MILLVILLE, NJ (September 14, 2018) – WheatonArts and Cultural Center is celebrating its 20th year of the Festival of Fine Craft on October 6 and 7, rain or shine! This event, sponsored by OceanFirst, features the works of 150 contemporary and traditional fine artists and crafts people. Throughout the WheatonArts campus, artists working in clay, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed medium, wearable art, wood, and more will showcase and sell their works of art. Visitors can interact with these artists and watch several unique demonstrations throughout the two days, in addition to the regular WheatonArts demonstrations in the Glass, Pottery, and Flameworking Studio. Special demonstrating artists during the Festival include Pauletta Berger of Handwovens by Pauletta, wood carvers Art Parkin and Hop Edwards, Allan Feinberg of Art in Coin, and many more! A full list of artists and demonstrations can be found at wheatonarts.org.

The crowd-favorite “Glass Pumpkin Patch” will be located across from the WheatonArts Pottery Studio this year. The patch will offer more than six thousand glass pumpkins in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors; each of which have been uniquely handcrafted by WheatonArts’ resident glass artists. All of the glass pumpkins will be available for purchase and visitors are invited to find their favorite pumpkins and share them on the Festival of Fine Craft Facebook page. Proceeds from the glass pumpkins go to supporting arts educational programming at WheatonArts. Included with Festival is a Beer & Wine Garden (Permit #60984), featuring Cape May Brewery and Bellview Winery. South Jersey’s own PackageGoods Orchestra will perform music for audiences of all ages. A variety of specialty and gourmet food vendors will line the food court with refreshments for purchase.

Families are invited to engage in the creative process during the Festival by participating in complimentary art making activities such as decorating Day of the Dead face masks, scarecrow construction, producing easel art with acrylics and oil pastels, making paper beads, playing games with sidewalk chalk, and learning how to weave. These art activities are presented by PNC Arts Alive! and will be offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Artistic hands-on opportunities, like creating your own silk scarf, aluminum casting, and basket weaving, are available throughout the grounds for additional fees.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, rain or shine. Fees are $10.00 adults, $9.00 senior adults and $7.00 students. Children five and under are free. Festival special: Admission ticket grants access for both days with a Tomorrow Pass, available upon request when exiting the Festival. Parking and shuttle service are free of charge.

For more information about WheatonArts’ programs, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit wheatonarts.org. WheatonArts is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through December. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Please provide two weeks notice for additional needs. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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About WheatonArts

With a history spanning nearly five decades, WheatonArts has earned regional, national and international recognition for its unique collections and programs. The Museum of American Glass, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, houses one of the most comprehensive collections of American glass in the country – from the first glass bottles made in America to celebrated works by Dale Chihuly, Paul Stankard, and other contemporary artists who work in glass. Visitors experience the art of glassmaking, ceramics and flameworking in the Artists Studios. From April through December the Museum of American Glass, Gallery of Fine Craft, and Down Jersey Folklife Center present special exhibitions. WheatonArts also offers traditional and multi-cultural programs, classes, workshops, performances, and weekend festivals. The award-winning Museum Stores offer traditional and contemporary art and craft in all mediums.

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