The Pennsylvania Guild’s Holiday Fine Craft Fair, a long-standing Lancaster favorite that draws over 5,000 patrons, returns to the recently-renovated Manheim Township High School.
This is a local favorite among craft lovers and the hometown show for the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, which is headquartered downtown on Prince St. Because of its long history in the culturally-rich Lancaster region, this show is also a favorite among local artists and craftsmen.
This year, there are more than 50 craftsmen participating who live within a 30 mile radius of Lancaster. More than half of the festival’s 140 craftspeople live within a 100 mile radius. Supporting craftspeople in your region is as important as supporting your local restaurant. Craftspeople are small business owners, who pay local taxes and support local institutions just like you. Local, regional, and national craftspeople exhibit annually at the Pennsylvania Guild fine craft fairs.
Support those who support the Earth and make durable, locally-made fine crafts part of your lifestyle. Buying handmade, long-lasting crafts is better for the earth too because many craftspeople observe sustainable practices. They are conscious about the impact their creative process has on their environment and future generations. Many also reduce their waste by using reclaimed and repurposed materials. This year, craftsmen who use sustainable practices are identified with a “Guild Green” sign.
Explore the hundreds of one-of-a-kind, individually handmade works by 140 craftspeople in glass, jewelry, pottery, wood, metal, fiber, clothing, furniture and more. The Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair provides an opportunity to support the region’s best craftspeople while finding functional and decorative craft.
“We accept only the best,” explained Guild Executive Director Sherrie Boyer. “Our Standards Committee juries and scores thousands of crafts for quality during the application process. We also do a second jurying on site. It’s not about numbers for us; it’s about excellence in fine craftsmanship, whether we are jurying a national or a local artist. Our focus is on excellence and our goal is to share as widely possible the very finest handmade crafts.
Each item, whether a piece of pottery or framed art, has been designed, created and finished by the artist in the booth. The Pennsylvania Guild’s Fine Craft Fairs have been premier events for 65 years, appealing to those in search of what’s truly unique and beautiful. This holiday’s show is no different.
With a number of live demonstrations, guests have a unique chance to meet the artist and learn the story behind the authentically handmade work. We encourage all of our attendees to walk up to the artists and ask them questions. Those who choose a fine craft to take home also take home the story of its creation and the mastery behind the finished piece.
Art and craft education remains one of the most important ideals for the Guild. They promote craft in many ways including affiliations with local high schools and colleges. The partnership between Manheim Township School District and the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen has lead to even greater ties with the community in Lancaster and surrounding areas. This year educational partnerships will also include the Hempfield High School Art Department, Millersville University, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), and Kutztown University.
Having multiple levels of craftspeople (beginners, emerging artists, and established professionals) at one event is beneficial to all and is a unique element of this particular Guild craft fair. For the beginner, participating gives them a glimpse of being a professional artist. They see the many benefits and the hard work it takes to make this your lifestyle. For the emerging artists/college students, this provides them exposure, and gains the respect of their peers. For the established professional craftsperson, being able to mentor or influence young artists is a joy in itself.
The fair features nearly 140 craftspeople and artists who blend style, excellence and skill, to bring you the best in functional and decorative home décor, designer clothing, jewelry, gifts, furniture and more. Each item, whether a piece of pottery or framed art, has been designed, created and finished by the artist represented in the booth.
As a nonprofit, the Guild provides the opportunity to observe demonstrations by master craftsmen. Learn what it takes to create individual masterpieces from pottery throwing to wood carving and more. We encourage all of our attendees to walk up to the artists and ask them questions. Those who choose a fine craft to take home also take home the story of its creation and the mastery behind the finished piece. Learn what it takes to create individual masterpieces from pottery throwing to wood carving and more.
Featured Demonstrations:
Fiber artist Linda Doucette will be dyeing with natural dyes as well as spinning alpaca fiber into yarn. The flowers used for the herbal dyeing are grown with organic methods and Linda uses earth friendly non-toxic dye methods that are non-polluting. Visit Linda to see how she creates lively colors on silk fabric using the flowers from her own backyard.
Sandra Jean Coldren will demonstrate how she creates her theorem paintings using tools from the past and present. A series of stencils and precise brushwork are used to produce a traditional painting generally depicting a still life on cloth or velvet. You will learn a mini-history of her art while learning more about Theorems.
Equipped with a piece of paper and a specialized pair of scissors, Marie-Helene Grabman makes beautiful pieces of art through the craft of scherenschnitte, a German technique meaning ‘scissor cuts’. Watch Marie-Helene explain this ancient craft and give it her contemporary twist.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 13 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 14. Admission is $7; receive $1 off with our special online coupon or this article. Kids under 12 are absolutely free!
The Pennsylvania Guild is one of the nation’s largest and most recognized craft guilds with 1,400 members in 33 states. Recognizing that the making of craft enriches all, the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen seeks to encourage the practice of and nurture excellence in heritage and contemporary crafts. It does this through education, advocacy and support of the practicing craftsman. Membership is open to both craftsmen and supporters of the arts. Craft lovers who join as Friends of the Guild receive free admission to our fine craft fairs, discounts on great workshops and the knowledge that they are helping to support artists whose work celebrates our natural world and self-sufficient lifestyles.
