American Craft Show at Pennsylvania Convention Center February 13-16, 1998

Furniture World Magazine

More than 1,500 North American studio craft artists participate in the world's largest wholesale craft show. Only in Philly will retailers find the finest production and limited-edition work for immediate spring delivery. Craft artists from across the U.S. and Canada show their best in contemporary, transitional and traditional work. The Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft is produced by The Rosen Group. Show Hours are February 13-15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., February 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. $25 on-site admission fee includes a one-year subscription to NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for craft retailers, a complimentary copy and special annual subscription rate to AmericanStyle magazine for collectors of fine American craft. (Reduced fee of $20 for buyers registering by Jan. 9, 1998.) The Buyers Market is organized by medium to help buyers plan their trips and to ensure that exhibitors get the best exposure for their work. Categories include Fine Jewelry, Fashion Jewelry, Wearable Fiber, Decorative Fiber, Wood, Metal, Mixed Media, Interiors, Outdoors, Kaleidoscopes, Glass and Ceramics. Back by popular demand, the Jewelry and Wearables Preview on Thursday evening, Premier designer exhibitors (new to the east coast wholesale market) are easily recognized with colorful banners and receive a special designation in the show guide. All new exhibitors are designated in the show guide. Guilds and other nonprofit organizations from across the U.S. and Canada are provided with complimentary booth space at each Buyers Market. Show attendees have the opportunity to view the work of these up-and-coming artists. Information-packed breakfast seminars on Feb. 14 and 15 will show the steps to take for Surviving and Thriving in the '90s. Presenter Todd Bingham has authored two books, A Manual for Art Sales and Keeping Your People–Hiring and Training Art Sales Professionals, and has conducted numerous sales seminars, moderated and co-produced a series of videos on the business of art and hosts an America Online art business advisory board. Work of the 1998 NICHE Award Finalists (both professional and student) will be on display in the concourse of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In its ninth year, the NICHE Awards, dubbed the Academy Awards of the craft community, recognize the outstanding creative achievements of U.S. and Canadian craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores. NICHE Award winners will be announced on the evening of Feb. 15, and William E. Strickland, Jr., founder of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, will accept the 1998 NICHE Humanitarian of the Year Award. More than 800 American craft artists exhibit their newest designs in production and limited edition work in all media. Scheduled for holiday and Valentine's Day buying, the Philadelphia Market of American Craft includes Philadelphia Craft Week, highlighting American crafts in local galleries. Market of American Craft events include breakfast seminars each morning, daily fashion shows, special theme exhibits and announcement of the 1998 NICHE Top Craft Retailers of the Year selected by artists.