When craft becomes art

The nation’s crafts artists – including some of the best from our area – display their talents at the annual Craft As Art Festival at Nassau County Museum of Art this weekend. It’s more than an “arts and crafts” show, the artisans participating in this showcase demonstrates that, in their hands, crafts can be considered an art form.
Presented by the American Concern for Art and Craftsmanship, which also runs the similar show at Lincoln Center, in Manhattan, this festival highlights the creativity of the nation’s premier crafts artists. They represent every region of the U.S. – 29 states in all – selected by a jury of professional crafts experts.
More than 18,000 uniquely designed original items, with a total estimated value of $18 million, will be on display. One of the most spectacular creations will be presented by marquetry artist Jeffrey Nelson from New Windsor, N.Y. It is a Demi Lune Table fabricated from maple and cherry, with leaves and separate matching mirror, finished with an elaborate veneer of Birdseye Maple, Padauk, Mother of Pearl, Malachite, and twenty additional exotic and hard woods. Taking at least two months to fabricate, this original design set is available for $5,600. However, most items range in price from $50 for a multi-colored enameled ladybug on a lilly pin combining forms and vibrant color to express unique charm and humor from Cynthia Chuang, to $165 for a scarf with cut flower appliqué with beaded centers by Elizabeth Rubidge.
Another highlight is a five feet tall sculptural dress made from colored resins and more than 500 feet of crocheted steel wire by Susan Freda of Riverside, R.I.
Ten thousand people are expected to visit the booths of the master craft-artists who will personally present their creations. These artisans work in wide range of mediums, and they’ll show off a vast array of pieces. Browse among diamonds, rubies and sapphires set in gold and platinum body adornments, designer apparel in many natural fibers, blown and stained glass, as well as hand crafted creations fashioned from exotic, non-endangered woods.

As always, there’s much more. See fine art glass blown before your eyes and live alpacas being shorn, their wool spun and then woven, among other activities.
Be sure to check out the local artists. They include:
n Joan Edelman of Rockville Centre. She creates fiber bags.
n Linda Mendelson, also of Rockville Centre. Her specialty is porcelain jewelry.
n Liane Okamitsu, of Long Beach. She designs jewelry.
Selected artists demonstrate their craft throughout the event.

13th Annual Craft As Art Festival
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.;
Sunday and Monday, 11-12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission: $7, children under 12 free. Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337.