Klimt02 Members at the Contemporary Craft Show in Philadelphia

Artist list

Kathleen Dustin, Katja Toporski

The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art presents this annual juried Craft Show as a fundraiser for the Museum. Over the last 39 years more than $11.7 million in proceeds went to the Museum. The impact of the Show can be seen throughout the Museum with Craft Show funds used to purchase or support hundreds of items and improvements and renovations, the purchase of a digital asset management system, and programs including the Art Splash family program special exhibition and last year’s exhibit, International Pop.
 
“We are excited to kick-off our 40th Craft Show with the announcement of our jury selected artists joining us this year,” said Gwen Goodwill Bianchi, Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Chair. “The art promises to be a mix of traditional, cutting edge, and innovative pieces from established artists, emerging artists, and university art school students.”
 
The Show offers visitors the unique opportunity to meet 195 of the country’s finest craft artists and to learn about and purchase their one-of-a-kind works, including: glass, baskets, jewelry, both wearable and decorative fiber, metal, paper, leather, furniture, ceramic, wood, and mixed media.
 
“We have been very fortunate to have been selected to participate in the Craft Show for the past 35 years,” said Artists Roberta and David Williamson. “We love connecting with the attendees, some who have traveled from as far away as California and Mexico, to see us and the other craft artists. As artists, our work is our voice and we treasure the incredibly meaningful conversations we have with the attendees at the show. It is a privilege to be part of such an extraordinary group of artists who are continually pushing the limits and setting the trends.”  / Veronica Mikitka Reed​
 
Many of the artists at this year’s Craft Show have pieces in collections at The Smithsonian Museum of America Art, The Racine Art Museum, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Saks Fifth Avenue, and other private museum collections. They also have published works, and sold their pieces to celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Young, Uma Thurman, Alex Baldwin, Jack Nicholson, Ralph Lauren, Steve Martin, and President Barack Obama.


About The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show was founded in 1977 as the first retail craft show established and organized by a volunteer committee for the benefit of the Museum. This trailblazing show has served a s a prototype for successful shows. The Show is presented every November by the Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was begun by Ben Franklin’s great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Gillespie, in the 1800s. In 2015 the PMA Craft Show raised $845,000 for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The impact of the Show can be seen throughout the Museum with funds purchasing or supporting hundreds of items, programs, and improvement. For more information, visit pmacraftshow.org, or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to go behind the scenes.
 
About The Women’s Committee
Founded in 1883, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Women’s Committee is one of the oldest organizations of women in support of a cultural institution in the county. Its mission is to raise funds for the museum and its exhibitions. Over the years, the organization has raised millions of dollars and their efforts have helped to influence every gallery and program within the Museum.