Holiday Festival of Crafts Celebrates New England Artists
Don't miss this three-day holiday festival featuring over 60 fine craft artists and their wares. Perfect for holiday shopping, the festival is held indoors and offers free parking and an on-site cafe for attendees.
Now in its 35 years, the Worcester Center for Crafts' annual Holiday Festival of Crafts features hand-made work exclusively in an environment where you can meet the maker, take your time, and the artist can personally assist you.
Taking a cue from the current wisdom of “shop local” and “locally sourced food,” the Holiday Festival pays tribute to the best craft of New England. This year’s line-up includes all New England artists including 43 from Massachusetts, 5 each from Maine and New Hampshire, 4 from Rhode Island, and 3 from Connecticut. Included in the artists from Massachusetts are four area artists with connections to Worcester and the Worcester Center for Crafts, Kim Cutler and Erika Jorjorian of Worcester, Lauren Beaudoin of Springfield, and Elizabeth Ryan of Spencer. Jorjorian, Beaudoin and Ryan all teach jewelry and metalworking at the Craft Center as well as create and sell their own jewelry lines. Cutler got her ceramics start at the Craft Center and is currently part of the volunteer leadership of the Center.
Where: Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road
When: Friday, November 24 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) - Sunday, November 27 (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Cost: $5 (children 12 and under - free)
The year-round Worcester Center for Crafts Gallery Store will be open as well during the Festival, making work available by over 300 other artisans from all over the country, including fine glass work by Simon Pearce.
An Economic Engine for Artists
“The Craft Center Holiday Festival is the perfect outing for Thanksgiving weekend,” says artists Melissa Rocklen who creates whimsical mobiles with crystals, polymer clay and other creative materials. “Each artist is carefully chosen by the juror who has a fantastic eye—I’m always impressed with the quality of art throughout the show. It’s inviting and casual, so you can talk with the artists about their process and inspiration. I can’t wait!”
Sponsored by UniBank, the Festival continues the tradition of the Worcester Center for Crafts as an economic engine for artists. “The Festival has become a tradition,” says Candace Casey who organizes the event each year. “It is our pleasure to promote the best of American handmade craft.”
Every year the Festival promises new, imaginative handmade gifts for all ages. Featured this year are mobiles, wooden puzzles for adults and for children, glass and ceramic ornaments as well as windchimes, wooden kitchen utensils, soap and candles, wearables, jewelry, children’s toys and more—all handmade American work.
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