Artisan Fair Highlights Local Talent in Philadelphia’s Historic District
Media Contact:
Jennifer Sherlock
jsherlock@jennacommunications.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Artisan Fair Highlights Local Talent in Philadelphia’s Historic District
“U.S. handmade wares displayed steps from the Liberty Bell”
PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2016— CRAFT PHILA LIBERTY BELL FAIRS will hold its fifth show and sale this Spring on Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Showcasing the original wares of 50+ artisans, the fair will be staged steps from the iconic Bell. The historic destination at Sixth and Chestnut Streets welcomes 2.2 million tourists a year.
Invited local talent will be joined by national artists who will display and sell their US handmade craft, art, and fashion under tents on tree-lined sidewalks. CRAFT PHILA’s charitable beneficiary is the Center for Creative Works. An art studio for adults with developmental disabilities, their artistry will be exhibited and sold at the weekend fair.
Shoppers from around the world can expect to experience American-made creativity in a spectrum of styles, while meeting the talented makers! Juried and curated, the semi-annual open-air marketplace has something special for guests of all ages, and budgets.
From ceramics and jewelry to giclée prints and photography, handcrafted works in metal, glass, and mixed-media created for the home, work space, and garden can be found along side fashion and accessories galore. Graphic art, upcycled and recycled products, and of course Philly-centric goods are all part of the shopping mix.
CRAFT PHILA will offer family-friendly activities as well. The popular Kids Art Zone will have a mask-making project that ties-in with fair mascot MAX. An Andy Warhol-inspired make&take will involve collages using hand-painted papers. That hands-on activity cleverly ties-in with the event’s countdown campaign and social media banners.
Artisan-made edibles, a winning line-up of food trucks that will be serving savory and sweet dishes all day, massage, lots of fun freebies, and prize drawings are part and parcel. Set to foot-tapping music, surrounded by history, museums, and greenery, the two-day fair is free to attend, rain or shine.
“Philadelphia’s leading source for Arts & Entertainment news, ”Philly Weekly has signed on as CRAFT PHILA’s media sponsor.
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About: CraftPhila [dot] org, est 2011, designs, builds, and produces arts and culture events and is currently filing for non-profit, tax-exempt status.
Beginnings: Conceived as a US and global-minded arts tradition at America’s epicenter, and intended as an opportunity for master and hipster artists to reach an international clientele at a one-of-a-kind famous venue, CRAFT PHILA premiered in June 2014.
The first show and sale was located on 6th between Market and Ranstead and has since expanded onto both Market and Chestnut between 6th and 7th. (Happily, no construction is scheduled during season three at brick and mortar neighbors, la Colombe Coffee and Independence Beer Garden.)
Shoppers: 6000+ expected. Local-regional-international attendees. Family, couple, friends, and solo guests. Global tourists: 4000+ Liberty Bellvisitors per weekend.
Mascot: CraftPhila [dot] org is the only arts entity in the country to have a mascot. Art-inspired MAX is a spin-off creation from the nearby ‘Dream Garden’ mosaic that depicts a painting by Maxfield Parrish. The 15 x 49-foot glass mosaic was crafted by Tiffany in 1916 at the beginning of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
Producers: CraftPhila [dot] org founders and fair producers are artists Leslie Manas and Jean Huffenus. She, a Philly native and published author, and her French husband, an award-winning master jeweler also exhibit their fine jewelry collections at the fairs. Since founding their studio/workshop on Jewelers Row in 1985, they have been pro bono mentors to students from UArts, Tyler and Moore Art Colleges. The passionate, multi-lingual pair behind this kismet legacy met in a mirror’s reflection eons ago and live in a garden home near Navel Square.
Overview
Held in view of the iconic Liberty Bell and Independence National Historical Park, CRAFT PHILA LIBERTY BELL FAIRS showcase US handmade craft, art, and fashion by local and national makers. Artisan-represented wares are offered in a spectrum of styles and prices. Juried and curated, these semi-annual outdoor fairs also feature fun activities, music and food, and are free to attend. Conceived as a US and global-minded arts tradition at America’s epicenter, event founders and producers are Center City jewelry artists Leslie Manas and Jean Huffenus.
For more information, visit http://www.craftphila.org/
For latest updates, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. #CRAFTPHILA
For press inquiries or to coordinate an interview, please contact Jennifer Sherlock at JENNA Communications | jsherlock@jennacommunications.com | (609) 369-3482