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Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Invitation to the 2015 American Craft Council Show
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show Reflections - The Three Graces of Contemporary Fine Craft
Last autumn, I had the very special honor of exhibiting my work as an Emerging/Wearable Fiber Artist at the esteemed Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. It was an unforgettable experience, a milestone, a marvel. Around the time of the show, I wrote a little essay about the show, its artists, and this world I adore so much -- that of fine craft. I didn't get a chance to share it earlier, but, now, here it is. I hope you enjoy the words and the sights.
THE THREE GRACES OF CONTEMPORARY FINE CRAFT
Those who gathered for the 38th
Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Pennsylvania
Convention Center November 6-9, 2014, were in for a sumptuous feast of
an experience. There were extraordinary vessels of clay, wood,
metal, and fiber; beguiling jewelry that undulates and caresses the
body; uncommon furniture that does not merely occupy space but
commands it; and, clothing exquisitely fashioned out of the finest
fibers. Each of the 195 exhibiting artists came from unique
backgrounds, having mastered a distinctive set of skills, and works in
a different aesthetic framework than their PMA Craft Show neighbor.
Yet, as they work year-round in their studios in Maine, Illinois,
California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, each piece they
chisel, forge, wheel throw, and weave is a sign of worshiping the
three graces of contemporary fine craft – form, surface, and
storytelling.
Form Transformed
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| Artwork by PMA Craft Show 2014 artists: (Top Row, L-R) Jennifer Martin, Richard Judd, David Fraser, (Bottom Row, L-R) Chunghie Lee, Valerie Jo Coulson, Lulu Fichter |
PMA Craft Show artists across different
media celebrate three-dimensional expression and the exuberance of
form and line. Taking their cue from the classical and traditional,
these artists trans-form shapes and objects that defy conventions,
question the equilibrium, and devise their own rules of proportion.
The objects of desire they create, whether they fit in the palm of
your hand or are larger than life, are wondrous, exciting, enticing.
Surface Exposed
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| Artwork by PMA Craft Show 2014 Artists: (Top Row, L-R) Kathleen Dustin, Jill Hurant, Simon van der Ven, Michael Mikula, Rob Sieminski, Robert Rickard. |
PMA Craft Show artists mine the depths
and expand the boundaries of their materials to reveal surfaces that
invite touch and expand the tactile vocabulary. From creating complex
patinas to concocting textile-like patterns in porcelain or wood, the
spectrum of surface design possibilities was on abundant display at
the Show. Crevices, layers, and the juxtapositions between hard and
soft, ruled the day in virtually every booth at the Show. The “right”
and “wrong” sides, recto and verso are often equally important,
each carrying its own textural delight and meaning.
Stories in Conversation
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| Artwork by PMA Craft Show 2014 Artists: (Top Row, L-R) Christine Schukow Rodrigues, Roberta and David Williamson, Robert Farrell, (Bottom Row, L-R) Cathy Rose, Kina Crow, Ken and Julie Girardini. |
One of the primary reasons audiences
flock to an experience like the PMA Craft Show is to see, hear, and
read stories told by objects, as augmented by conversations held
between visitors and exhibiting artists. Whether firmly
representational or strictly figurative, the individual necklaces,
teapots, cabinets, hats, and baskets audiences encountered at the Show
held the artists' narratives. Their bodies of work as well as
individual brushstrokes, carving marks, and stitches are fragments of
their makers' stories. These are tales “to be continued” – both
when you as a visitor interact with the artists, and when you acquire
their work to make it part of your own story, in your home, your
collection, your wardrobe.
Written by Elena
Rosenberg, an Emerging Artist at the 2014 PMACraft Show. Elena is a New York based wearable fiber artist, knit
fashion designer, and an advocate for fine craft and art. She serves on the Boards of Directors at the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and Surface Design Association. She is an artist member of American Craft Council, TAFA, and ArtsWestchester. From 2012 through 2014, she was on staff at Fiber Art Now magazine. Elena works on strategy, marketing, content development, and curatorial projects with artists, organizations, and small businesses.
Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art online POP-UP SHOP is now open.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Meet me in Philadelphia this fall!
