Massive Crafts Fair Coming This Weekend To East Bay

The KPFA Crafts Fair features the original work of over 200 artists and craftspeople, presenting a glorious variety of original hand made items and offering something for everyone.

The producer and an artist herself, Jan Etre, is excited to usher the fair back to the East Bay.

WHAT: 44th Annual KPFA Crafts Fair ~ Inspired Creative Gifts

WHO: Benefit for KPFA community sponsored Radio Station, 94.1 FM

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, December 20 and 21, 2014 from 10am-5pm

WHERE: Craneway Pavilion at the Richmond Waterfront - 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond, CA 94804. www.craneway.com

Only 10 minutes from Berkeley & Marin.

COST: Admission is $10, $5 over 65, and free for disabled and youth.

FREE Parking!

INFO: 510-848-6767 ext. 646 or email fairinfo@kpfa.org

WEB: www.kpfa.org/craftsfair

The KPFA Crafts Fair showcases the brightest talents in contemporary art and craft, highlighting both experienced and emerging designers who produce one-of-a-kind, handmade and limited edition goods in a wide variety of media.

These jury-selected artisans and craftspeople combine new and traditional techniques with modern design aesthetics to produce appealingly fresh and innovative work.

All the artists will be present at the Craneway to interact with the guests and to showcase their own work, from outstanding wearable textiles to sophisticated ceramics, luminous glass, innovative furniture and practical housewares.

There’s also evocative photography, original block-printed art, contemporary paper goods and affordable and exquisite fashion jewelry.

KPFA Radio has a reputation for embracing diversity and supporting local communities through its programming.

Similar principles of discernment apply in the selection process of exhibitors for the KPFA Crafts Fair. The fair prioritizes a uniqueness of style, a high level of artisanship, craftwork created in studio (the artist/exhibitor must have an active hand in the making of their work), while trying to represent as much variety as possible.

Jan Etre has been an advocate of artists and craftspeople for 27 years.

“Buying directly from an artist establishes a personal connection.Buying something from a store and not having any sense of whose hands helped create it is more often than not a less meaningful experience. It’s rich interacting with the artist, knowing where the materials came from, and having a sense of the artist’s vision. To a certain extent mass produced stuff is unavoidable and we understand that, but at the fair we will highlight the vast difference between that and the appreciation and enjoyment of art and artists.”

JEWELRY Producer Jan Etre sees the array of jewelry at the KPFA Crafts Fair as an auspicious opportunity for men shopping for that special someone in their lives:

“A piece of jewelry can be viewed as sculpture in miniature, artwork that will enhance the beauty of the person wearing it. The range of jewelry is astonishing and all price points are covered, so men shopping for gifts for their lovers and loved ones will be able to find something that suits their taste and their wallets.”

FOOD / BAR / LIVE MUSIC The Assemble Restaurant at the Craneway Pavilion features fresh, local, seasonal fare and a full liquor license open the entire time of the fair allowing fairgoers to relax, refuel and plan the rest of their shopping.

A coat and bag check are also available. Live music throughout the weekend featuring local talent and graduates from local music schools - Dynamic Duo’s on Saturday and Guitar Sunday.

TRANSPORTATION

The Craneway Pavilion is 10 minutes by car from Berkeley, 5 minutes from the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. It’s accessible by public transit via BART and AC Transit. It sits on the pedestrian and bike-friendly Bay Trail.

ABOUT CRANEWAY PAVILION

Originally a Ford Motor plant, it was transformed in WWII for the war effort. On site is the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park Visitor Education Center, which opened in 2012. The Craneway’s natural light is stunning. It has received numerous awards for its architecture. Its location on the waterfront and 180 degrees view of the San Francisco Bay are breathtaking. The Bay Trail bike trail runs along it and The Rosie Riveter/WWll Home Front National Historical Museum will be open during the fair.

ABOUT KPFA

KPFA 94.1FM is the nation’s original listener-sponsored, noncommercial, public radio station founded in 1949. KPFA’s mission is to encourage cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression; to contribute to a lasting understanding between individuals of all nations, creeds and colors; to promote freedom of the press and to serve as a forum for various points of view, while maintaining an independent funding base.

KPFA broadcasts on 94.1 FM and KPFB 89.3 FM, Berkeley, and KFCF 88.1 FM, Fresno, and on the web worldwide at www.kpfa.org. The signal is a powerful 59,000 watts, reaching one third of the state.

Artists left to right: Judith Greif, (www.judithgreifdesigns.com) Joan Ragno, (Upmarket Design) Barbara Sebastian, (www.sebastianart.com) Elizabeth Saucier, (www.elizabethsaucier.com) WILLY, (www.willyjewelry.com) Shawn Tsai, (www.shawntsai.com)

--Information and images courtesy of KPFA Crafts Fair