Retrospective At Brookfield Craft Center And The Silo

BROOKFIELD and NEW MILFORD — Two of northwestern Connecticut’s most unique exhibition spaces, Brookfield Craft Center in Brookfield and the Silo Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford, have teamed up to present a major retrospective exhibition celebrating the artistry of teachers at the craft center over the past quarter century. “Twenty-Five Years of Fine Craftsmanship: Brookfield Craft Center Faculty 1975-2000,” on view June 19 through August 26, showcases the work of more than 100 specially selected artists from all over the country in two spectacular settings.

“The last time we mounted such a major national-profile faculty show was in 1976,” said Jack Russell, Brookfield Craft Center’s executive director. Mr Russell curated the exhibition, along with Judith Russell, BCC gallery director, and Kristin Muller, BCC education director.

“This will be a great opportunity for collectors,” Mr Russell continued. “We could not accommodate all of our more than 1,000 faculty members over the years, so we have invited just 100 master craft artists to exhibit.

“Our goal is to present the quintessential craft exhibition, the vest best examples which represent the full spectrum of craft disciplines for which the center is well known – ceramics, woodworking, forging, jewelry design, weaving, glassblowing, metalsmithing, fiber and folk art,” continued Mr Russell.

“Both indoor and outdoor environments will be featured. We are fortunate to have not only our own expanded galleries, but also the very spectacular space at the Silo,” he added. The center also plans to produce an exhibition catalogue on CD-ROM.

Ruth Henderson, the founder of the Silo Gallery, Cooking School and Store and the wife of world famous musician Skitch Henderson, said, “We are happy to participate in this exhibition to celebrate our 25 years of friendship and creative collaboration with Brookfield Craft Center.” Gallery hours at the Silo are Wednesday to Monday, 10 am to 5 pm.

Established in 1954, Brookfield Craft Center is a nationally respected non-profit institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the skills and values of American craftsmanship. It is located on Route 25 near the intersection with Route 7/202 in Brookfield, a few miles north of Danbury.

Gallery hours at the craft center are Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday noon to 5 pm. For further information call 203-775-4526 or visit www.BrookfieldCraftCenter.org.