This autumn, you are cordially invited to see the Elena Rosenberg knit collection and meet me at two extraordinary events in Philadelphia, PA -- the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Fine Craft Fair (October 10-12, 2014) and Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show (November 6-9, 2014). It's a treat to be an invited artist at these prestigious exhibitions of contemporary fine craft and design. Each show is a major destination and event, and a perfect opportunity for you to come see the new line of finely handknit fashion accessories and pick out something lovely for your fall and winter wardrobe. I look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia!
If you are like most fans of Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art
designs, you are someone who appreciates fine quality, exquisite
craftsmanship, and clothing that is both timeless and modern. You may be
a devotee of sustainable and 'slow' fashion, an art lover, an artwear
fan. You love clothing and accessories that feel good to the touch and
next to your skin and that are easy to wear. You love an elegant, feminine look,
and a look that makes a statement. I am confident that you will find new
pieces to adore and wear daily, among the designs in my Fall 2014
collection. Each piece continues to be made in New
York one-stitch-at-a-time, based on my original patterns, and using only the finest, most luxurious fibers
around.
Can't make it to Philadelphia in the fall? SHOP Elena Rosenberg designs ONLINE anytime.
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen holds its popular Fine Craft Fair in Rittenhouse Square in October 2014, as the venerable organization celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. This event is located in the very heart of the city in a beautiful neighborhood surrounded by charming bakeries, interesting restaurants, and excellent arts & cultural venues. The Fine Craft Fair itself is held outdoors, and the perimeter of historic Rittenhouse Square is lined with booths displaying some of the finest and highest quality craft from the East Coast and beyond. There will be fine and alternative materials jewelry, photography, fine woodworking, basketry, and glass.
Your Fashion & Wearable Fiber Art destination at the Fine Craft Fair in Rittenhouse Square is Booth #23 on Walnut St. -- Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art.
This show is free to attend. It's open Friday and Saturday (October 10-11) from 11am to 6pm, and Sunday (October 12) from 11am to 5pm.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is in its 38th year, and it is, without a doubt, one of the most competitive and prestigious contemporary craft and design shows in existence today. It's a particular bright and bold feather in my cap to be making a debut at the PMA Craft Show this year, as an Emerging Artist. Collectors and fine craft/design lovers travel to the PMA Craft Show from all over the country. The award-winning and museum quality pottery, jewelry, mixed media art, and decorative fiber you will see at this show will be a true feast for the senses.
Come to booth #219 at the show to see Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art designs. I also will be doing an artist demonstration/talk at the show (details to come).
The PMA Craft Show will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from Thursday, November 6, 2014 through Sunday, November 9, 2014. Thursday-Friday hours are 11am - 9pm, Saturday hours are 10am - 6pm, and Sunday hours are 10am - 5pm. For details and directions, visit the PMA Show website.
Subscribe to the Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art mailing list to receive occasional emails about new designs and events.
Follow Elena for fashion, design, and art inspiration on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Shop ONLINE.
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| Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art |
Can't make it to Philadelphia in the fall? SHOP Elena Rosenberg designs ONLINE anytime.
 |
| Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art |
Your Fashion & Wearable Fiber Art destination at the Fine Craft Fair in Rittenhouse Square is Booth #23 on Walnut St. -- Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art.
This show is free to attend. It's open Friday and Saturday (October 10-11) from 11am to 6pm, and Sunday (October 12) from 11am to 5pm.
 |
| Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art |
Come to booth #219 at the show to see Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art designs. I also will be doing an artist demonstration/talk at the show (details to come).
 |
| Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art |
Subscribe to the Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art mailing list to receive occasional emails about new designs and events.
 |
| Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art |
Follow Elena for fashion, design, and art inspiration on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Shop ONLINE.
(Photography above by Ellen Crane)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
New Press - Feature & Interview in WAG Magazine; Fall Schedule of Events
Thrilled to share that my designs and I are featured in the latest issue of WAG Magazine! You can read the full article online. Learn about the inspiration for my designs, my roots, recent experiences, and future plans. It's a great write-up, and I am honored to be in great company on the pages of this beautiful issue. Other designers profiled by the magazine this month are Rolando Santana, and Sarah Phillips, and almost the entire issue is dedicated to fashion and style, with nods to Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, and others. It's a treat to be recognized by this great and well-respected publication as an emerging independent designer!
