The Way We Work, National Archives Trunk Show

I am very excited to announce that BEST team members Tigerlillyshop and OpenEyesPress will be selling their work at the National Archives trunk show event this week!

This invitational handmade artisan sale will be held Dec. 2-5th, 10-5 pm at the National Archives Shop on the National Mall in D.C., 700 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20408-0002.

You can find more information about the US National Archives here:
https://www.facebook.com/usnationalarchives?sk=wall

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Inspired by New Deal arts projects, which put artists to work and promoted American art and culture during the Great Depression, “The Way We Work” trunk show will feature the work of contemporary artists for sale at affordable prices.

There is going to be a lunch hour film program in the National Archives' William G. McGowan Theater Friday, December 2 will highlight Works Progress Administration short subject films.

Support the work of today's American artisans and the mission and programs of The Foundation for the National Archives, while shopping for meaningful gifts this holiday season!

4th Annual Holiday Booty Market

There's more than one reason to head to DC Saturday, for sure. I can think of, like, twenty. And they'll all be under one roof at the Holiday Booty Market inside the Design Within Reach showroom in Adams Morgan. This is quite possibly the last chance to get awesome handmade gifts form your favorite local artists including BEST's own Jen Menkhaus (the littlest bean), Sweet Pepita, The Garbologist's Wife, Jaime Zollars and Charm City Craft Mafia's Red Prairie Press.


Moonlight Bindery


de*nada



this chickadee


Tina Seamonster

Saturday, December 19, 2009 -- 10am-5pm
Design Within Reach - Adams Morgan
1838 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC

This Weekend - Arts on Foot

The 17th annual Arts on Foot Market in the vibrant Penn Quarter neighborhood of Washington DC will happen this year from Thurs. September 10 through Saturday, September 12. Artists will display and sell their work all three days, but the actual festival, which will highlight the largest number of artists, happens on Saturday only. The Art Market will span four city blocks between 7th and F Street NW with the Center for American Art and Portraiture as its backdrop. This is my first year to be involved and I’m very excited to be doing this show along with Shannon of Sweet Pepita and Jen McBrien of Jenny Jen 42.


Here is some of what you can expect to do….

- Browse and shop the three-day juried art market featuring fine artists selling a diverse selection of their original works.

- Participate in cool, hands-on arts and crafts and other family-friendly activities at the cultural corridors supported by The Pink Line Project.

- Taste signature dishes from 30 top DC restaurants at the restaurant sampling courts.

- Watch DC's premier chefs demonstrate their culinary talents in the O Organics cooking as art pavilion.

- Sample a variety of international wines and learn from the experts in the world market wine area.

- Enjoy a blend of exceptional local music and eclectic performances on two stages.

- Explore the neighborhood showcase of Penn Quarter cultural venues with special programs and activities for children and adults.

For more information including directions and transportation options, visit the Arts on Foot website.

Art Market // Thursday 09.10.09 & Friday 09.11.09 // 11AM - 7PM
Festival // Saturday 09.12.09 // 11AM - 5 PM

Post written by Shelly Daly.

Sew in the Capital of Craft

I'm a Baltimore girl. But my mom's from DC. And a bunch of my fellow BEST mates are from the capital area, too. So, maybe in the sports world there's a little rivalry between the two cities, but in the craft world, it's all love, baby. Hello Craft. Crafty Bastards. Summit of Awesome. DC Threads. The district has it going on when it comes to bringing folks together in the name of good craft. So listen up, Baltimore! It's time to love your neighbor!


Make the Lesley Circle Skirt with DC Threads tomorrow, June 13 from 1-4pm at North Michigan Park Recreation Center. Sew something awesome. And when you wear your new skirt, say you made it in DC with love.

Art-O-Matic

All Things Creative in One Place in DC

Before there are walls, carpet, and cubicles, there is art and music and lots of it, in a building on the corner of First and M Streets NE. Ten floors and over 1,100 visual and performing artists make up this year's installment of Art-O-Matic. Since 1999, DC-area artists have been coming together to organize and produce this annual free-hung group show. This year the show takes place on the concrete floors of an empty office building. Walls of plywood were erected as backdrops and lights were strung to illuminate the space. Besides that, the space was raw until artists came in and brought the space to life.

There is so much great work there it's hard to know where to start, but lets take a look at some of the crafts-people. The faculty of DC Glassworks make a strong showing on the 8th floor. DC Glassworks is a community glass shop offering classes, workshops, and hot shop rental in Hyattsville, MD. Four faculty members can be seen, Mike Showalter, Steven Jones, and co-owners Wyndell Williams and Dave D'Orio. Here's a peak at the work you will see.


Oil cans by Wyndell Williams.


Wall-mounted organ stemware by Dave D'Orio.


Jelly fish pendant light by Mike Showalter.

Art-O-Matic is up until June 15.
Hours: Wed-Thu, 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, noon-2am; Sun, noon-10pm; closed Mon-Tue
For directions and a full schedule of events including musical shows, poetry readings, and dance performances visit www.artomatic.org

Post written by VWStudios