League of NH Craftsmen 83rd Annual Fair Underway

NEWBURY, NH — The 83rd Annual League of NH Craftsmen's Fair is now underway running through Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury. Last week, the League presented 31 awards recognizing the creativity and skill of its juried members during the Annual Craftsmen's Fair Preview Party. The award-winning craft pieces are currently on display at the fair. Nearly $7,000 in awards were presented to three exhibitions: Living With Craft, CraftWear, and the Sculpture Garden. The CraftWear exhibition features stylish “art-to-wear” clothing, jewelry, and accessories. The Sculpture Garden boasts a breathtaking display of landscape sculptures and garden ornaments. In Living With Craft, guests can envision their homes with a piece of handmade furniture, wall hanging or hand-crafted basket as they tour the exhibit, which showcases room settings with a creative fusion of handmade furniture and decorative items.

Here is a list of the winners:

Living With Craft Awards

Best in Show: Sponsored by Davis & Towle Group
Award recipient: Donald Briere (Large Floor Vase)
Best in Traditional Design: Sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank
Award recipient: Terry Moore (Table)
Best in Wood: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers
Award recipient: Duane Martin (Glade Creek Mill Intarsia)
Best Turned Wood Piece: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers
Award recipient: Claude Dupuis (set of Three Segmented Vessels)
Edith Grodin Best Collaborative: Anonymous Sponsor
Award recipients: Larry Elardo and Hope Murphy (Floor Lamp)
Joe Tucker Metal Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens
Award recipient: Joy Raskin (Thorny Bowl)
Stevens Glass Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens
Award recipient: Hans Schepker (Hyperdodecahedron Stained Glass Lamp)
Permanent Collection Purchase Award: Anonymous Sponsor
Award recipient: June Adinah (Ode to Susan Bliss)
Best in Ceramics – Functional: Sponsored by the NH Potter's Guild
Award for recipient: Cynthia Cummings-Birch (The Forest Haven)
Best in Ceramics – Decorative: Sponsored by the NH Potter's Guild
Award recipient: Lars Turin (Sphere with Fractured and Altered Surface)
Best in Baskets: Anonymous Sponsor
Award recipient: Maggie Tetreault (Hands at Play)
Best in Weaving: Sponsored by the NH Weaver’s Guild
Award recipient: Sarah Warren (Season’s Flow)
Gorst Print Award: Anonymous sponsor
Award recipient: Victoria Elbroch (Transience)
Best in Fiber: Sponsored by Skyeview Alpacas
Award recipient: Sarah Fortin (Polychrome Blocks)
Excellence and Innovation Award: North Country Studio Workshops
Award recipient: John Ruggerio (Tern off Wave)
Best in Photography: Sponsored by Cambridge Trust Company of NH
Award recipient: Susan Lirakis (Small Room)

Sculpture Garden Award

Best in Show: Sponsored by Vahan and Anne Sarkisian
Award recipient: Stephen Procter

Craftwear Awards

Best of Show Award: Sponsored by John & Jill Schiffman
Award recipient: Bob Dorr (Grey Numbers Vest)
Most Original Piece: North Country Studio Workshops
Award Recipient: Ann Peck (Every Skirt has a Story)
Weaving with Wool Award: Sponsored by Harrisville Designs
Award recipient: Sarah Fortin (Flying Over Glaciers)
Best in Fine Sewing Award: Sponsored by Portsmouth Fabric Co.
Award recipient: Ann Lee (Savoring the Moment)
Creative Sewing Award: Sponsored by EQA3 – A Quilters Gathering
Award recipient: Bob Dorr (Grey Numbers Vest)
The Sue Williamson Memorial Award – Best in Mixed Media Jewelry: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough
Award recipient: Lauran Sundin (Queen Victoria Neck Piece)
The Sue Williamson Memorial Award – Best in Clothing: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough
Award recipient: Nancy Evans (Graffiti)
Best in Metal Jewelry Award: Sponsored by Eleanor “Tin” Bacon Memorial Fund
Award recipient: Tom McGurrin (Twig and Leaf)
Best in Accessories: Sponsored by The Cordwainer Shop
Award recipient: Susan Scalera (Large Travel Bag)
Best Use of Color Award in Weaving: Sponsored by The Fiber Studio
Award recipient: Sarah Fortin (Baroque Twill Swing Jacket)
Best in Jewelry: Sponsored by Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.
Award recipient: Paulette Werger (Sugar Crystal Neckpiece)

Best in Seed Bead Weaving

Sponsored by Bead It!
Award recipient: Maureen Redmond-Scura (Baubles)
Best in Jewelry with Stone: Sponsored by League of NH Craftsmen Concord Fine Craft Gallery
Award recipient: Blair LaBella (Beach Stone Necklace)

Innovation in Design, Technique or Medium

Sponsored by Anonymous
Award Recipient: Nancy Evans (Watermelon Mist)

The Public Choice Awards, sponsored by the Duprey Company, will be selected on Aug. 13, with fairgoers will also have a chance to vote for their favorite craft piece.

Submitted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen.