WheatonArts and Cultural Center in Millville, NJ is celebrating 21 years of the Festival of Fine Craft on Oct. 5 and 6, rain or shine! This event, sponsored by Avalon Flooring and OceanFirst, features the work of 150+ juried contemporary and traditional artists, craft demonstrations, a Beer & Wine Garden, family art activities, a giant glass pumpkin patch, and more! Special demonstrating artists during the Festival include traditional fiber weaving by Pauletta Berger, woodturner Tom Cambria, coin-cut jewelry making by Allan Feinberg, encaustic (wax) painting by Anna Scaramazza, and many more!
The Festival’s signature “WheatonArts Glass Pumpkin Patch” is an experience in itself—a glimmering outdoor installation of over six thousand glass pumpkins of all colors, shapes, and sizes—each uniquely handcrafted by WheatonArts’ resident glass artists! Located across from the Pottery Studio, all glass pumpkins will be available for purchase at discounted rates, with proceeds supporting arts educational programming at WheatonArts. The Festival’s Beer & Wine Garden (permit #73917) will feature Cape May Brewery and Bellview Winery. Additionally, visitors can enjoy live music by South Jersey’s own Package Goods Orchestra. A variety of specialty and gourmet food vendors will line the food court with refreshments for purchase.
Everyone can engage in the creative process with additional complimentary art-making activities both days of the Festival, thanks to a special PNC Arts Alive grant. These include scarecrow construction, paper face masks, corn mosaics, and beaded spiders. Other fee-based artistic hands-on opportunities, such as designing a silk scarf and basket weaving, will be available throughout the grounds.
For added fun, visitors can sign up to win one of the hourly door prizes donated by the Festival artists at the Information & Door Prize Booth after entering through the front gate. Names will be drawn and posted throughout the day. Stop in the Glass Studio at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. both days to watch a glass blowing demonstration and enter for a chance to win a beautifully handcrafted glass vase or plate! Must be present to win for the Glass Studio giveaway.
The Festival of Fine Craft is included with general admission to WheatonArts! Admission is $12 adults, $11 senior adults, $7 students, and free for WheatonArts members and children ages 5 or younger. Admission ticket special: Ask for a “Tomorrow Pass” upon exiting the Festival on Saturday to get free access to the Festival on Sunday! Available by request only. Parking and shuttle service are also available free of charge. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 5 and 6, rain or shine. WheatonArts and Cultural Center is located at 1501 Glasstown Road in Millville. For more information call (856) 825-6800 or (800) 998-4552, or visit wheatonarts.org.