Montclair Sidewalk Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fest

The Montclair Sidewalk Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fest returns to Oakland Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Montclair Village Association, this free event showcases works from more than 70 artists and crafters who will line the streets of the Montclair Business District displaying a wide array of handcrafted works including garments, sculptures, photography, watercolor and oil paintings, jewelry, ceramics and more. All of the artists will be on hand to visit with patrons while some will be demonstrating their craft during the show. This year’s featured artists include:

Annie Kuhn

Studio: Oakland

Medium: Glass

Art: Lamp work glass beads, jewelry and other phantasmagorical treasures

Creative Process: “Sometimes one’s destiny is clear early on,” says Annie. “I was born for color. I was schooled in classrooms (College of Arts and Crafts; Wayne State University – ceramics; Oakland’s Crucible – glass bead making), and I was schooled in my mother’s amazing world of wreath making, decoupage, glass painting and feathery shoes! I became interested in design in high school, and became an artist in those years, working as a seamstress, shawl maker, quilter. I’ve shown my work in galleries from Detroit to Denver to Stockton. My own creativity takes wing with clay, fibers, jewelry, paint, and beads. Forever the visual artist, I feel that now I have integrated my life experience with art and design into my work with glass: Every colorful creation, filled with light and whimsy, is an adventure of its own.”

Susan Koenig

Studio: Alameda

Medium: Wool

Art: Handcrafted felted wool purses, bags and accessories

Creative Process: All of Susan’s products are handcrafted from wool yarn, sometimes in combination with other types of fibers. The pieces are sewn together and finished by hand. Agitation and hot water used during the washing process cause the wool to shrink and form a dense, soft fabric called felted or boiled wool. The resulting felted wool is soft and luxurious to the touch, but strong and durable. Because felted wool bags have a tendency to stretch with heavy contents, all full sized bags are fully lined, including the straps (if felted). Felted wool is an ideal material for Susan’s bags, purses, handbags, hats, and many accessories; these fun and hardy wearable artworks will last many years, even with constant use.

Shlomo Shuval

Studio: Richmond

Medium: Slate

Art: Images of American culture and the American West on slate

Creative Process: A self-taught artist and an inventor who has been working in the arts since 1979, Shlomo has worked in various mediums and has established several production studios. He came to California in 1990, and after several years of experimentation, he discovered the process for creating images of American culture and the American West on slate and dubbed his business Sierra Slate. Using a unique process, the images appear to be engraved in the rock itself. As the contour and shading of every slate frame is different, each Sierra Slate image is different; a piece of the American landscape comes alive.

Jeannine Komush

Studio: Oakland

Medium: Semi-precious stones, vintage and recycled materials, brass and steel

Art: Jewelry

Creative Process: “As a mostly self-taught artist, I am on a journey of creative and practical exploration,” says Jeannine. “I started creating mostly beadwork pieces eight years ago and have slowly transitioned into primarily cold-forged metal-work jewelry. I strive to create pieces that are rustic and yet elegant, imbued with a touch of magic, perfect for everyday wear. Shapes are bold but simple, with hand wrought textures that lend the pieces an organic feel. I use semi-precious stones, vintage and recycled materials such as leather, lucite, and other ephemera, and natural elements to accent my brass and steel designs. This eclectic use of materials reflects my daily and diverse sources of inspiration.”

The Montclair Sidewalk Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Fest takes place in the Montclair business district on Mountain Avenue at LaSalle, off highway 13, between Park Boulevard and Thornhill Drive. For more information, contact the Montclair Village Association at (510) 339-1000 or Pacific Fine Arts Festivals at (209) 267-4394, www.pacificfinearts.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PacificFineArts and on Twitter: @PacificFineArts.