CRAFT Artists in Biennials Past and Present

CRAFT  Gallery opens its last show of 2016 on Friday, October 7th, with six fine craft artists who have been included in the 2016 and 2014 Biennials at The Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Susan Dewsnap, Morris Dorenfeld, Lynn Duryea, Jan Owen and Sharon Townshend, all of whom live and work in Maine, create artworks  that honor traditional craft methods and are recognized as works of fine art. All have studied drawing, painting and  art history at major art institutions and universities and have turned their interests to creating art with traditional craft materials. By using the craft medium as support, they break down the boundaries between craft and fine art.

Potter Susan Dewsnap, Professor of Art and Visual Culture at Bates College, investigates the dynamic of how drawing on the surface and the shape of her pottery can be intimately connected. She looks to painting and ceramic history, merging the two in her art. Weaver Morris Dorenfeld studied  and practiced painting and has chosen the medium of fiber and tapestry technique to weave his abstract designs on the loom. He and Lynn Duryea  are included in the 2016 CMCA Biennial. Duryea has returned to Maine after serving as Ceramics Professor of Art at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. Her non- functional clay sculptures reference architectural, structural and mechanical elements. The physicality of construction, assembling and the poetic use of color is what interests her. Artist Jan Owen communicates through the art of calligraphy with brush marks, woven shapes and written words to create patterns and textures as strong design elements in her books, panels and scrolls. Quilter Daphne Taylor is a draftswoman who draws with thread. She explores the potential of fabric, needle and thread to create her “quilt drawings” with the eye of a painter, limiting herself to the bare essentials of color, line and design. Clay artist Sharon Townshend’s work is based on nature, finding inspiration in woods, fields, trees and plants. Working in clay is a continuum of these encounters. Her sought after Raku veggies are offered at CRAFT.

The show will continue until mid November to coincide with the Biennial at CMCA. CRAFT is located in the courtyard at 12 Elm Street in Rockland. Blind Albert will play live music outside in the courtyard, which will be comfortably heated and lit, from 5 to 7:30 pm during  the October 7th First Friday Art Walk. FMI call 207 594 0167 and visit www.craftonelm.com