WAG is a lifestyle magazine covering Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT. I have the Artrider Productions team to thank for making the connection between the magazine and me. Artrider is the producer of three shows in which I will be participating this fall, here in the NY tri-state area. In August, I had a great time meeting the WAG staff, including Mary Shustack (senior writer), Dee DelBello (publisher/creative director), Bob Rozycki (managing editor and photographer), and Alissa Frey (audience development director and my wonderful model). Print copies of the September 2013 issue are available locally, and the entire issue can be accessed online.
Speaking of Fall events, I am excited to have been invited to show my designs at 5 fantastic retail exhibitions this season, taking place in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts! The complete line up of shows appears below. I hope to see you at one or more of these events. I will be bringing many new designs and colors to the shows, as well as a few entirely new surprises from a small collection of wearable fiber art accessories I am developing. Hint: it's wooly, but it's neither knit nor crochet. You will need to visit me at the shows to see more!
Crafts at Lyndhurst, Tarrytown, NY, September 20-22, 2013
Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair, Philadelphia, PA, October 11-13, 2013
Crafts at Purchase Performing Arts Center, Purchase, NY, November 1-3, 2013
CraftWestport, Westport, CT, November 9-10, 2013
CraftBoston Holiday Show, Boston, MA, December 6-8, 2013
I invite you to follow me on Facebook for frequent updates and to sign up for my mailing list to hear about upcoming events and special offers.
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| Elena Rosenberg featured in WAG Magazine, September 2013 |
WAG is a lifestyle magazine covering Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT. I have the Artrider Productions team to thank for making the connection between the magazine and me. Artrider is the producer of three shows in which I will be participating this fall, here in the NY tri-state area. In August, I had a great time meeting the WAG staff, including Mary Shustack (senior writer), Dee DelBello (publisher/creative director), Bob Rozycki (managing editor and photographer), and Alissa Frey (audience development director and my wonderful model). Print copies of the September 2013 issue are available locally, and the entire issue can be accessed online.
Elena Rosenberg's Designs modeled by Alissa Frey
Speaking of Fall events, I am excited to have been invited to show my designs at 5 fantastic retail exhibitions this season, taking place in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Massachusetts! The complete line up of shows appears below. I hope to see you at one or more of these events. I will be bringing many new designs and colors to the shows, as well as a few entirely new surprises from a small collection of wearable fiber art accessories I am developing. Hint: it's wooly, but it's neither knit nor crochet. You will need to visit me at the shows to see more!
Elena Rosenberg Wearable Fiber Art -- Fall 2013 SCHEDULE
Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair, Philadelphia, PA, October 11-13, 2013
Crafts at Purchase Performing Arts Center, Purchase, NY, November 1-3, 2013
CraftWestport, Westport, CT, November 9-10, 2013
CraftBoston Holiday Show, Boston, MA, December 6-8, 2013
I invite you to follow me on Facebook for frequent updates and to sign up for my mailing list to hear about upcoming events and special offers.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Autumn 2011 Show Schedule
This autumn season is shaping up to be a very busy one for me. I will be presenting my wearable fiber art designs at three major fine craft shows. It's terribly exciting! I look forward to presenting new work, meeting new visitors and customers, seeing my designs tried on and in action, and just simply being part of these esteemed events. For the past few weeks, I have been working around the clock planning my booth display and building inventory. Since I work on my own and do all the hand-knitting and finishing (and just about everything else connected with running a small, or, rather, tiny, one-woman fine craft business), it is definitely a challenge to produce a sizable amount of items for several multi-day shows. I will, of course, be taking custom orders at each event. If you are interested in my work, attending a live show is a wonderful opportunity to see a variety of my designs, see and feel the luxurious materials I use up close, and to try on your favorites.
Paradise City Fair of Fine and Functional Art
Northampton, MA
October 8-10, 2011 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Booth #519
I have heard extremely positive things from past exhibitors and attendees about this event, and it's a huge honor to participate in it. Paradise City has been producing award-winning fine art and fine craft shows for years. For the Northampton show this year, 275 artists from 30 states were juried from nearly 1000 applicants. On display will be original works in fiber, ceramics, glass, fine furniture, jewelry, metal, wood, mixed media, painting, and photography. There will be live music and food by local restaurants, an auction to benefit the local PBS station, and children's creative activities. This show takes place during American Craft Week, a celebration which brings together individuals, small businesses and organizations from all fifty states in recognition of the countless ways handmade objects enrich our daily lives and contribute to our national aesthetic and economy. I hope you can make plans to visit Paradise City Northampton. Needless to say, New England is a beautiful destination in the fall.
Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair
Lancaster, PA
November 12-13, 2011
This will be my second show with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. It was a treat to be part of the Guild's July show in Wilmington, DE. The Guild is a non-profit organization, and the shows are very well run, making them a fantastic experience for both artists and visitors. I received a very warm welcome from fans of the show in July, and I hope to meet many of them again in Lancaster in November. In addition to the Fine Craft Fair, Lancaster's thriving arts community and other Pennsylvania Dutch Country cultural attractions are all great reasons to plan a weekend visit.
American Craft Show NYC
New York, NY
November 18-20, 2011
Just one week after the Lancaster show, I will be closer to home and will have an opportunity to show my work at this relatively new event in a great location - the Jacob Javits convention center. Happening the same weekend at the same venue is the Contemporary Art Fair NYC. Hoping to have an amazing experience here also.
My online shop will remain open during the fall and holiday season. Production times on made-to-order items are likely to extend into several weeks. If you are considering a treat for yourself or for a loved one (holiday gifts included), please do get in touch early.
Looking ahead to 2012 -- just the other day I received exhilarating news of acceptance into the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, MD, February 24-26, 2012! After my tremendous experience as an "Alt Craft / Emerging Artist" exhibitor at the 2011 ACC show, an experience that led to some life-changing decisions, I am super stoked to have been selected to exhibit my designs on the main floor of the ACC next year. I have plans for many exciting new designs to work up in the winter months, so I hope you'll stay tuned!
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| Baby Alpaca & Silk Knit Cowl |
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| Bamboo & Silk Knit Rococo Shawl |
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| Pima Cotton & Merino Wool Shoulderette / Cape |
Calendar of upcoming events
Paradise City Fair of Fine and Functional Art
Northampton, MA
October 8-10, 2011 (Columbus Day Weekend)
Booth #519
I have heard extremely positive things from past exhibitors and attendees about this event, and it's a huge honor to participate in it. Paradise City has been producing award-winning fine art and fine craft shows for years. For the Northampton show this year, 275 artists from 30 states were juried from nearly 1000 applicants. On display will be original works in fiber, ceramics, glass, fine furniture, jewelry, metal, wood, mixed media, painting, and photography. There will be live music and food by local restaurants, an auction to benefit the local PBS station, and children's creative activities. This show takes place during American Craft Week, a celebration which brings together individuals, small businesses and organizations from all fifty states in recognition of the countless ways handmade objects enrich our daily lives and contribute to our national aesthetic and economy. I hope you can make plans to visit Paradise City Northampton. Needless to say, New England is a beautiful destination in the fall.
Pennsylvania Guild Fine Craft Fair
Lancaster, PA
November 12-13, 2011
This will be my second show with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. It was a treat to be part of the Guild's July show in Wilmington, DE. The Guild is a non-profit organization, and the shows are very well run, making them a fantastic experience for both artists and visitors. I received a very warm welcome from fans of the show in July, and I hope to meet many of them again in Lancaster in November. In addition to the Fine Craft Fair, Lancaster's thriving arts community and other Pennsylvania Dutch Country cultural attractions are all great reasons to plan a weekend visit.
American Craft Show NYC
New York, NYNovember 18-20, 2011
Just one week after the Lancaster show, I will be closer to home and will have an opportunity to show my work at this relatively new event in a great location - the Jacob Javits convention center. Happening the same weekend at the same venue is the Contemporary Art Fair NYC. Hoping to have an amazing experience here also.
Looking ahead to 2012 -- just the other day I received exhilarating news of acceptance into the American Craft Council Show in Baltimore, MD, February 24-26, 2012! After my tremendous experience as an "Alt Craft / Emerging Artist" exhibitor at the 2011 ACC show, an experience that led to some life-changing decisions, I am super stoked to have been selected to exhibit my designs on the main floor of the ACC next year. I have plans for many exciting new designs to work up in the winter months, so I hope you'll stay tuned!
