Philadelphia craft show marks 50 years with 195 juried artists
The event raises funds for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and features a limited run of pens made from a local hackberry tree.
By Robert Marshall ·
Nineteen-five artists and artisans will display textiles, furniture, ceramics, jewelry, and glasswork at the Pennsylvania Convention Center this weekend. The gathering marks the 50th edition of the Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show.
Nancy O’Meara, the show’s director and manager, stated that the event includes nearly anything that is handmade, provided it is not ordinary. She clarified that the definition of craft is broad, but the show seeks artists who take materials like clay, metal, wood, or fiber to the next level. O’Meara emphasized that these creators treat their work as a livelihood rather than a weekend hobby.
The show began in 1977 as a benefit for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, initiated by the museum’s Women’s Committee. Since then, the event has raised $15.3 million for the institution.
Sandra Byers, a ceramic artist from Rock Springs, Wisconsin, has participated in the show since 1990. At age 77, Byers attends only two or three shows annually, including the Smithsonian Craft Show and an American Craft Council festival. She and her husband, fellow ceramicist Winthrop Byers, cite the show’s prestige as the reason for their continued interest. Byers noted that the event is recognized nationally as a premier venue for craftspeople.
The selection process is juried, with panels of artists, curators, and teachers determining which applicants are accepted for each year. The Byers couple does not attend every year, often because they do not make the cut. Sandra Byers accepted this outcome, noting that it would be boring for visitors if the lineup remained static.
This year, the couple is exhibiting separately. Sandra Byers is showing decorative porcelain sculptures of organic shapes, while Winthrop Byers is displaying functional pottery.
O’Meara attributes the show’s enduring reputation to its changing roster. She reported that artists tell her visitors in Philadelphia are highly knowledgeable. Consequently, creators often debut their newest and most innovative work at this specific event.
To mark the anniversary, organizers encouraged artisans to create special pieces. Ryan Jones, of Roots and Jones, will display his fourth year at the show. He is known for making pens by shaping historic wood on a lathe.
Jones started his company in Kentucky in 2019 using reclaimed bourbon barrels. According to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the state warehoused 17.1 million barrels in 2025, a number that is almost four times its population of 4.6 million. Jones has previously used oak from a tree planted by George Washington at Mount Vernon.
For this 50th anniversary, Jones sourced wood from a hackberry tree felled near the Rocky statue at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. He created 50 limited-edition pens from this specific wood. Jones stated that this material connects the piece directly to Philadelphia. He plans to sell these pens exclusively at the craft show and had not yet determined a price as of a few days before the event.
The Philadelphia Contemporary Craft Show runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 6-8, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. A preview event is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5.
