A Virtual Gala

 

For more years than I can recall, one of our fall journeys has been to Craftsman Farms in Morris Plains, New Jersey, to join the Craftsman Gala celebration sponsored by the Stickley Museum. As you may know, Gustav Stickley’s Craftsman Farms has been owned by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills in New Jersey since 1989, when the property and its c.1909-1911 structures were rescued from private development.

The Stickley Museum is a non-profit organization entrusted with the oversight of the preservation, interpretation, and daily operation of Gustav Stickley’s own utopia, Craftsman Farms. The museum’s small staff educates thousands of visitors from around the world through its interpretive programs, both onsite and online, each year. The annual gala helps to fund the daily staffing and expenses to keep the Stickley Museum open, running, and spreading the word about the Arts and Crafts movement.

 

 

The Saturday, October 2nd gala will again be held virtually, and will offer both an online silent auction and a Gala-Only (you have to be present to bid) auction. The online silent auction is open to everyone and will begin at noon on Monday, September 27. It will feature several items of interest to Arts and Crafts collectors, including a Teco bowl, a Georg Jensen “tulip” bracelet, and a custom scarf by Mike Dawson of Arnge Design, inspired by a Josef Hofmann textile.

 

 

 

 

Left to right: a Georg Jensen Tulip Bracelet, a small Teco Pot, and a custom scarf by Mike Dawson of Arnge Design, inspired by a Josef Hofmann textile. All three items will be offered during the online silent auction open to everyone. Photos courtesy of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms.

 

“The Craftsman Gala is an important part of the museum’s annual fundraising, but it’s also a kind of reunion each year, bringing together like-minded people who share an affinity for Gustav Stickley and for Craftsman Farms. That set this event apart—community and camaraderie. A shared sensibility is special and makes the Gala one of the most special days of our year.” – Executive Director Vonda Givens, The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

 

 

There will be two Arts and Crafts “experiences” which will be auctioned off on Saturday evening, October 2, but only to registered Gala attendees. First will be a special VIP private tour designed especially for art pottery collectors. The second will be a Two-Person, Two-Night Conference Package at the 35^th National Arts and Crafts Conference scheduled to be held at the historic 1913 Omni Grove Park Inn overlooking Asheville, NC. Annually, Arts and Crafts collectors and enthusiasts travel to this destination known by many as the best Arts and Crafts hotel in the world. The package not only includes room and board both Friday and Saturday nights during the Conference, but includes a conference events pass to see all the educational seminars and participate in the small group discussions and book club discussions as well as early entry into the 2022 National Arts and Crafts shows on each of the three days, February 18-20, 2022. For the conference events schedule, please go to www.Arts-CraftsConference.com.

 

 

As executive director Vonda Givens said, “I’m looking forward to kicking off the museum’s autumn “Fall for Stickley” program series with The Craftsman Gala and Cocktail Hour. During The Craftsman Cocktail Hour (on Oct. 2 at 4 pm EDT), I will have a conversation with Jonathan Clancy about our extensive new virtual exhibition, Circa 1917. I’m looking forward sharing this groundbreaking exhibition. The Cocktail Hour is free. Just RSVP and we’ll send you the link.”

“The Craftsman Gala is an important part of the museum’s annual fundraising, but it’s also a kind of reunion each year, bringing together likeminded people who share an affinity for Gustav Stickley and for Craftsman Farms. That set this event apart—community and camaraderie. A shared sensibility is special and makes the Gala one of the most special days of our year.”

 

People can still purchase tickets for the Gala and RSVP for the free Craftsman Cocktail Hour, which is also the opening of our new exhibition Circa 1917: Rediscovering Craftsman Farms. Below, you can find the links for the silent auction catalog, the Cocktail Hour and the Gala.

 

Catalog for the online silent auction: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/auctions/

RSVP for the Free Cocktail Hour: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/gala-pre-party/

Purchase tickets/advertising opportunities for the Craftsman Gala: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/support/gala/