Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show Marks 50th Anniversary

The Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show marked its 50th anniversary with an event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, featuring 195 artists and artisans displaying handmade textiles, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, and glasswork. “The definition of craft is very broad. It could be macrame, Afghans, that sort of thing. That was never the Philadelphia show,” said show director and manager Nancy O’Meara. “It’s always been looking for the artist who is working in a field — whether it be clay, metal, wood, fiber — and taking it to the next level, being very innovative, using the right tools. This is their livelihood. This is not a weekend hobby.”

A Show of Prestige and Innovation

The show was launched in 1977 by the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Women’s Committee as a benefit for the museum and has since raised $15.3 million. Ceramic artist Sandra Byers, of Rock Springs, Wisconsin, has participated since 1990. “Everyone across the country recognizes the Philadelphia Craft Show as one of the premier shows in this country,” Byers said. “We love to show among that wonderful group of craftspeople.” Byers and her husband, fellow ceramicist Winthrop Byers, are showing at the event this year, with Sandra displaying decorative porcelain sculptures and Winthrop showcasing functional pottery.

A Juried Tradition of Excellence

The Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show is juried, meaning a panel of artists, curators, and teachers decides which artists are accepted each year. The Byers couple does not exhibit every year, as they do not always make the cut. “We respect that,” Byers said. “It would be rather boring for the people who visit the show if each year the show was exactly the same.” O’Meara highlighted that this juried process is key to the show’s reputation for quality. The show’s prestige attracts knowledgeable audiences, prompting artists to bring their best and newest work.

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Knowledgeable Audiences Drive Quality

According to O’Meara, the show’s audience is highly engaged. “The artists tell me all the time, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how knowledgeable people are in Philadelphia,’” she said. “The artists know that they need to bring their best work to Philadelphia, their newest work, so they’ll try things out in Philadelphia.” This reputation for excellence and innovation has allowed the show to maintain its status as a premier event in the craft world for its 50-year history.