Sugarloaf Craft Festival (Photos)

The Sugarloaf Craft Festival will host more than 250 nationally-known artists and craftsmen, April 4 through April 6, at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. Admission is $8 when purchased online and $10 at the door and is good for all three days of the show. Children under 12 are admitted free. Free parking is available on side. For more information including exhibitor lists and admission discounts, visit Sugarloaf Crafts website or call 800.210.9900.

Among the artisans selected by a jury to offer their functional art, will be those hard at work creating their next piece. Live demonstrations at the Festival will give visitors insight into the creative processes and inspiration of master craftspeople.

“Visitors see the beautiful end result of what artists create in their studios,” said Deann Verdier, President of Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. “At the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Gaithersburg, we bring that process to visitors through live demonstrations so they can fully appreciate the artists’ talents and see the creations evolve from ideas to completion.

“And those completed works are perfect for springtime use and gift giving,” continued Verdier. “Artists are creating functional, handcrafted items for the garden and outdoor entertaining, and gorgeous gifts for mom, dads, grads and brides-and-grooms.” More than 250 talented American craftspeople, will offer work in ceramics, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, furniture and home décor, leather, fine art and photography.

Artists at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival exemplify the creativity and technical mastery that are the hallmarks of the American craft movement. A few of the craftspeople demonstrating their talent live at the Festival in Gaithersburg, are:

• Alan Uchin & Dale Norley: With a combined 65 years of jewelry design experience, the husband and wife team will fashion elegant jewelry from varied textured metals of their own creation combined with rare fossils.
• William Richardson: Crafted from thin strips of bent, wrapped and braided wood, William’s decorative shaker boxes, jewelry chests, trays, and baskets are instant Americana heirlooms.
• Nick Vincent: Donning a heavy protective apron and thick gloves, Nick will manipulate metal heated to over 2,000 degrees to create his contemporary furniture, sculpture, and historic restoration pieces. Using a hammer and chisel, he will pound red hot iron into elegant shapes, curls, and forms.
• Bob Dewitt: The historic art of hand-carving will be on display as Bob demonstrates how he works with graining and imperfections in wood to create rustic serving utensils, bowls, and cutting boards using only a mallet and chisel.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is also a great place to stock the pantry with delicious gourmet goodies for spring and summer guests – or indulgent snacking! Artisan food exhibitors will be bringing candies and chocolates, soups, artisan breads, jams and dips, syrups and olive oils for visitors to sample and purchase.

The sounds of easy listening pianist Ngu Mbundi, as well as the styling’s of guitarist Chris Wilson, will entertain visitors through the show aisles and costumed storytelling from Middle Earth Studios makes the show a great weekend destination for families.

Visit Sugarloaf Craft Festivals website for a schedule of craft demonstrations, map of the fairgrounds, schedule of entertainment and more.

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