The Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show is set to return, and once again, visitors can find a showcase of unique work from creatives around the country.
Established in 1977, the PMA Craft Show was launched as the first retail craft show organized by a volunteer committee to benefit a non-profit institution. As a release notes, over its history, the Craft Show has evolved into a premier platform for craft education featuring symposia, artist demonstrations, tours, exhibitions, and guest artist programs representing various countries. Now presented annually by The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Craft Show Committee, the showcase is back and bigger than ever.
2024 marks the 48th year of this activation, which transforms the Pennsylvania Convention Center into a “hub of creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic excellence.” Taking place from Nov. 14 to 17, this year’s show will feature 195 artists from around the country, each differing in range, medium and style.
Highlights include Philadelphia’s own Morgan Sims, known for his neon wall art, and Maria Albornoz, whose pottery transforms everyday rituals. As the release also notes, ceramics enthusiasts will also appreciate the intricate porcelain pieces by Lisa Belsky and the functional, beautifully crafted pottery by Teresa Chang. Many artists also create their work around recycled, repurposed, sustainable, ethically sourced materials, like Yulija Wolf’s leather branding and Stacey Lee Webber’s repurposed vintage coins.
Another focal point of the Craft Show is the international guest artist program. In 2024, visitors will find jewelry, leatherwork, and glass spanning 24 different artists from Italy. Saturday during the multi-day run will also feature a fashion show where wearable art will be offered by different artisans. Guests can additionally check out the Studio Art Quilt Association (SAQA) booth (which is exclusive to this year), featuring contemporary textile art and cutting-edge quilting techniques.
“What sets this show apart is the on-site artists displaying their newest work and ready to share their stories during show hours,” said PMA Contemporary Craft Show Manager Nancy O’Meara in a previous statement. “All work is for sale, and the artists receive 100% of their sales.”
The show kicks off with a Preview Night on Nov. 14, from 4 to 9 p.m. Preview tickets grant access to this special cocktail event, plus entry to the entire show for all four days. It also gives you the chance to mix and mingle with all of the different artists involved in this creative extravaganza on a more intimate level.
Friday, Nov. 15 holds an Artist Interactive Scarf Tying Presentation titled ‘Fit to be Tied.’ This activation takes place at 1 p.m. and features Isabelle Gougenheim, Mary Jaeger, Yuh Okano, and Gina Pannorfi. Each artist will share with guests the many ways to style their distinctly different scarves and shawls. A full schedule of distinct programming can be found online.
The PMA Craft Show will run Nov. 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets (various prices) are available online. For more information about the Craft Show and this year’s featured artists, visit pmacraftshow.org. Other details are available via Instagram and Facebook.
