Art Critic for a Day: Last Chance to see 36th Annual Contemporary Craft Exhibition

by Mesa Arts Center | April 3, 2015

The 36^th Annual Contemporary Crafts Exhibition at Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum was not what I thought. Given the name of the exhibition, I thought I might see tables of craft projects for sale like hand-made gift cards for $1 each or the latest knitting fads mass produced for one and all to purchase at various prices under $20. Instead I walked in on a gallery of specialized, and extremely high quality pieces priced anywhere from $295 to $14,000.

Oh. So, not your basic craft fair.

So what makes these pieces worth the big bucks? True artistry and craftsmanship. For instance, look at the meticulous and minute hand stitching on this piece. Probably a million little stiches make up this gem of hand crafting.

“Grains of Time” by Gretchen Boyer deceived me. I thought it was wood carving but turns out it is actually ceramic with the appearance of wood grain. Who knew that could be done in ceramics?

Now, here is a real wood piece that is beyond comprehension. To achieve the spectacular graining in this rocking chair called “Flame” (by David Belthony) the wood was laminated slab by slab and then sculpted to achieve incredible artistic beauty in a functional piece of furniture.

I could go on and on about the pieces in this exhibit but you’ve got to come see for yourself the many “Contemporary Crafts” showing at the MCA Museum 36^thAnnual show. It ends Sunday, April 5!

By LaDawn Lingard

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