HandMade in America Offers the Opportunity to Artists to Tell Your Story

HandMade in America would like to feature your story in their Blog, Connected. Send your journey with craft and also take a moment to answer some questions about your HandMade in America experiences.  By participating, you will receive exposure through the blog, newsletters, and social media.

Deadline:
Submit your interview on or before Friday, August 2nd, 2013.

Participation Directions:
Answer the questions below, paste into the body of an email to Lindsey, operations manager or print and return in person.  HandMade is also encouraging you to include 1-3 photos of your work (one of yourself, or you with your work).

 

Questions? Contact Linsey at 828.252.0121 x 303 or lmudge@handmadeinamerica.orgInterview Questions:

Name:
Business Name (if you have one):
Email:
Website:
Medium:

Studio Location or Town/City of Residence:

• What is your story?  How did you get to where you are now with your craft?
• How does your location and your surroundings inspire you?
• Describe your work in 5 words or less?
• How long have you been involved with HandMade in America?
• What HIA services do you use?
• What has been your most memorable experience with HIA?
• What about HIA would you like to be different? (suggestion)  
  
  

HandMade in America Call for Artists

HandMade in America has announced a call for entry for the upcoming exhibition Breaking Ground: Innovative Craft. Pieces should incorporate innovative ideas which help push the boundaries of the medium, and will be judged on technical proficiency, creative use of the medium, and contemporary relevance.

This exhibition is open to craft artists living in the 25 counties of Western North Carolina as defined on the website, www.handmadeinamerica.org.  Craft is defined as made from clay, glass, fiber, metal, wood, recycled/reused materials, and natural products.

The juror for this exhibition is Kathryn Gremley, Director of the Penland Gallery and Visitors Center. Since 1996, Kathryn has curated and installed over 70 invitational exhibitions and 144 instructor exhibits at the Penland Gallery. Off-sight projects include Penland: Mind, Hand, Materials at SOFA Chicago 2004, Iron: A New Vocabulary, an exhibition of contemporary iron which traveled in the south in 2004-05, Identity: Narrative Explorations by Four Penland Artists, at the Milton Rhodes Center in Winston-Salem in 2010, and curatorial assistance for 0-60: The Experience of Time Through Contemporary Craft at the North Carolina Museum of Art and Penland School in 2013.

Important Dates:
Entry Deadline* February 15
Notification of accepted pieces February 21
Delivery to HIA of accepted work February 24-28, 9:30 am-4 pm
Opening Reception March 8, 5:30-8 pm
Selected work pick-up: June 3-5, 9:30 am-4 pm

*This is NOT a postmark deadline. Entries must be received by February 15, 5 pm EST. Submissions can be done via mail or email.

Mail: If you are sending in your entry form by regular mail, please send your CD, entry form, and entry fee to: HandMade in America, Attn: Exhibitions, 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101, Asheville, NC 28801.

E-MAIL: Photos (JPEGS only) and entry form to exhibitions@handmadeinamerica.org with subject line: ‘ATTN: Groundbreaking’. If you are mailing the entry fee in check form to the above address, please include a copy of your entry form. Otherwise, please pay via Paypal on our website, www.handmadeinamerica.org.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL ENTRIES MUST BE DIGITAL. No photographs or slides will be accepted.

PREPARING DIGITAL ENTRIES:
Artists may submit up to three pieces in JPEG format on a standard sized CD or by email to exhibitions@handmadeinamerica.org. Makers may submit up to two JPEGS (one full shot and one detail) per piece. If more than one image is submitted they MUST all be on one CD. All JPEGs must be named with the artist’s last name followed by 01, 02, 02b, etc. All CDs/images must be readable by PC and MAC platforms. Images must be 300 dpi and no more than 5 MB. Images should be oriented correctly. DO NOT submit PowerPoint presentations, automated slide presentations or work on DVD. All CDs must be labeled with the artist’s name and the exhibition entry form must be filled in and submitted with your CD or email. An entry form must also accompany all entries.

ENTRY FEES:
>Non-members: one $15 entry fee per artist (includes up to three pieces)
>Basic members ($25 Level): one $10 fee per artist (includes up to three pieces)
>Artist members ($45 Level): FREE*

*To join as a member, or increase your membership, please visit www.handmadeinamerica.wildapricot.org and choose the ‘JOIN US’ tab

The show is open to two and three dimensional works of craft. Work must be original and completed in the last 2 years. No copies, mechanical reproductions, molds or kit work will be accepted. All work cannot exceed 72″ in any dimension (including frame). 2D work cannot weigh more than 75 lbs. HandMade in America reserves the right to exclude work due to size or special requirements. All two-dimensional work must be dry, wired and ready to hang. No clip frames or alligator hangers. Pieces must be hand delivered to the gallery or mailed with return postage pre-paid in returnable container.

