Peters Valley Crafts and artists to show off wares
AUGUSTA — If 7,000 visitors per year are any indication that Peters Valley 44th Annual Fine Craft Show is an event not to be missed, then this is the weekend to see for yourself.
It has gotten so big that they had to move the fair from its original location at Peters Valley to the Sussex County Fairgrounds to accommodate all of the people who show and attend. This also enables the event to go on rain or shine. There will be 150 artist/exhibitors from all over the country.
“What makes this year even more outstanding,” said Lindsay K. Gates, the Development Director, “are the special judges and the fact that so many of our own artists at Peters Valley will be exhibiting so that people can see their work.”
Judging the exhibit to see who will get 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prizes and Honorary Mention Awards are Jan Huling, a very well known artist, famous for beaded sculptures, Darren Fisher, a metal sculptor and Harvey Fein, a contemporary wood turner. All three are from New Jersey.
Local artists
New to Peters Valley and to the event are Artist/Fellow Chrysta Romano, a fine metals artist who will be demonstrating and creating enameled jewelry. With her and also new to Peter's Valley is Special Topics Studio artist/glass worker Signa Ballew, who will do lampwork glass work using a torch to melt glass rods to make beads, etc.
Joining them in the Demonstration Pavilion, otherwise known as the livestock pavilion, will be ongoing demonstrations of weaving, wheel throwing clay to make pottery and a hands on kids activity area. Artists such as Tom Neugebauer who is a ceramic artist, who will be demonstrating pit firing all week at Peters Valley and his wife Judy a jeweler will be there as well as Greg Hicho, a ceramic artist specializing in 3-D tiles. There will also be a woodworker demonstrating timber framing. All of these artists are from Pike County.
In addition to these fine artists, there will be Windsor Chair makers, a host of other ceramic artists, jewelers, fiber artists and contemporary clothing designers. Lindsay says it's a great time to think about gifts and shopping for the holiday season. There will be so many unique things in one spot and it's a chance to browse and also meet all the artists that actually make what is on display.
Get to know Allan Ditton, a pottery exhibitor from Altamont, N.Y.
“All of our work is wheel thrown, high fired, stoneware. The patterns are made using a blue and white slip applied to the piece while wet,” said Allan.
The pattern is intended to resemble waves or reeds blowing in the wind.
“Our color scheme is done to resemble the ocean edge, with the water breaking on the sandy beach. The terracotta on the top of the pieces is a water tight, mat crystalline glaze. We fire cone 10 electric and there is a considerable amount of micro crystal growth where the terracotta and the blue green celadon mix together. We have a new white glaze that has quickly become our best seller.
E. Christopher and Sons is a partnership between Eliza and Christopher. Christopher is a self-taught metal smith, with more than 40 years experience. Eliza has a background in Architectural design, and has been designing jewelry for over 20 years. They live in the Kittatinny Mountains of northwest New Jersey with their two sons. Each year they debut a new snowflake design.
John Best, an exhibitor from Wellfleet, Ma. Produces one of a kind, free-form art glass boxes, free-standing works and windows. Each piece is totally handmade, signed and numbered. These are only a few of the outstanding artists who will be exhibiting this weekend.
Local musicians will also be performing throughout the weekend. Obi Kaye, a drummer, will be performing as well as Chasing June, a duo of contemporary folk musicians. Singer songwriters Emily Barnes and Joe McKay will be performing separately.
This is the largest fund raising event for Peter's Valley and the money raised here goes to fund their community outreach program which enables them to demonstrate and exhibit at events such as the Shawnee Garlic Fest, The Milford Wood Fest and participate at local state fairs where the public can try their hand at different art mediums for free. Doing the outreach programs require them to bring materials and funds raised at this craft fair help pay for the materials used at outreach events. They also benefit their education program and provide scholarships and fellowships to students on a competitive basis.
The event is held every year, traditionally on the last full weekend in September. An added bonus this year is that people can download a dollar off coupon at www.petersvalley.org and can purchase tickets on campus in Layton, N.J. with an automatic discount ahead of the event. Hours for the fair are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information call 973-948-5200.