The organizers of the annual Guilford Craft Expo have faced many obstacles over the years while organizing one of the most successful and longest-running craft shows in America. This being New England, weather is always a wild card requiring contingency plans for both monsoon conditions and blistering heat waves. Another challenge is managing the troops of volunteers required to serve the 7,000 plus visitors and the more than 170 makers from across the country.

And, then of course, came the pandemic, an obstacle so large that the in-person event was canceled for two years.

So it’s understandable that when the organizers at the Guilford Art Center (GAC) are asked what they are most excited about this year, they respond that they simply cannot wait to welcome thousands of people through the gates of the show on the Guilford Green, at 33 Whitfield Street, from Friday, July 15 at 11 a.m. to the close of the event on Sunday, July 17 at 5 p.m.

“It’s going to the same and different all at once,” says GAC Executive Director Maureen Belden. “It’s the same, but it’s different because we haven’t done it since 2019. So we are really, really excited to be doing it again after that long hiatus. It will be the same incredible show that has 170-plus artists. But we are just excited to bring it back. We think it’s important to stress that it’s still here. It’s the show you’ve always loved. It has the same amazing mix of artists as ever. Our feeling is that people are going to be really excited to come back for it. They’ve really missed it. We’ve heard that from so many people, as well as the artists who want to be part of it again.

A Small Community Created

Fans of the annual craft show were not left totally bereft during the pandemic.

In 2020 GAC hosted a Virtual Craft Expo, in an effort to support both dedicated craft show customers and artists, some of whom had absolutely no events that year.

In 2021, with the pandemic remaining a threat, GAC started its Pop-Up Series, featuring local artists throughout the summer. Even as the annual Craft Expo starts up again, those pop-ups will continue since they proven to be very popular.

The in-person craft show is, in essence, a small community that materializes on the Guilford Green, one that includes visitors from all over New England and makers from all over the country selling everything from huge, magnificent original works of art to “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner” gluten-free cat treats.

Belden says the public’s fascination and appreciation for makers and making is something that she saw increasing during the pandemic years. She suspects that growing appreciation will make the kind of works and products offered for sale during the craft fair all the more attractive to people.

“People are definitely making things more than in the past,” she says. “We’ve seen that even at the art center with our classes. Through the pandemic our classes have been robustly enrolled and a good percentage of them were first-time students.”

She thinks people are increasingly interested in making things for a variety of reasons.

“I mean, I think, I do think it’s partly pandemic-related. For a while, people had more time on their hands. And then, more importantly, people realized that they should no longer put off doing things they always wanted to do and that doing those things meant learning new things. Right?”

People have always placed a value on meaningful gifts and possessions, she says, adding that meaningful gifts and possessions are available in profusion at the craft show.

“I mean, we’ve always said that about our show and about our shop. And it’s true. So, in terms of a trend, I think that it’s a moment, it’s a really good moment in which people are appreciating making things for themselves. I think it follows that if you have an appreciation for people making things that you also appreciate handmade crafts, food, drink, all of that. I think it’s a good moment for people to reconnect with what’s important, and that includes people making things.”

Honing Maker Skills

GAC, which has as its motto “creating art and community,” offers a wide variety of options for those interested in honing their maker skills. The art center’s summer semester kicks off on Monday, June 20, and adult classes range from open forge blacksmithing (for those who might want to make a knife with a hand-forged blade) to pearl knotting (in case you want to make pearl necklace). Other classes include a Byzantine chain maille workshop, pottery for all levels, drawing for all, dyeing with indigo, intro to leather working, and summer colors in watercolor.

There is also a summer youth program that welcomes young artists ages 5 to 12, along with a gallery, and shop to run. The classes do cost money but those who cannot afford them are encouraged to apply for financial aid. While proceeds from the gallery and shop do help defray the cost of that financial aid, the Craft Expo is the art center’s single biggest source of funds, and therefore essential to its ability to hire teachers, offer classes, and offer financial aid as well.

GAC Marketing Specialist Lisa Ste. Marie says the price of admission to the craft show ($9 for general admission, $8 for seniors, and under 16 years old entering free, with a link to a discount coupon available at www.artrider.com/guilfordcraftexpo2022) is a deal since it helps cover the costs for the show, helps GAC offer its other programs, and allows people admission to a weekend pop-up community of artists and artisans, and those who love the work they do.

A Little More Special

“I want people to appreciate these events. There are not that many of these events that are taking place any more. That makes them a little more special and more unique. And the fact is that we are able to have one here in our town,” Ste. Marie says. “You’re not going to find these cool things that people are making shopping online or in the big box stores. The findings are not what you are going to be able to buy anywhere else.”

Belden says, “What Lisa is saying is absolutely true. We are just really, really happy to provide this again. It’s a great event and it helps us provide our other programs, so it’s a win, win. We have not done this in 36 months. We are really excited to do this again, to be able to support the artists who participate, and to welcome people back to the show.”

What You Need to Know

The Guilford Craft Expo will take place on the Guilford Green, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford on Friday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, July 17 from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is with cash or check only, with general admission set at $9, seniors 65 years old and up $8; people under 16 years of age free, with a discount coupon available through a link at www.artrider.com/guilfordcraftexpo2022.

Both free and paid parking is available. There will be food on site, along with family activities, live music. The event is handicap accessible.

Directions

Driving: One mile south of Exit 58 off I-95.

By Train: The Guilford train station is at 325 Old Whitfield Street; It is 0.8 miles or a 16-minute walk to the main entrance at 33 Whitfield Street. Ubers and taxis are also available.

Free parking and shuttle bus service is available at Exit 58 of I-95 at the commuter lots or Adams Middle School on Rt. 77 (233 Church Street). On site parking is available at St. George’s Church, 33 Whitfield Street, for $10/day, or you can find free on-street parking at other spots around town.

For more information, including information about participating artists, visit www.artrider.com/guilfordcraftexpo2022.