Sep

Don’t hang it over the sofa–Wear Your Art!

Almost 70 acclaimed designers will exhibit and sell their work at the 2019 Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show and Sale Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Marable-Bunch with star-like lights in background

Maria Marable-Bunch (Photo by Matailong Du)

This year’s theme, “Wear Your Art,” highlights artists who create American-made wearable art, including handmade clothing, jewelry and accessories for women, men and children. The show and sale will include cutting-edge creations of established and emerging artists, including DC Makers, who will exhibit handmade and locally sourced items, all to benefit the Smithsonian.

Maria Marable-Bunch will serve as the honorary chair for this year’s event. Marable-Bunch is the associate director for museum learning and programs at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. She leads the museum’s national education mission to change the narrative about Native Americans, educate the museum’s audiences and create a more informed and empathetic citizenry through formal and informal learning opportunities.

Opening Night Benefit

Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided at the Opening Night Benefit and Preview Party Thursday, Oct. 3, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall. Party patrons will have the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase unique and exquisite creations. An organic fashion show of wearable art, artist demonstrations, a selfie booth, a ticket drawing and live music will be among the evening’s entertainment. Tickets are available at smithsoniancraft2wear.org and are $75 each, including a return ticket to the show either Friday or Saturday.

Lukasz and Bozenna Bogucki, Booth 40
“t is all about the beauty of this highly industrial and rarely seen material (stainless steel mesh is mostly hidden in all kind of filtration systems).
It is about the challenge to create sculptural, functional art objects out of this demanding and very difficult to work with material.
We are pioneering on this field trying to discover and reveal its particular properties and beauties.
Even after years of working with stainless steel mesh, the process of creating constantly delivers excitement and feeling of satisfaction when we make another leap forward perfecting our designs.
All work from design to the finishing touches is done in our Los Angeles Studio.”

Schedule

The Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show and Sale continues Friday, Oct. 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The National Building Museum is located at 401 F St. N.W., in Washington, D.C. (directly across from the Metro Red Line Judiciary Square Station, F Street exit).

Brian Murphy, Booth 63.
All work is hand-woven and / or hand dyed silk (in complex weaves) scarves, shawls and garments.

Tickets

Daily admission tickets cost $13 online or $15 at the door. Information and advance tickets are available at www.smithsoniancraft2wear.org. Group rates are available; for groups of 10 or more, email austrpr@si.edu.

Smithsonian Craft2Wear is produced by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee. The event is co-chaired by Smithsonian Women’s Committee members Sharon Block, Fran Hamberger and Susan Labovich.

Holly Ann Mitchell, Booth 39.
“or nearly 28 years, I’ve had an endless fascination with newspaper. It began with an assignment in a metalsmithing class. I had to create a piece of jewelry which did not consist of any traditional materials (no metal, precious stones, etc.). I chose newspaper. I love to push the boundaries of it’s text, color and content. For example, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today have very different fonts. I love to juxtapose them to create wonderful rich textural patterns. I use Comic Strips because the characters’ expressive faces contain bold, bright and powerful colors. I use Expired Coupons because the textural patterns of many elements including the UPC Bar Codes are reminiscent of African Kente cloth. I strive to bring out these aesthetic strengths to create jewelry which is equally interesting both on and off the body. I truly believe the ordinary (such as newspaper) can be extraordinary.”

The proceeds from the Women’s Committee’s two annual signature events—the Smithsonian Craft Show in April and the Smithsonian Craft2Wear Show in October—fund grants to support outreach, research and education programs across the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, nine research centers and the National Zoo. Formed in 1968, the Smithsonian Women’s Committee has funded more than $12 million in grants and endowments

Cynthia Chuang, Booth 45
“These hand created whimsical creatures jewelry are millefiori porcelain based, rich with varied metal wires and beading. In every design, our goal is to achieve our ABC’s: Artistry, Beauty, and Character. Our one-of-a-kind designs are inspired by our love for nature originating . With more than 30 masterful years of experience in porcelain and metal, we have perfected our unique and intricate color inlay patterns which are built into the clay body. All metal wires, 3-D construction, and beading are added after with precise pre-planned designs. The extended wire tubing is hand spun accordingly to create a unique art style we can call our own. Our goal is to create beautiful pieces that not only exude personality but represent their own natural magnificence in the wild”

Information about participating artists is available at www.smithsoniancraft2wear.org/show-exhibitors.