PITTSBURGH – The 56th annual A Fair in the Park, presented by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, will run Friday, Sep. 5, through Sunday, Sep. 7. This public event is free and will take place rain or shine.
Hours are 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The three-day event will feature regional artists and craftsmen working in clay, fiber, wood, jewelry, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, and two-dimensional art. Many of the fine art pieces highlight a balance of function and beauty.
Returning artists include Janet Watkins, Libby Scutt, Stevo Sadvary, and Mitzi Hall, who will share their stories and journeys with attendees.
About 60% of the participants are members of the Craftsmen’s Guild, while the rest of the participating artists are selected by a jury from a pool of national and international applicants. Organizers say the event is artist-led, artist-run, and artist-centered.
The guild, which began as a ceramics guild, promotes the value of fine craftsmanship. Organizers say the event stands out from other Pittsburgh arts festivals by focusing on high-quality handmade works of varying materials.
“There are 100 local and national fine artists and craftspeople,” fair Director Carrie Nardini told local news. “Approximately half of the artists will be local favorites returning to the fair or new artists joining us for the first time.”
Fair activities will also include a parkwide scavenger hunt, made in collaboration with Friends of Mellon Park, and live music organized by nonprofit Calliope.
Nancy Smeltzer, a guild member who specializes in clay, said she is fascinated by how wood fire, ash and salt embellish her work. “I like to envision most of my work on the table or in the hand to celebrate the everyday ritual of eating and drinking,” she said.
