Craft show celebrates beautiful creations

The American Craft Council Show 2011 culminated its three day event Sunday in Atlanta. Held in the Cobb Galleria Centre, the show featured over 280 artists from all over the United States.

At the entrance of the exhibit, wedding cakes were featured, using crafts as inspiration.

Wingcom Watchdog selected four artists to highlight in this article because of their eye-catching exhibits and charming personalities.

Don Tran, the youngest of 13 children and native of Vietnam, has continued his traditional family artwork in handcrafted silk embroidery. "It takes me about two days to complete most pieces," Tran said from his booth in the Centre.

An MBA graduate of Webster University in St. Louis, Tran says his creations start "with simple, light, chalk lines. With my imagination, patience, and skills, I create one of a kind true works of art." Tran won 1st Place in Fiber 2010 presented by the Columbia Art League of Columbia, Mo.

nancy kubale, a ceramic and mixed media artist, displayed her Tim Burton-like pieces. "I began participating in shows about 20 years ago and try to create elongated figures that have no visible cultural contexts." Headquartered in Rutherfordton, N.C., kubale's pieces range from $57 - $6,000.

"My sculpture addresses our pursuit of Truth and the nature of our humanness." Her art uses text and metaphor. "I am intrigued by what we think, do, and say, by who we are and how we live - primarily at the soul level," kubale said.

Dan Neil Barnes from Lexington, Ky. recently completed the awards presented at the World Equestrian Games 2010. "I have been working as a glass sculptor for 30 years," said Barnes who is a UK basketball season ticket holder.

"I was honored to be chosen by the World Equestrian Games Foundation as their Legacy Awards artist, and was delighted to meet four past governors." One of Barnes' larger pieces features glass, stainless steel, and copper.

Jennifer McCurdy designs and turns porcelain vessels. Her creations remind you of sea creatures. "Many people think what I do is difficult, but it's easy for me because I've been doing it for so long," McCurdy said.

She gilds many of her pieces with 23 ct gold leaf. McCurdy "throws her porcelain on a potter's wheel and alters the form while it is still wet to achieve a sense of softness and movement." Fired at 2350 degrees Fahrenheit, her creations are non-porous, translucent, and hard. McCurdy is from Vineyard, Mass. (Photo by Gary Mirando - use authorized by artist.)

All other photos by Tomi Johnson. ©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.