SHEILA BEATTY, MAPLEWOOD JEWELER, TO EXHIBIT AT AMERICAN FINE CRAFT SHOW AT BROOKYN MUSEUM NOVEMBER 22-23

Maplewood jeweler Sheila Beatty is one of 19 master jewelers from around the country who will work magic at the American Fine Craft Show at Brooklyn Museum November 22-23, 2014. She, along with the others in her category, will exhibit their work in media ranging from enamel, gold and silver to gemstones, pearls, and found objects. To create pieces that complement contemporary fashions and a 21st century aesthetic they use traditional and/or ancient techniques. There will be 90 exhibitors in all.

“As an artist, enamellist and jewelry maker, I bring a lifelong involvement in the visual arts--fine art, illustration and calligraphy--to the challenge of making cloisonné enamel,” writes Beatty on her website www.beattyenamels.com. The Maplewood jeweler adds “My small-scale jewelry pieces are miniature paintings, which, while mainly abstract, take inspiration from the natural world and from historical influences such as Art Nouveau.”

In addition to jewelry, there will be handmade ceramics, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather apparel, and sculpture.

The craft show is part of the Art of American Craft series founded and directed by Joanna and Richard Rothbard. “After last year’s success in Brooklyn, we developed the series to demonstrate the highest level of crafts, featuring works by master craftsman who produce museum-quality work,” said Richard Rothbard. “A museum venue sends the message that visitors should anticipate seeing outstanding examples of jewelry, ceramics, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, and leather apparel handmade by the exhibitors we select.”

He added “How many museum visitors are aware that much of what they see in exhibitions found its origins in the work of artisanal craftsmen--designers of ceramics, jewelry, furniture, glass and fashion?”

That the work is well displayed is as important to the Rothbards as it is to designers of museum exhibitions. Experts at merchandising--they also own American Craftsman Galleries in Manhattan and Stockbridge, Mass.—they are mindful of presentation when they select artisans. In addition, they have fine-tuned the curation process over 30+ years, visiting thousands of art and craft shows in that period.

The Rothbards founded and directed the American Fine Craft Show NYC, Contemporary Art Fair NYC and the Rockefeller Arts Festival in Manhattan and produce the Berkshires Arts Festival in Mass. in July and Sarasota Craft Show in Florida in December.
Information: Visit www.brooklyncraftshow.com and www.artofamericancraft.com

Where: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Directions: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/directions.php
Hours: Saturday Nov. 22: Preview for Museum Members & Press 11 am-Noon; General public Noon-6 pm. Sunday Nov. 23, 11 am-6 pm
Tickets: Adults - $12.00 Seniors -$11.00 Students - $6.00 Children under 10 -Free.
Cash at entrance; online at www.brooklyncraftshow.com. Includes general admission to museum