The First Friday Preview – December 2020 

For nearly 30 years, art lovers in Philadelphia have reserved the First Friday of every month for gallery hopping. To help continue this tradition, CraftNOW will bring together a group of curators and artists for an intimate preview on Thursday nights. 

On the Agenda –

YOWIE – YOWIE founder Shannon Maldonado walks us through new products and artists she is excited about for the season. YOWIE is a home and life shop focused on curating small collections from friends, independent artists, and designers with a storefront located at 716 S. 4th Street in Queen Village.

NO FAIR at Bertrand Productions – Stacey Lee Webber and Joseph Leroux talk about the 20 artists they have curated into a cash-and-carry exhibition in the galleries at Globe Dye Works as a response to the loss of art fairs and sales opportunities in 2020. All artists receive 100% of their own sales. Walkthroughs are available by appointment. 

Innovation in Fiber Art – Mi-Kyoung Lee, Director of the Craft & Material Studies Program and Professor of Fibers and Textiles at University of the Arts, will present a brief overview of her recent 2020 China and USA Technology and Innovation in Fiber Art Virtual Exhibition with a symposium on Friday, December 4th at 8pm (EST). In collaboration with Tsinghua University in Beijing, this project highlights the work of twenty leading contemporary fiber artists working with traditional and nontraditional textile processes such as weaving, sewing, dyeing, film, installation, and performance.  

The Clay Studio – The Clay Studio’s Curator of Artistic Programs, Jennifer Zwilling, interviews The Usefulness of Use artist Yoko Sekino Bove, whose exquisitely crafted pottery is inspired by her background in graphic design and her interest in classic pottery forms. Yoko states, “Ever since the pandemic started, I have been wondering what I can do and how I can help. Is there anything I can do for this world, as an individual, and as a ceramic artist?”