Craft Expo 2007 Marks 50 Years of
America's Finest Crafts on the Guilford Green
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, July 12, 13, & 14, 2007

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Guilford Art Center's annual Craft Expo returns once again to its roots on the scenic Guilford Green to present its extensive selection of handmade crafts by America's finest craft artists.

Craft Expo 2007 will bring approximately 180 artists to Guilford--a spirited mix of new and returning craftspeople whose extraordinary skill and vision help make the event one of the top craft shows in New England. Craft Expo remains one of the region's most-anticipated annual events, drawing attendees from throughout the Northeast to historic Guilford. It has been written up by publications ranging from Yankee Magazine to American Style, which included it as one of the nation's "Can't-Miss Craft Shows."

Visitors will delight in a wide array of functional and decorative art, including limited edition fashions (jewelry, clothing, purses, and accessories), home and office decor (furniture, baskets, floor coverings, lighting, cutlery and vases) displayed in large white tents for the three days of the show. Guilford is one of Connecticut's loveliest seaside communities, located midway between New York City and Boston, and its historic Green is surrounded by antique residences, venerable churches and quaint shops, a perfect setting for this prestigious show.

In honor of Craft Expo's Golden Anniversary, the event will feature celebratory events, including recognition of Expo's and the Guilford Art Center's founding families, raffle of a handmade anniversary quilt, a photographic historical exhibit, and an Artists' Commemorative Cookbook that will be for sale. These features will provide a festive added interest to the event this year.

The initial Guilford Handcraft Exposition in July of 1957 was a relatively modest event, when a group of local artists and supporters borrowed a tent from Page's Hardware (still thriving on the south side of the Green) and pitched it with an exhibit of their own handcrafted works. Yet the founders clearly were prescient in conceiving, from the first, that this would be more than merely a local festival, but a significant cultural event in the New England region. Witness the presence of Robb Sagendorph, Editor and Publisher of Yankee Magazine, who was an honored guest and featured speaker at the Exposition's opening ceremonies. The Handcraft Expositions served as the genesis, 10 years later, of the non-profit Guilford Handcraft Center (now Guilford Art Center), when proceeds were used to purchase property for the school, shop and gallery. Since then generations of adults and children have learned the arts of pottery, metalsmithing, weaving, painting and more, helping Guilford gain a reputation as a community where the arts are valued and celebrated.

Craft Expo remains one of the Guilford Art Center's most important fundraisers, with all gate proceeds providing support for its school and gallery programs.

Additional happenings this year include a Silent Auction of crafts donated by exhibiting artists, a Food Court of specialty food and drink, and a Kids Craft Area.

Craft Expo 2007 hours: Thursday, July 12, 12-9pm, Friday, July 13, 12-9pm, Saturday, July 14, 10am-7pm. Admission: Adults $7, Seniors $5, Members and children under 12 Free. For more information contact the Guilford Art Center at 203.453.5947 or email.

Click here to learn more about Expo 07.