Some 75 of America’s most talented artisans join Country Folk Art Festival in celebration of the prestigious juried show’s 20th anniversary.
Acclaimed one of America’s top traditional folk art markets by Early American Life magazine, Country Folk Art Festival will introduce a striking lineup of original artistry Sept. 20, 21 and 22 at Kane County Fairgrounds, one mile west of downtown St. Charles.
Esteemed leathersmith Steven Lalioff of Cicero, IN, leads the Country Folk Art Festival’s impressive assortment of talent as the show’s featured artisan. Lalioff, who learned his craft at historic Colonial Williamsburg, is recognized for his expertly produced Early American fire buckets and reproductions of other historic leather goods.
Lalioff’s expertise is typical of that seen at the Country Folk Art Festival, a stringently screened presentation limited to exacting top-quality reproductions of items that range from country and formal antique American furniture to contemporary folk art. Each item included in the show is handcrafted in the USA by independent artisans who specialize in the production of affordable one-of-a-kind pieces.
In an era where cocooning has reclaimed its importance, shoppers have turned their backs on recent efforts to promote Postmodern and Mid-century styling in favor of classic, timeless styles such as Windsor chairs, apothecary-drawer hutches and Shaker boxes - heirloom quality showpieces destined to pup up in both new and old homes a century from now. In response to a widespread return to time-honored styling, Delafield, WI furniture artisan Dennis Bork is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Country Folk Art Festival with a reproduction Philadelphia Pembroke table made of rare and coveted “plum pudding” mahogany.
In the same vein, respected furniture maker David T. Smith will bring examples of his expertly crafted antique reproduction furniture and redware pottery to the show. Look for Smith’s painstakingly built corner cabinets, primitive cupboards and dry sinks and Shaker chests as well as other memorable pieces.
Glen Huey of Malcolm L. Huey & Son joins the impressive parade of furniture makers whose painstaking reproductions will take center stage at the Country Folk Art Festival. Huey is especially proud of a cherry Connecticut high chest of drawers that he will show there for the first time.
Other furniture makers to watch for at the Country Folk Art Festival include D. Andrew Kates and Joan and Allen New.
And artist/author Will Moses, the great-great-grandson of American artist Grandma Moses will introduce a limited edition painting of the circa 1846 Garfield Farm and Tavern, a living history restoration project in Elburn, four miles west of Geneva. A framed serigraph of the painting will be raffled to benefit the project. Tickets are available at the Country Folk Art Festival.
Baskets, birdhouses, blacksmith work, calendars, carvings, chalkware, copper, country, formal, painted and Shaker furniture and accessories, decoys, dolls, Father Christmas dolls, dried florals, floorcloths, Halloween, gourds, hooked rugs, leather, metal sculpture, nautical paintings, needlework, rosemaling, papier mache, quilts, reclaimed art, samplers, slateware, stencils, stoneware, teddy bears, whirligigs, Windsor chairs, whimsical folk art and more are featured at the Country Folk Art Festival.
For show information, contact Judy Marks P.O. Box 134, Glen Ellyn, IL, 60138, Phone: (630) 858-1568; Fax: (630) 858-4568; E-mail: info@folkartfest.com; World Wide Web: www.folkartfest.com
|
Printable Version