81st American Crafts & Historic Homes Tour
Withnell is passionate about fiber arts and particularly enjoys spinning yarns from animals she has bred, delivered, raised and cared for. Weaving allows her creative needs to explore color and texture, while designing unique items. Susan Withnell was the 2020 Waterford Fair Artisan of the Year!
Stanik is a second generation woodworker, and learned most of his skills by working with his father. He has worked with his hands and built furniture most of his life. His passion is to take pieces of rough lumber and fashion it into a fine piece of furniture. About 15 years ago he began to enjoy building furniture using reclaimed American Wormy Chestnut. All of the wood used is reclaimed from structures that have outlived their usage. This sets Yesteryear apart from other craftsmen as they are able to build wonderful furniture that has an incredible history. Most of the pieces built are of Shaker style. They learn the history of how the Shakers built their furniture. During this time in history, metal was hard to obtain and expensive, so they were forced to come up with methods to construct their furniture that achieved the purpose and would last for years. Stanik utilizes as many of these methods as they feel it is still superior to modern methods.
Botanical portraits are pierced, forged, reticulated, granulated, fabricated repoussé body and architectural adornment. This sculptor takes the jewel out of jewelry focusing on undulating and textural surfaces. Asymmetry and kinetic features lend surprising grace to the larger scale of this work.
As in nature, each piece is as unique as its botanical choice though there are many works in each series. Inspired by Spanish Moss and vines hanging from live oak trees, Taos morning glories, calla lilies, ivy, grapes, dogwood, the Heart Armor and Harriet Tubman series evolved from an inverted milkweed pod for a more abstract appearance. A constant voice in this work is the supple technique of diminished diameter forging. Sterling, 80/20 silver, 14-18 K yellow and rose gold, copper and bronze are occasionally combined with rare gems and Akoya pearls. Historically significant botanical symbols are interpreted with contemporary flair using classic techniques.
The Ray family has been participating in the Fair for more than 38 years, and are pleased to be joined by their son, Dennis, who continues the family’s tradition of creating natural botanical wearable art through a unique copper electroforming technique.
Dennis says “My art has been my sole vocation and my passion. Every year, I travel around the world on a mission to collect samples from nature, historic trees, vineyard leaves, noteworthy plant cuttings and return to my studio where I capture them in copper. Often finished with lush patinas and accent paint, each piece I create is one of a kind just as in nature.”
They have been honored to work on special projects with the White House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the World Wildlife Fund. Their work is also featured in Madeleine Albright’s book Read My Pins.
After earning my BFA and working for years in all aspects of an art gallery, including the role of jewelry buyer, I studied pre-Columbian jewelry techniques through an apprenticeship with a master jeweler. My work is done simply with 14-karat rolled gold wire using no solder or casting, just pliers, wirecutters, and most importantly, my hands. My focus is on filigree and intricate braided patterns, as well as contemporary, distinctly handcrafted pieces.
I design and make contemporary sterling silver jewelry using traditional metalsmithing techniques and tools such as hammers, anvils, mandrels, and torches.
Each porcelain ornament or egg features colorful raised detail, providing both visual and textural elements. Piazza strive to convey an emotion with every piece, the response being unique to each individual. Memories of holidays, family, history, or whimsy may all come to mind, the ultimate goal being the creation of future heirlooms to be passed down through generations.
Piazza has chosen porcelain as her medium, as it is smooth and refined in texture but also extremely strong. This clay body is most appropriate for the intricate raised artwork, the signature of her work. The pieces are cast from original molds.
Technique: This is a modification of the historical slip trailing technique used by potters throughout the centuries. The contemporary adaptation to the use of syringes provides the method for capturing the tiniest of detail.
All pieces are signed and dated by Anne Piazza, and include a certificate of authenticity.
2021 Artisans of the Year
Steinhagen’s work draws heavily on the redware pottery produced in the 18th century by potters in England and by the Pennsylvania German tradition. They create forms that mirror the everyday plain mugs, bowls, and plates used in homes across the American colonies, and take special delight in reproducing unusual and decorative forms – puzzle mugs, harvest jugs, pierced double-walled pieces, sculptural posset pots. They conduct ongoing research (both here and in England) to gain a deeper understanding of the breadth of work produced by early potters. Steinhagen often uses their findings as a springboard to create original works that speak to the traditions of the past and connect them to the present day.
Erich’s been a potter since he was in high school. We met in college in western Pennsylvania when we were both art majors, 45 years ago. He kept up with the pottery as a side gig through three kids and 30 years in a 9 to 5 job, but it wasn’t until about 20 years ago that Janice finally gave in to his encouragement to try sgraffito on his pottery. That’s when our work really took off. All the wheel and sculptural work is done by Erich; Janice does the sgraffito, and also makes slump-molded plates, brooches and ornaments.
We enjoy collaborating to create an interplay of the clay forms and the inscribed motifs, which freely borrow from both Pennsylvania German and British folk pottery traditions. And the use of text (again, a traditional design element for both German and British styles) speaks to Janice’s 40-year career as a journalist and wordsmith. One of our favorite current projects is creating mugs with quotes from our founding fathers and mothers, ranging from George Washington and Alexander Hamilton to Abigail Adams and poet Phillis Wheatley. Their words resonate even more deeply today, and we love engaging people in history through stirring words that speak to the present moment.