Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center celebrates 22 years of artistic excellence with the Festival of Fine Craft on October 2 and 3, rain or shine! This annual event features the work of 125 juried contemporary and traditional artists, unique craft demonstrations, a Beer & Wine Garden, family art activities, and more! Throughout the WheatonArts campus, attendees can engage with artists exhibiting and selling their handcrafted works of art in various mediums, such as clay, glass, jewelry, leather, textiles, wood, and more. Craft demonstrations this year include a unique hands-on Maya sawdust carpet project, along with Guatemalan master weavers Armando Sosa and Angélica López sharing centuries-old weaving techniques.
“Scarecrow Construction” is notably one of the favorite family activities each year, with a wild assortment of clothing and plenty of straw to create life-size scarecrows to take home! Everyone can experience the creative process with additional complimentary art-making activities, thanks to a special PNC Arts Alive grant. Other fee-based opportunities, such as basket weaving, will be available throughout the grounds.
Cape May Brewery and Bellview Winery return to our relaxing Beer & Wine Garden environment behind an entrance wall displaying handcrafted glass goblets. Various gourmet food vendors and specialty food trucks will line the food court with refreshments for purchase. Additionally, visitors can enjoy live musical entertainment from South Jersey’s own Package Goods Orchestra. For added Festival fun, visitors can stop by the information table after entering through the gates to sign up for a chance to win a variety of WheatonArts door prizes.
The Festival’s Glass Pumpkin Fundraiser will be back in a limited fashion. This outdoor installation invites attendees to browse limited-edition handcrafted glass pumpkins of all shapes, sizes, and colors—each individually created by WheatonArts’ resident glass artists. Located across from the Pottery Studio, the glass pumpkins will be available for purchase, with proceeds supporting arts educational programming at WheatonArts. Is it necessary to note that due to diminished production time and staff during COVID restrictions, the patch will be smaller than in past years, pumpkin quantities are limited.
For the health and safety of our artists, staff, and audiences, and based on the recommendations of the CDC, masks must be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status. Masks will also be required outdoors when social distancing is not possible. The Festival of Fine Craft is included with general admission to WheatonArts. Admission at the gate is $12 adults, $11 senior adults, $7 students, and free for WheatonArts members and children ages five or younger. Buy your tickets in advance online to save $2.00 per ticket! The offer ends on September 26, 2021. Experience the Festival along with special exhibitions in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center. 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 2 & 3, rain or shine. Event programming is subject to change. For more information, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit wheatonarts.org.