Thanks Handmade Arcade!

Handmade Arcade was amazing this year! I was skeptical about the new venue - Pittsburgh's Convention Center - but it was a really positive move. There was more space than ever to shmooze the vendors with out fearing you may be crushed to death. The space was well filled and well organized with a separate space for demo's and hands-on activities such as our own paper chopstick project, printing a giant image of a Jackalope with A.I.R., and bunny pom-poms with Alicia Kachmar. I loved seeing some new faces and seeing new product from old faces. We can't for the next one.

Bravo to the organizers, it's not easy putting on an event of any size, and this one was big!

New Exhibition is finally here!

Bridge 11: Lia Cook, Mariko Kusumoto, Anne Drew Potter

This new exhibition is REALLY awesome. There is a lot to look at, so make sure you have ample time when you visit. 

Mariko Kusumoto's metal work is particularly intricate with dozens of small pieces in each work. Some of the piece even have small cranks and levers that make then move or even play music. Unfortunately not on their own, but there are great animations on our website so that you can see the work in action!

Lia Cook is developing a whole new direction in her work that involves a very scientific process. As part of her exhibition there is an installation component in which the artist invites you to help with her new research. Before entering the installation viewers are given a packet of info telling them which side to enter and asking them to fill out some questions, such as " Write one word that describes the emotion you feel in response to the piece" . After the exhibition closes the visitor data gathered will be analyzed and participants who opt in will receive the results. 

Anne Drew Potters 16-figure installation commands the front of the gallery space with the expressive and gestural manner of the individual pieces. 

Hope you all have an opportunity to come see the show, but if not you can see it all on our website!

It's been a great run

This is the last week to catch DIY: A Revolution in Handicrafts at the Society for Contemporary Craft. Seriously, it's closing on March 26th. This has been a really great show with amazing artists, cool demonstrations and activities, excellent reviews, and insightful interactions. 

I would personally like to thank these folks for helping us make it happen:

Elizabeth Perry

Locally Toned

Bike PGH

Pittsburgh Filmmakers

Faythe Levine

Handmade Arcade

Pittsburgh Craft Collective

Knit One

Alicia Kachmar

Craft-O-Tron

Creative Reuse PGH

ReadyMade Magazine

Communiteach 
Tugboat Printshop

Oh my gosh, there are so many people and groups that helped out, the list would have to be a million pages long. For those I didn't list, you are not forgotten, I meant to say, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart!"

Brickpitt Ceramic Studio

I had the opportunity to meet Heather Connolly, owner and founder of Brickpitt Ceramics Studio - a new facility located in Penn Hills. I am really excited about my visit this weekend to check it out, the photos of the studio look fantastic!

Potter in Progress

Anne Drew Potter is hard at work preparing for her exhibition here at SCC. These are some shots of her work in progress.

Crocheted Coral Update!

The Hyperbolic Coral Reef is on view at the Smithsonian through April 24, 2011. We blogged about this amazing project months ago. It is SO worth checking out! For some more info visit the Museums website.

Well Loved

Love, by Cydwoq

With Valentine's Day approaching, Director of Exhibition's, Kate Lydon, shared with me one of her most loved possessions. Her boots. Even though she can no longer wear them - at least not in the winter - she still holds onto them. Admiring the the well-worn, hand-crafted leather boots, Kate tells me that she has worn them every day for at least two years. Hoping to have them repaired, we are sending images to the maker to see if it is even possible.