kamon’s quilted items range from small mug rugs and table toppers to small hangings and lap quilts.
There will also be several jewelry artists two of whom are especially popular. Joy Berghaus is inspired by color, texture and feel of combinations of glass, metal, semi-precious stones and wire to create one-of-a-kind pieces. She often incorporates antique jewelry and buttons into her designs. Her necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are individually designed using beading, knitting, and crocheting with wire.
Char Guschl of Rockn’N Roses designs jewelry predominately with semiprecious stones. She incorporates the compatibility of the stones in their traditional meanings and believed to be healing qualities. Rock ‘N Roses’ pieces are never duplicated for that reason.
Unusual this year is the work by Ann Farley who creates 3-dimensional paper designs of bright colors and fun shapes all individually cut by hand. She will be bringing in original cut-paper artwork, along with canvas giclees, greetings cards, and coasters of her most popular designs.
There will be many other art forms such as holiday centerpieces by Alex Rudderow, woven baskets by Heidi Wetzel, hand-crafted books by Stephanie Somers, puzzle book wooden shelves by Chuck Engstrom, a star knot series that can be used in many ways by Bonnie Clark and, of course, plenty of pottery. Many other artists will be participating.
RiverArts is located at 315 High Street, Suite 106. Gallery hours during this show will be Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm, First Friday, December 4, 10am-8pm, and Sundays, noon-4pm.
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