The Artisans Center of Virginia 2007 Exhibition Schedule presents the national competition

A Twist on Tradition

Robert Lawarre III Best in Show

Emily Dvorin First Place

Tricia Lachowiec Second Place

View the Entire Exhibition

May 17 - June 27, 2007

Creative inspiration takes many forms. Many artists seek their muse from nature, others from a sensory response to color, while some use the tangible as a foundation for abstraction. However, most craft is grounded in methods developed by generations of artisans gone by. A Twist on Tradition looks to feature contemporary pioneers that have perfected techniques of traditional craft and have had the courage and the talent to spirit them to a new dimension. Jake Cress, master craftsman from Fincastle, VA epitomizes the goal of this exhibition. He uses traditional furniture styles and combines them with whimsy to produce exquisite works of art. Visitors will be able to view his piece “Self Portrait” at the Artisans Center throughout the exhibition.

About the juror:

Tim Glotzbach received his B.S. in Art from Indiana State University and acquired his Masters of Fine Art Degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He has served as Assistant Professor of Art at the State University of New York and was Professor of Art at Eastern Kentucky University from 1980-2001. Tim served as Faculty Consultant for arts-related projects with the Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Technology at EKU, and contributed to the planning of the Kentucky Artisans Center at Berea and Kentucky Artisan Heritage Trails project.

In 2001, Tim became the Academic Dean for the Division of Heritage & Humanities and the Division of Professional Studio, at Hazard Community & Technical College. He is also Dean/Founding Director of the newly formed Kentucky School of Craft in Hindman, Kentucky.

In 2003, the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program and the Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft honored Tim with the eighth annual Rude Osolnik Award. This prestigious award recognizes artists for their contributions to the craft community, preservation of craft traditions through teaching and sharing, and exemplary workmanship.

Tim serves as a member of numerous artisan organizations and boards and is currently Board Chair of the Craft Organization Development Association (CODA).

About Jake Cress, Guest Artist:

Jacob and his wife Phebe run a gallery and B&B from their home in Fincastle, VA. Cress can be found more often than not in his shop that he built in an old log cabin on the property. He is a traditional furniture maker who creates tables, chairs, desks and cabinets. Some of his work strays from the functional and combines a hearty sense of humor with an accomplished eye for design. Jake enjoys being challenged and was inspired to inject whimsy into his woodworking after telling a curator in Georgetown that a woman had left her gloves on the table. The gloves were part of the exhibit!

His “animated furniture” as he calls it has earned him a national reputation. Cress has been featured in numerous publications including Art & Antiques, The Washington Post, American Art, Fine Woodworking, Woodcarving, Traditional Home and has participated in many national museum and gallery Exhibitions. His chair, “Oops” #9 has been added to the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. To read more about Jake Cress and see his designs go to www.jakecress.com.

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