Accepted artists may submit a copy of their resume and/or artist statement by the delivery deadline (Feb. 24-28) to exhibitions@handmadeinamerica.org or deliver with your work.

NOTIFICATION: Accepted pieces will be posted on www.handmadeinamerica.org and sent through an email notification by the end of the day on February 22, 2013.

Accepted work must remain through the entire exhibit. Works not picked up by their respective deadlines (June 5) will be charged a $5 per day fee for storage.

SHIPPING ARTWORK: Please include return postage or shipping fees and sturdy, reusable packing materials clearly labeled with your name and telephone number. Framed works requiring glass must use plexiglass. Do not use styrofoam packing peanuts. Shipments of artwork will be accepted no later than February 28, 5 pm. Hand delivered work will be accepted February 24-28, 9:30 am – 4 pm.

SALES: HandMade will retain a commission of 25% on all work sold during the exhibit. If a work is not for sale please indicate with NFS value in appropriate space on loan agreement.

ELIGIBILITY: Breaking Ground: Innovative Craft is open to all craft artists living in the 25 counties of western North Carolina defined on our website. A maximum of 3 works per artist may be submitted. All works must be original and completed in within 2 years of the entry date (Feb 15). Craft is defined as made from clay, glass, fiber, metal, wood, recycled materials, and/or natural products.

LIABILITY:
All pieces will be handled with the best care possible, but HandMade is not responsible for any damage. HandMade does carry a fine arts insurance policy, but is not responsible for damage caused by normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration, vermin, inherent vice, insurrection, confiscation by public authority, risks or contraband or other illegal transportation of trade. By entering into this show, the artist agrees to abide by all rules and regulations as set by exhibition guidelines. 


QUESTIONS? Email Ryan-Ashley Anderson at exhibitions@handmadeinamerica.org.

HandMade in America Exhibition and Opening Reception

November 30 - February 22 2013 FLUX:A Craft Exchange

 

Opening Reception - Friday, November 30, 5:30pm-8pm at HandMade in America

 

HandMade in America has been working with Flux Studios of Mt. Rainier, Maryland, a suburb of Washington D.C., to exchange exhibits in an effort to share new ideas and demonstrate the importance for artists to stay abreast of national trends. Flux Studios resident artists will be exhibiting work at HandMade in America while artists from the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts will be showing at Flux Studios; these handcrafted items will travel nearly 500 miles.

 

Flux Studios is an arts space in Northeast DC that houses the studios of six professional sculptors, a large classroom space and an informal exhibition gallery. The underlying concept behind Flux is one of exploration, experimentation and dialog among its members and the greater arts community. Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts is an Asheville-based school and studio which promotes the understanding, appreciation and professional development in the ceramic arts.

 

Novie Trump, founder of Flux and one of the residents featured in the exhibition says, “We are delighted to collaborate with HandMade in America on an exchange exhibition.  This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce artists and collectors in the DC area to the work of NC ceramicists.  In addition, the members of Flux are excited to present our work to the arts community in Asheville. This continues our tradition of exchange and our desire to engage in an active dialogue with artists and arts enthusiasts both nationally and internationally.”

 

Participating Artists

Jessica Beels
Andy Hamilton
Inga Hamilton
Jeff Herrity
Tamara Laird
Laurel Lukaszewski
Novie Trump
Elizabeth Vorlicek

For more about HandMade in America information, visit the website at handmadeinamerica.org or contact Yoko Morris at ymorris@handmadeinamerica.org.

HandMade in America Schedule of Craft Labs

Craft Lab at Haywood County Arts Council
Tuesday June 26 from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Exhibition Proposal   Taught by Wendy Outland

Craft Lab at HandMade In America
July 10 from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Artist Critique  Taught by Gwynne Rukenbrod

Craft Lab at Caldwell Arts Council
July 12 from 10-12  - Topic: Pricing Guidelines for Artists   Taught by Wendy Outland

Craft Lab at Haywood County Arts Council 
July 24th from 6-8 pm  - Topic: Arranging and Selling from Your Booth  Taught by Kari Rinn

Craft Lab at Caldwell Arts Council
August 9 from 5:30-7:30 pm  - Topic: How to Get Your Work Seen   Taught by Gwynne Rukenbrod

For details go the HandMade in America

HandMade in America hosts Ladies' Luncheon

June 14, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM at Chef Mo's Restaurant and Bar, 900 Hendersonville Road, #201 in Asheville NC -   HandMade in America cordially invites you to A Ladies' Luncheon  - Please share this invitation with with your lady friends. Seats are limited.  RSVP by June 11 to Rachel Berry at (828) 252-0121 x 305 or rberry@handmadeinamerica.org.

