The League of NH Craftsmen presented 37 awards recognizing the creativity and skill of its juried members during the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair Preview Party, which was held on Friday, July 31. The award-winning craft pieces are currently on display at the 82nd Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, which is running now through Sunday, August 9 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH.
Exhibition Awards Recognize Excellence in Fine Craft
Awards totaling $8,750 and two gift certificates were presented for exemplary work at the Fair’s three exhibitions: Living With Craft, CraftWear, and theSculpture Garden. The CraftWear exhibition features stylish “art-to-wear” clothing, jewelry, and accessories for visitors to try on and purchase. TheSculpture 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.
The award winners and sponsors are:
LIVING WITH CRAFT AWARDS
Best in Show: Sponsored by Corzilius, Matuszewski and Krause Architects, PA.
Award recipient: Terry Moore (Wilmot, NH) for his console table
Best in Traditional Design: Sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank.
Award recipient: Terry Moore (Wilmot, NH) for his sideboard
Best in Wood: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers.
Award recipient: Ted Blachly (Warner, NH) for his Demilune table
Best Turned Wood Piece: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers.
Award recipient: Claude Dupuis (Canterbury, NH) for his segmented urn
Edith Grodin Best Collaborative: Anonymous Sponsor.
Award recipient: Peter Bloch (New London, NH) and David Little (Meredith, NH) for their Prairie Chandelier(wood & metal)
Joe Tucker Metal Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens.
Award recipient: Paulette Werger (Hanover, NH)) for her Three Wishes Wedding Set
Stevens Glass Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens.
Award recipient: Thomas Talpey (Washington, NH) for Tiffany at Grand Central Terminal
Best in Ceramics- Functional: Sponsored by the NH Potter’s Guild.
Award for recipient: Iris Minc (Merrimac, MA) for her Turquoise Pitcher with Four Cups
Best in Ceramics- Decorative: Sponsored by the NH Potter’s Guild.
Award recipient: David Ernster (Newbury, NH) for Large Form #1
Best in Baskets Award: Anonymous Sponsor
Award recipient: Sharon Dugan (Sanbornton, NH) for her Ferns basket
Best in Weaving Award: Sponsored by the NH Weaver’s Guild.
Award recipient: Sarah Warren (Jefferson, NH) for Season’s Pathway III
Gorst Print Awards: Anonymous sponsor.
Award recipient: Hannah Phelps (New Boston, NH) for Turbulence on Appledore
Award recipient: Victoria Elbroch (Kittery, ME) for Dispersal III
Best in Fiber: Sponsored by Sue King of Skyeview Alpacas.
Award recipient: Brita Ek (New London, NH) for Forbidden Fruit
Best in Mixed Media: Sponsored by Mike & Wende Lonergan.
Award recipient: Jim and Andrea Lorette (Westmoreland, NH) for their Vessel of Mysteries
Best in Contemporary Design: Sponsored by Mike & Wende Lonergan.
Award recipient: Eric Grand (Concord, NH) for his uplifted coffee table
Best in Photography: Sponsored by Cambridge Trust Company of NH.
Award recipient: Rosamund Orford (Norwich, VT) for Pastorale
Excellence and Innovation: North Country Studio Workshops.
Award recipient: Cynthia Cummings Birch (Canaan, NH) for her pottery
SCULPTURE GARDEN AWARD
Best in Show: Sponsored by Vahan and Anne Sarkisian.
Award recipient: Joseph DeRobertis (New London, NH) for Steel Fish
CRAFTWEAR AWARDS
Best of Show Award: Sponsored by John & Jill Schiffman.
Award recipient: Nancy Evans (South Sutton, NH) for her Green Tea coat
Weaving with Wool Award: Sponsored by Pat & Chick Colony of Harrisville Designs.
