This year’s Craft + Design, a 54-year-old contemporary craft show, will showcase over 150 artists at Main Street Station’s train shed on the weekend of Nov. 16-18, 2018. Over 50 artists will be new to Craft + Design this year and sixty-two percent of the show’s artists will be traveling from out of state. Nine Craft + Design award winners will return to the show this year, including Robin Kittleson, Shanti Yard, Alan Daigre, Tara Locklear, Mindy McCain, Ruchi Gupta, Francesca Vitali, Shellie Bender and Andrea Geer.
VisArts says that it will expand its teacher presence at Craft + Design this year as 20 artists who are instructors at the center will be jurying. Local teachers include Susan Adams, Ingrid Bernhardt, Michael Birch-Pierce, Joel Burman, Merenda Cecelia, Alexis Courtney, Maria Galuszka, Karen Hull, Paul Klassett, Michael Martin, Jeannine Metzfield, Claire McCarty, Philip Mills, Brad Pearson, Al Pellenberg, Julia Pfaff, Alyssa Salomon, Jude Schloetzer, Krisi Totoritis and Jeff Vick.
The McKinnon and Harris Patrons’ Preview Party, taking place on Fri., Nov. 16, will include drinks, hors d’oeuvres and the chance to shop early. Tickets cost $50 for VisArts members and $55 for the general public. The event will feature live music by Kendall Street Company and the following awards will be presented:
- Elisabeth Scott Bocock Best in Show Award Presented by McGuireWoods LLP
- Ceramics Award
- Contemporary Design Award
- Davenport & Company LLC Innovative Use of Traditional Craft Materials Award
- Fiber Award
- Friends of the Wood Studio at VisArts Wood and Recycled Materials Award
- Glass Award
- Martin-Star Cabinetry and Design New Artist Award
- WCVE Precious Metals Award
Patrons’ Preview ticket-holders will automatically gain access to an afterparty at Shockoe Atelier from 9 to 11 p.m hosted by Craft + Design’s local makers and the center’s junior board, the Visual Arts Creative Ambassadors.
A Rise + Shine Brunch, pairing another early shopping opportunity with breakfast, will take place Sat., Nov. 17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. During the brunch, Richmond Magazine will host a panel discussion by interior designers on integrating craft into the home.
Regular shopping hours will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Sat., Nov. 17 and Sun., Nov. 18. General admission tickets cost $10. VisArts members receive one or two free general admission tickets, depending on their level of membership.
Richmonders who would like to attend multiple events over the course of the Craft + Design weekend can purchase a weekend pass here for $75 for members and $80 for the general public. All proceeds from Craft + Design benefit the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.