Buy Coffee and help Support HandMade in America

Buy HandMade in America a cup of coffee for $5, enter to win a piece of WNC craft, and get HandMade $35,000.

 

Starbucks is giving $4 million to non-profits all over the country and you get to chose where it goes. HandMade in America is one of 124 non-profits chosen nationwide and one of the smallest of the non-profits chosen in North Carolina. HandMade serves over four thousand craft artists in the 25 county region of Western North Carolina, working within the state of North Carolina. Turn your $5 into at least $50 back to HandMade in America.

 

For the month of April 2012, Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. will give Starbucks customers, for the first time ever, the ability to direct a $4 million investment from the Starbucks Foundation to local non-profits across the U.S. providing innovative community revitalization and needed services for the underserved.

 

HandMade in America was selected to participate based on its belief in the power of the handmade object to transform both individuals and communities through education, entrepreneurship and economic development. HandMade in America has an 18-year tradition for pioneering innovative ways to empower the people and towns of Western North Carolina through programs that educate and facilitate the needs of creative entrepreneurs and communities.

 

The easy way to help:

Donate $5 by clicking this paypal button, and HandMade will buy your community card and vote for you and register you to win a piece of WNC craft.

 

The more involved way to help:

To participate, customers will choose to make their registered Starbucks Cards a “Community Card” by opting in online. Customers can cast votes once per week throughout the month of April. 

Either way, be sure to enter our drawing for free WNC craft items (9 worth at least $20) if you register and vote for HandMade by emailing starbucks@handmadeinamerica.org today.

How to cast your vote:

1.    Go to: www.votegivegrow.com

2.    Click Get Started You can either:

•    create an account with a card you have bought at any Starbucks or Gift Card Mall

•    login to your existing account

•    Send an eGift to yourself, register it and start voting all within a few minutes.

3.     Find HandMade in America by searching community or by organization name (zip code 28801)

4.     Vote HandMade in America!

5.     Sign in each week in the month of April to cast your vote for HandMade in America. You have a total of four votes.

HandMade in America Leadership Workshops

This month's Leadership Workshops from HandMade in America:

April 18 - 19: Tourism Resources Assistance Center (TRAC) regional workshops. April 18, in Bryson City (2-5:30 pm at the Fryemont Inn) and on April 19, in Morganton (10am-2pm at the Morganton Community House) Free, but please RSVP to André Nabors at (919) 733- 7502.

April 24: Basic Grant Writing. A ½ day workshop on planning and preparing a proposal, grant resources, and building relationships with funders. Ridgecrest Conference Center, Black Mountain, NC. Click the following link to register and email Donna Pratt with questions at dpratt@conservationfund.org or call at (919) 951-0116.

 
April 25: Money for Your Mission. A 1-day workshop by Resourceful Communities to give a framework to your fundraising efforts. Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC. Click this link to register and email Donna Pratt with questions at dpratt@conservationfund.org

Friend-raising Dinner for HandMade in America

April 25,  6-9 PM at  Chef Mo's Restaurant and Bar  900 Hendersonville Rd., Suite 201 Asheville, NC -   HandMade in America will be hosting a friend-raising dinner.  RSVP for a Handmade Meal with HandMade in America and featured artist Akira Satake. Enjoy a private four-course dinner and local wine tasting prepared by Chef Mauricio "Mo" Abreu, and each guest will also receive a handmade gift by ceramic artist Akira Satake. $100 per person, space limited. Proceeds from this dinner benefit HandMade in America's efforts to continue growing economies through craft. 

RSVP by April 13  at 828.252.0121 x305 or  rberry@handmadeinamerica.org

Starbucks Selects HandMade in America as Grant Recipient

HandMade in America was selected by Starbucks as a recipient of grant funds from the Starbucks Foundation from a program called Vote.Give.Grow. Starbucks is giving $4 million to non-profits all over the country and you get to chose where the money goes. HandMade in America is one of 124 non-profits chosen nationwide to participate, and one of four for the state of North Carolina. We are the smallest of the non-profits chosen in North Carolina, but we serve over four thousand craft artists in the 25 county region of Western North Carolina providing valuable services.  We are also the only one exclusively working within the state.

 

For the month of April 2012, Community Card: Vote.Give.Grow. will give Starbucks customers, for the first time ever, the ability to direct a $4 million investment from the Starbucks Foundation to local non-profits across the U.S. providing innovative community revitalization and needed services for the underserved.

