A Gallery Without Walls compiled by Kirsten Coughlin

(Left) "Virgin Sacrifice," vase made of fused and fabricated sterling silver, by Frederick Marshall. (Right) "Door Latch #7," made of forged steel, patina, paint and guilding, by John Rais.

Some people won't even go into a gallery, so we'll bring the gallery to them. This was the thought behind the Peters Valley Craft Education Center's new project, "Art in the Open: The Peters Valley Gallery Without Walls." Through the project, the work of 10 artists will be placed on pedestals at nine different sites throughout Morristown, N.J., including Peters Valley and other businesses such as Epsteins, PNC Bank, and the town hall.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visitors may pick up a brochure and map at any of the gallery sites. For a list of sites, contact the Peters Valley Craft Education Center at (973) 948-5200. Call for Entries: If you are an artist working in New Jersey and would like to apply for a spot in the "Art in the Open: The Peters Valley Gallery Without Walls," contact the Peters Valley Craft Education Center at: 19 Kuhn Rd., Layton, NJ 07851; (973) 948-5200.

Partially funded by a special grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Peters Valley organized the first multi-site exhibition project in collaboration with several arts and business-related organizations. The project aims to provide exposure for New Jersey artists and introduce new audiences to contemporary craft, while eliminating the sense of elitism traditional galleries hold for many people.

It officially opened on Dec. 31, 1998, at the Union Center Bank, and will run for one year. New artists will be selected throughout the year and exhibitions will change quarterly. The first-quarter artists were chosen by invitation, and include the works of ceramic artist Bennett Bean, blacksmith John Rais, metalworkers Chris Darway, Frederick Marshall and Marjorie Simon, baskets by Debra Sachs, woodwork by Mark Wilkins, pinhole photographer Scott McMahon, book artist Suellen Glashausser and glass artist Lucartha Kohler.

The pedestal sites were volunteered by local businesses, and 50 percent commission will go to Peters Valley. According to Megan MacDonald at Peters Valley Craft Education Center, the center hopes to hold the event again next year. "The money made will be re-invested into the project, and hopefully the event will expand throughout Morristown," says MacDonald.

Kirsten Coughlin is editorial assistant of The Crafts Report.

FEBRUARY 1999:

| HOME | TABLE OF CONTENTS |