Vivika DeNegre wonders if her shoreline neighbors in Branford and North Branford are as excited as she is to live minutes away from one of the most successful and longest-running craft shows in America — and one of New England’s premiere shows — the Guilford Craft Expo, which welcomes over 7,000 visitors annually.

As an accomplished fiber artist, arts publishing professional, and co-chair of the Guilford Art Center (GAC) board, Vivika DeNegre makes a great spokesperson for GAC’s 2024 Guilford Craft Expo, which brings over 160 juried artisans to the Guilford Green Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21. But she’s also not immune to a bit of “fan girling.”

“It’s such a fantastic event,” says Vivika. “Expo is one of my favorite activities on the Guilford Green each year, and I’m not just saying that because I’m on the board!”

Over two decades ago, Vivika was an out-of-towner drawn to attend the show for the first time.

“One of the reasons that my husband and I moved to Guilford was because we loved the Guilford Art Center, which was the Guilford Handcraft Center back then, and we had heard about the Guilford Craft Expo. That was really one of the draws to the whole town,” says Vivika, a 22-year Guilford resident with her husband, Gerard.

As one who can now peek beneath the tents each year, Vivika knows the tremendous amount of effort, attention to excellence, and general heavy lifting provided by the dedicated GAC team of staff, board members, and volunteers who put on the Guilford Craft Expo.

“This is a very important activity that we do as an organization,” says Vivika. “We also have a tremendous executive director in Maureen Belden, who has always been such a cheerleader for the organization.”

Belden says GAC is thrilled to welcome both seasoned collectors and first-time visitors to the 2024 Guilford Craft Expo.

“This event is a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and community, and we’re proud to showcase the incredible talent of artists from across the nation,” Maureen notes.

Vivika joined the GAC board two years ago and became its co-president in January. She recently retired from her work, including 12 years in national craft publishing, serving as quilting arts editor for Quilting Arts Magazine and director of content for Golden Peak Media. An accomplished fiber artist, Vivika’s looking forward to spending more time on her artistic endeavors. She began her creative journey as a little girl, under the mentorship of her mother and grandmother, also both fiber artists.

As an artist, Vivika appreciates the caliber and range of amazing work presented at the Guilford Craft Expo.

“This is not your average craft show. This is a highly curated, absolutely top-notch program,” says Vivika. “The variety of artists is so wide. There’s really something for everybody.”

As a nonprofit, GAC relies on fundraising to inspire and promote shoreline area community participation in the visual arts through education, exhibitions, and outreach. The Guilford Craft Expo’s ticket sales add up to GAC’s largest annual fundraising event.

“It is the most important fundraiser that we have every year,” says Vivika. “I think it’s also important to note that the artists get to keep 100 percent of what they make.”

Guilford Craft Expo’s ripple effect fans out to support area tourism, local merchants, and restaurants, she adds.

Now in its 64th year, Vivika can also attest to the fact that the Guilford Craft Expo resonates with artists nationwide.

“Because of my work with Quilting Arts Magazine, I’ve met people in different parts of the country who say, ‘Oh, I’ve heard about that!’ To me, that’s really exciting,” says Vivika. “I’ve had lots of opportunities to talk to different fiber artists, and at least two or three have said, ‘That is on my bucket list - I really want to be in that show.’”

As an artist who has exhibited at many shows, Vivika says one of the best takeaways guests get from the Guilford Craft Expo experience is the ability to come face-to-face with the person behind the work on display.

“They get the chance to meet with the artists in person and talk to them about the story of why they make their art and what’s so important about expressing themselves through their work,” Vivika says. “It builds a relationship between the person who’s viewing the art or purchasing it and the artist. It’s great for an artist to feel that connection, as well.”

Whether guests come to seek out their favorite artists or plan to experience the Guilford Craft Expo for the first time, GAC has packed this year’s event with exciting artists, options, and opportunities.

Guests will be able to shop among more than 160 independent craftspeople, artists, and makers of unique, high-quality work ranging from paint to pottery, leather to jewelry, textiles to woodwork, and many other exciting mediums. Food artisans will purvey more unique items (think gourmet vinegars, mushrooms, teas, nuts and syrup, hemp products, handcrafted chocolates, fine spirits and more). GAC’s Family Art Tent has hands-on fun for young visitors (and expo admission is free to children 16 and under). GAC also offers a silent auction of exhibitor-donated work, live craft demonstrations by GAC faculty and students, and the sale of GAC student work. The Guilford Craft Expo’s food truck area and live music by local bands and soloists performing throughout the weekend will add a festival feel to the event.

As Vivika points out, it’s all well worth the price of GAC’s very reasonable admission— including the $15 multi-day ticket option — especially knowing each ticket sold directly supports GAC’s efforts to provide quality, accessible arts experiences to the community.

Guilford Craft Expo 2024 takes place rain or shine Friday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m; Sat. July 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun.July 21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the Guilford town green, main entrance at 33 Whitfield Street. Admission: Adults $10, seniors (65+) $9, and free to GAC members, children 16 and under, and active military. Multi-day ticket $15. Free parking and a shuttle bus are available at Exit 58 commuter lot off Interstate 95 and Adams Middle School, 233 Church Street, Guilford. Visit artrider.com or guilfordartcenter.org to learn more.

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