 

HandMade in America was selected to participate because they believe in the power of the handmade object to transform both individuals and communities through education, entrepreneurship and economic development. HandMade in America has an 18-year tradition for pioneering innovative ways to empower the people and towns of Western North Carolina through programs that educate and facilitate the needs of creative entrepreneurs and communities.

 

To participate, customers will choose to make their registered Starbucks Cards a “Community Card” by opting in online. Customers can cast votes once per week throughout the month of April. Whatever North Carolina non-profit receives the most votes will receive the most money, up to $30,000! We appreciate you passing this along to any of your family or friends who are Starbucks fans. Just tell them to vote for HandMade in America!

How to cast your vote:

1. Go to: www.votegivegrow.com  
2. Click Get Started

                You can either:

• create an account with a card you have bought at any Starbucks or Gift Card Mall
• login to your existing account
• Send an eGift to yourself, register it and start voting all within a few minutes. 

        3. Find HandMade in America by searching community or by organization name 

        4. Vote!

        5. Sign in each week in the month of April to cast your vote for HandMade in America. You have a total of four votes!

WNC Textile Study Group at HandMade in America

March 21, 5:30 PM -  HandeMade in America WNC  Textile Study Groups.  These study groups will be held at 5:30-7 PM on the third Wednesday of every month on various topics in textiles. All are welcome. Meeting will take place at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101. Entrance is on Hilliard Avenue near Church Street, two blocks from the Orange Peel.

Morland Room Drapery Project 1998-1999 - In 1997 Heather was approached by the Biltmore Estate to make a replica of a set of textiles in their collection to create a bed canopy and drapes for the Morland Room, one of the women's guest rooms that were restored and opened to the public in 1999. Her talk will illustrate how she undertook this interesting and challenging project. Heather (Allen) Hietala has worked with textiles for over 20 years in a wide range of techniques and materials. Although her work has expanded into ceramics and mixed media, her sensibilities remain grounded in textiles.

HandMade in America Craft Lab - Wholesale 101

March 13, 6-8 PM at HandMade in America, 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101 in Asheville NC Wholesale 101 - Are you interested in creating a product for the wholesale market? Do you want to better understand the aspects of wholesaling your work? What things do you need to consider? How do you know your product is a good candidate for wholesale? Learn about the wholesale market and the various aspects that need to be considered before you decide to enter the wholesale market.

RSVP at (828) 252-0121 x307 or email jwienke@handmadeinamerica.org


Craft Labs are a series of professional development classes for craft artists that cover topics of How to Engage a Visitor in your Studio, Pricing your Work, Budgeting, Social Networking, Critiques, Artist Statements and many more. They are held from 6-8pm the second Tuesday of each month at HandMade in America's office.

Office Spaces Available at HandMade in America

HandMade in America offices are top quality and a great business incubator space. There are  four office spaces and a board room available for affordadble prices. This would be ideal for creative professionals or organizations. The  HandMade in America office is located at 125 S. Lexington Ave., Suite 101. in Asheville NC.

Details:
2 offices with windows at $600/month, (180 ft2 )
2 offices at $300/month (140 ft2)
1 board room $2000/month (620 ft2)

These office rentals include all utilities, phone, wireless access, shared meeting space, kitchenette, and bathrooms. The space is also handicap accessible.

To get more information contact Gwynne Rukenbrod at grukenbrod@handmadeinamerica.org.

Craft Lab tonight at HandMade in America

February 13, 6-8 PM:   How to Tell Your Story - Telling stories is how we identify, learn, and share our history. If your goal is to educate, persuade, or simply connect in a meaningful way with a particular audience, storytelling is the single most powerful communication tool available to you and can be your best selling tool.

Come learn how to tell your story as a craft maker. Executive Director, Gwynne Rukenbrod will teach you the importance of learning how to tell your unique story and hone your skills at story telling. Gwynne will talk about the three steps in a good story and group exercises will lead you through each step of YOUR story.

HandMade Craft Labs are a series of professional development classes for craft artists that cover topics of How to Engage a Visitor in your Studio, Pricing your Work, Budgeting, Social Networking, Critiques, Artist Statements and many more. They are held from 6-8pm the second Tuesday of each month at HandMade in America's office at 125 South Lexington Ave., Suite 101 in Asheville NC.

New Show at HandeMade in America: In Our Own Words: Language as Craft

February 13- May 4,2012  In Our Own Words: Language as Craft  - The exhibit features eleven local craft artists, each sharing the results of a creative experiment at Handmade in America. An Opening Reception will be held February 17 from 5:30 – 8 PM at the HandMade in America Gallery at 125 South Lexington Avenue, Suite 101.

