A Preview of the 2020 Pre-Conference Workshops at the National Arts and Crafts Conference
by Kate Nixon
Each February for the past 32 years, Arts and Crafts collectors and bungalow owners from across America have journeyed to the historic 1913 Grove Park Inn overlooking Asheville, North Carolina. For three days, starting February 21st, the National Arts & Craft Conference and Shows will again feature Arts and Crafts antiques and contemporary items, bringing educational seminars, historic house tours, artisan demonstrations, and hands-on workshops celebrating America’s only truly original style. The pre-conference workshops in particular are a popular opportunity to provide attendees with the chance to demonstrate and participate in the “head, heart, and hand” philosophy and learn from a Roycroft Master Artisan. Making their annual return to instruct these workshops are Master Artisans Laura Wilder, Frank Glapa, Natalie Richards, and Ron VanOstrand.
The sign up period for these workshops is now open – you can call the offices of the National Arts and Crafts Conference at (828) 628-1915 to sign up. For more details on each of the workshops including the cost for each signup as well as the date and time, see the descriptions below:
Printmaking
“Arts and Crafts Printmaking with Laura Wilder”
Thursday, February 20th, 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. and Friday, February 21st, 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
The Workshop costs $200.00 per signup, kit provided for all participants.
Laura Wilder will return with “Arts & Crafts Printmaking.” Block printing is The Great Equalizer: artists and amateurs and everyone in between are bound together by the challenges and rewards of this process. During this two-part class, you will amaze yourself by carving and printing two linoleum blocks, one for each color, and printing your own two-color note cards.
Designs will be provided, or you can bring your own sketches.
Laura will demonstrate the steps, and as you work, she will tell stories of triumph and tragedy, using some of her own prints to illustrate. And she will provide you with your own block printing kit to take home so you can continue on your own printmaking journey long after the conference weekend has ended.Laura will demonstrate basic printmaking steps, and as you work, she will tell stories of triumph and tragedy, using some of her own prints to illustrate. She will also provide you with your own block printing kit to take home.
The Printmaking Workshop is a two-part workshop from Thursday, Feb. 20th 2pm – 5pm and Friday, Feb. 21st from 8am – 11am. The fee for this workshop is $200 per person.
Coppersmithing
“Coppersmithing: Arts and Crafts Style with Frank Glapa”
Thursday, February 20th, 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. and Friday, February 21st, 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
The Workshop costs $200.00 per signup, materials provided. Tools remain property of the instructor.
Frank Glapa leads “Coppersmithing: Arts & Crafts Style” designed to get attendees started on the basics of copper repousse techniques, hammering and shaping your copper “tile” into an incredible piece of Arts & Crafts metalwork. This two-part workshop led by Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan Frank Glapa will get you started on the basics of copper repousse techniques. Your materials will be waiting for you as Frank guides you through the process of hammering and shaping your copper “tile” into an incredible piece of Arts & Crafts metalwork. Classic designs will be provided to fit the 4×4 copper tile.
The Coppersmithing Workshop is a two-part workshop from Thursday, Feb. 20th 2pm – 5pm and Friday, Feb. 21st from 8am – 11am. The fee for this workshop is $200 per person.
Embroidery
2019 project: “The Strawberry Thief” Stay Tuned for information about the 2020 project!
“Arts and Crafts Embroidery with Natalie Richards” – embroidery techniques used in arts and crafts textiles for beginners and intermediate level embroiderers.
Thursday, February 20th, 2 P.M. to 5 P.M. and Friday, February 21st, 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
The Workshop costs $200.00 per signup, kit provided for all participants.
The basics of embroidery will be covered in Natalie Richards’ “Arts & Crafts Embroidery.” The workshop will be geared toward not only individuals new to embroidery but attendees who have taken previous embroidery workshops. The class will focus on perfecting prominent stitches present in historic Arts & Crafts textiles. Each participant will receive a kit that includes all necessary materials. The different stitches will be demonstrated individually followed by hands-on application with assistance from Natalie. Attendees will leave with the confidence to complete any embroidery project they select.
The Embroidery Workshop is a two-part workshop from Thursday, Feb. 20th 2pm – 5pm and Friday, Feb. 21st from 8am – 11am. The fee for this workshop is $200 per person.
Art Metal
“Small Art Metal Project” – a 3 hour workshop on tools and techniques to produce art metal objects and jewelry
Friday, February 21st, 8 A.M. to 11 A.M.
The Workshop costs $90.00, materials provided. Tools remain property of the instructor.
Ron VanOstrand’s “Small Art Metal Project” is a workshop where attendees will create a small art metal object such as a keychain fob, pendant, or ornamental bookmark using chasing, repoussé, stamping, and sawing techniques. Projects are made in copper using hand skills used during the Arts and Crafts period. Attendees can bring their own designs or choose one provided by Ron.
Ron VanOstrand is a Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan in metal, and an art teacher with two decades of teaching experience. He has been a seminar presenter on Art Metal techniques twice in recent years at the Conference.
The “Small Art Metal Project” workshop will only be Friday, Feb. 21st from 8am to 11am. The fee for this workshop is $100.
Pre-Conference Workshops are not included in the cost of general admission, Conference Events Passes, or Grove Park Inn Weekend Packages. Registration costs are listed above and require registration – interested attendees can call (828) 628-1915 to sign up for the workshops. The National Arts & Crafts Conference office can take credit card payments and checks.
For any questions, please call the office of the National Arts & Crafts Conference at (828) 628-1915.