Celebrating National Craft Month
Did you know that March is National Craft Month? Created by the Craft & Hobby Association in 1994, National Craft Month was established to celebrate creativity by engaging in art and craft activities. To celebrate, people begin new and different projects using new and different mediums; they learn new and different creative skills and techniques while trying their hand at activities. Participating in such activities might even lead to new passions and/or the development of hidden.
WHAT IS A CRAFT IN TERMS OF ART?
Historically, the word “craft” was used interchangeably with the word “trade,” because a craft referred to creative enterprises undertaken for trade, with each based on a set of specialized skills; and each product was crafted for utility rather than aesthetics. These business pursuits included such crafts as weaving, pottery-making, metalworking, etc. Today, however, these and other crafts like needlework, leatherworking, woodworking, and more are practiced by artisans with greater emphasis on artistic vision.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL CRAFT MONTH
If you are interested in crafts, National Craft Month is a great time to explore the field in more depth! Some things you might consider to celebrate this creative month are using a craft medium you haven’t tried before, experimenting with art elements like color, and sharing your craft handiwork more widely with others. Trying a new medium is one way to step outside of your artistic comfort zone. And branching out with color and other art elements is a great way to broaden the scope of your creative vision and can lead to artistic growth. Showing off your craftwork is an opportunity to share your personal vision and voice via your artistic talent and style. It is a way to show the reality of crafting while reminding people that art is for everyone. Sharing your creations is also great for feedback from others that could help you improve your skills and techniques in the future.
From jewelry making, woodworking, and metalworking to fabric arts, ceramic arts, and glass arts, National Craft Month is dedicated to the experience and appreciation of craft artisanry. Take some time this month to explore new or different art and craft activities to celebrate!
The Naples Art District is home to the largest concentration of working artists in Southwest Florida, with over 70 professional creatives maintaining studios and galleries there. The Naples Art District (NAD) member artists share their work with unique art mediums and their artistic processes with visitors to the District via gallery exhibits and special events like art walks and demonstrations/workshops, in an effort to encourage people to learn more about and gain a greater appreciation of the creative and fine arts. Check out the work of NAD member artists. NAD publishes a calendar of events, classes, and workshops online for anyone interested in learning more about the arts from NAD member artists. Contact the Naples Art District online or by phone at 239-249-1977 any time.
RESOURCES
- “Craft,” Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craft
- “National Craft Month,” National Day Calendar