In a reversal of the usual process of making an object and then explaining it in words, a personally-resonant word was first chosen by each artist as the impetus for the making of an object. “We find not the phrasing to describe our work, but rather the craft to depict our language”, says one of the artists.

From fine furniture and woven sculpture to exquisitely created wall pieces, In Our Own Words is a playful exhibit with visual, verbage and vital messages.

Artists featured in this exhibition are: Fatie Atkinson, Caryl Brt, Hayley Davison, Melissa Engler, Carla and Greg Filippelli, Wayne Fowler, Susan Link, Journel Thomas, Jenna Weston, and Jamie Womack.

HandMade in America Needs your Support for Online Fundraiser

There are less than 2 weeks left of HandMade in America's  online fundraiser and they need your support! They have added two new perks for your donations in the final stretch of the fundraiser:

 

For a donation of $75 you will receive a HandMade for the Holidays sticker, poster AND an ornament from the HandMade Tree!

 

For a donation of $150 you will receive a Craft, Architecture and Design gift set that includes the Tool Kit, Architectural Element Source Book and Hand Crafted Home Furnishings & Design Elements.  Don't forget about the other fantastic perks!

 

Your support will allow HandMade in America to continue to provide services for craft artists through classes, online promotion, information and advocacy. It will allow HandMade in America to continue to build markets and opportunities to grow the craft economy in Western North Carolina and provide a model for areas in the nation that want to grow the impact of craft on their economies.

Roc Day at HandMade in America

January 8 - Roc Day is THIS Sunday at HandMade in America's office, 125 S. Lexington Avenue, Suite 101 in  Asheville NC.  This annual spinning event is hosted by Spinners, Shepherds and Wannabee's, and will include a pot luck lunch, Stone Soup, Show and Sell your fiber, roving and more, Spinning games and demos. It will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM.

HandMade in America Online Fundraiser

HandMade in America needs your support for our Online Fundraiser. Your support will allow HandMade in America to continue to provide services for craft artists through classes, online promotion, information and advocacy. It will allow HandMade in America to continue to build markets and opportunities to grow the craft economy in Western North Carolina and provide a model for areas in the nation that want to grow the impact of craft on their economies.

HandMade in America has been a leader and innovator in creative placemaking, a term that describes revitalization by creative initiatives that animate places and spark economic development.  This year HandMade educated over 300 craft artists, worked in 13 small towns, and supported over 100 Appalachian women owned businesses.

Handmade in America Hosts Textile Study Group

Want to learn more about textiles?

The Textile Study Group is a way to explore information and history of various forms of textiles. It's open to anyone at HandMade in America at 5:30 each month:

2012 Schedule
January 18      Textiles and Natural Dyes in India, Catharine Ellis
Feb. 15           Tencel, Bamboo, Rayon, Modal...What are they? Karen Donde
March 21         North Carolina Mill History, Susie Wheelis
April 18           Felt, Vasanto
May 16            The Local, Sustainable Approach to Textile Manufacturing, Daniel Sanders
June 20           How old is fiber work?, Teena Tuenge
July 18            Egyptian Revival Textiles, Gwen Perkins
August 15        History of the spinning wheel, Eileen Hallman
Sept. 19          Starting a Spinning Mill in the 21st Century, Julie Jensen
October 17      History of Rag Rugs, Mary Jo Lanik
November 21   TBD
December 19   Destinies Drawn and Spun: “Images of Eve and Mary as Spinstresses”, Beth Johnson

Questions about the study group? contact:
Catharine Ellis,catharine@ellistextiles.com  or Susie Wheelis alpacasusie@gmail.com

Farm to Fashion Opening Reception Tonight

December 16, 5:30 PM - 8 PM - Farm to Fashion opening reception at  the HandMade in America offices at 125 South Lexington Avenue, Suite 101 in Asheville NC. Learn more about local textiles and see a special screening of “Farm to Fashion”; a documentary produced by film students at Western Carolina University.  Fiber farmers, custom mills and textile artists are ready to spread the word about the regional fiber economy by encouraging you to buy clothes and home furnishings that are locally raised and produced.

A Message from HandeMade in America

HandMade in America wishes to thank every supporter of the Western North Carolina's craft artists and communities.  Without the continued support and funding of the organizations and individuals, the work of HandMade would not be what it has been nor what it will become. Thank you!

How You Can HelpSupport HandMade in America in carrying out our mission: Please make checks or other gifts payable to: HandMade in America PO Box 2089 Asheville, NC 28802 - Or make a secure donation online by going to our website.