The 32nd Contemporary Crafts show will open at the Mesa Arts Center tonight with an artist talk by Stephanie Trenchard, light refreshments and a cash bar.
So what makes a craft contemporary?
"To me, 'contemporary crafts' means work done by contemporary artists in the areas that have been traditionally defined as craft," writes artist Lynette Andreasen. "Not only are these artists working in traditional craft mediums, but they are working as artists, with specific ideas behind their work..."
Thirty seven artists, including Andreasen, from 18 states are part of the juried exhibition.
Perry Price, one of the show's jurors, writes, "More than composition, more than pattern or texture or surface, the works selected...explore and exemplify a re-engagement with and questioning of the material. As our lives become conducted with an increasingly digital and virtual world, these makers reinvigorate our experience with the physical."
Jewelry, glass, metals, ceramics, wood and even paper artwork will be on display from January 21 to March 6 during regular museum hours.
"I love seeing the diversity of work by the all artists...There are often artists in the show that I really admire, people who's work I've only seen in books or online, so it's really fun to be able to see their work in person," Andreasen says.
Mesa Arts Center is at 1 E. Main Street in Mesa. The opening reception will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.. For more info, check out the MAC website.
