Crafters wanted to show, sell work

    The Maine Crafts Association’s new Center for Maine Craft is recruiting Maine craft artists interested in selling, exhibiting, or promoting their craft work. The Center for Maine Craft is a 2500 square foot retail, exhibition, education, and tourism space for Maine Craft being built by the Maine Turnpike Authority at the new West Gardiner Travel Plaza on the Turnpike and Interstate. The Maine Crafts Association, a non-profit arts organization promoting Maine Craft for over 25 years has a lease to operate the Center. It will be open in November of 2008.     “The goal of the Center is to show the public the high quality and variety of Maine Craft, encourage travel to artists studios and galleries throughout the state, and increase recognition of Maine’s world renowned craft education institutions, like Haystack Mountain School of Crafts” states Tracy Michaud Stutzman, Executive Director of the Mine Crafts Association.
    “We are fortunate to have partners like the Turnpike Authority, Governor’s office, and Department of Tourism that have all been supportive of this project. The Center promotes some of the best cultural qualities of Maine and supports local small business people.”
    Craft artists, don’t miss your chance to reach hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit the Center for Maine Craft each year. Craft work will be purchased for resale at the Center, some craft artists will be offered consignment arrangements, and others still will be offered demonstration and promotional opportunities. Artists working in all craft mediums and at all price levels are encouraged to contact the MCA and sign up for a jury session in order to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
    Jury sessions will be: Saturday, June 7, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Bangor at Eastern Maine Development Corporation, 40 Harlow St.; Friday June 13, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Augusta at Maine Arts Commission, 193 State St.; Saturday June 28, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Portland  at Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St. (tentatively).
    For more information or to sign up for a jury session contact www.mainecrafts.org, info@mainecrafts.org or 564-0041. Jury sessions are free to MCA professional members.  Juries will take place in-person on a first-come first-serve basis.