Award recipient: Patricia Palson (Contoocook, NH) for her Tuft Love cape
Best Use of Color Award in Weaving: Sponsored by Pam Michie and Melanie Connor of The Fiber Studio. Award recipient: Nancy O’Connor (Ashuelot, NH) for her Twill Dance shawl
Best in Felt, Knitting/Crochet Award: Sponsored by Rebecca Brooks of Shear Innovations. Award recipient: Linda Sturgeon (Putney, VT) for her Salpiglossis dress
Best in Fine Sewing Award: Sponsored by Gretchen Rath of the Portsmouth Fabric Co.
Award recipient: Sharon Lindstrom (Belmont, NH) for her hand-smocked child’s tea dress
Creative Sewing Award: Sponsored by EQA3 – A Quilters Gathering
Award recipient: Tom Hayward (Charlemont, MA) for his Stars jacket
Best in Jewelry with Stone Award: Sponsored by Janine Lep of the League of NH Craftsmen Concord Fine Craft Gallery. Award recipient: Deirdre Donnelly (Quechee, VT) for her Lunasa II ring
The Sue Williamson Memorial Award Mixed Media Jewelry: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough. Award recipient:Blair LaBella (Lee, NH) and Lauren Pollaro (York, ME) for A Midnight Shore necklace and wall piece
Best in Metal Jewelry Award: Sponsored by Eleanor “Tin” Bacon.
Award recipient: Lynn Adams (Lyme, NH) for her Sunapee Flower 2015 pin
The Sue Williamson Memorial Award Best in Clothing: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough.
Award recipient: Ann Lee (Lowell, MA) for her Dreaming in Full Color
Arts for All Award: Sponsored by Jean Laska & Robert W. Ladd.
Award recipient: Tom McGurrin (Sanbornton, NH) for his Silver Line cuff
Best in Accessories: Sponsored by Molly Grant, Wild Orchard Guest Farm.
Award recipient: Joy Raskin (Concord, NH) for her Shades of Green belt
Dorr Mill Award: Sponsored by Terry Dorr of the Dorr Mill Store.
Award recipient: Sarah Fortin (Mason, NH) for her Ruffle Taquette Coat
Best in Jewelry: Sponsored by Pam Peterson of Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.
Award recipient: Paulette Werger (Hanover, NH) for her Night Sky neckpiece
Best in Seed Bead Weaving: Sponsored by Donna Nordlund of Bead It!
Award recipient: Deb Fairchild (Hampstead, NH) for her Ice Storm neckpiece
Excellence in Polymer Clay: Sponsored by the New Hampshire Polymer Clay Guild.
Award recipient: Kathleen Dustin (Contoocook, NH) for her Layered Fragments handbag
Most Original Piece: Sponsored by North Country Studio Workshops.
Award recipient: Joy Raskin (Concord, NH) for her Shades of Green belt
Award for Innovation in Design, Technique or Medium: Sponsored by Anonymous
Award Recipient: Nancy Evans (South Sutton, NH) for her Mosaic Madness felt coat
Public Choice Awards Selected on Saturday, Aug. 8
Fairgoers will also have a chance to vote for their favorite craft piece. Visitors can cast their votes in the ballot boxes located at each of the exhibitions. The winners will be announced on Saturday, August 8.
Fair Information
The 82nd Annual League of NH Craftsmen Fair will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, rain or shine, until August 9. Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, active duty military (with ID), and groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for children 12 and under. A ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and demonstrations. A ticket for a second return day is available for an additional $5. Picnic areas, as well as a food tent, indoor cafeterias, and an outdoor Garden Café (serving adult beverages) are open daily. Parking is free. Please leave pets at home; only service dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds.
About the League of NH Craftsmen
The League of NH Craftsmen is a non-profit, craft education organization. Its mission is to encourage, nurture and promote the creation, use and preservation of fine contemporary and traditional craft through the inspiration and education of artists and the broader community. The League represents the signature of excellence in fine craft, through the work of its juried members, and its rigorous standards for self expression, vision, and quality craftsmanship. The League of NH Craftsmen is supported in part by grants from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For more information about the Fair, or the League of NH Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, email nhleague@nhcrafts.org, or visit the League’s website at www.nhcrafts.org.