West Coast Craft Summer 2015: Wrap Up
The West Coast Craft Fair (WCC) Summer 2015 has come to a close. fluoro was on ground to give you the main highlights of the craft and design event.
Located at San Francisco’s acclaimed Fort Mason Center, this year was the first to see the weekend-long fair during the West Coast summer. With over 260 artists, craftspeople, and designers, items displayed at the fair varied from ceramics, jewellery, leather goods and woodwork.
The fair featured workshops in conjunction with OGAARD, an Oakland-based textile gallery and studio. Key workshops included a spoon carving class led by designer Melanie Abrantes and a lecture on the subject of Moving Toward a Non-Disposable Life.
The WCC strives to showcase a West Coast ethos. Although not all of the artists and vendors hail from the West Coast, each embodies a relaxed, natural essence in their respective works. Architect Krizia Flores, of Concrete Geometric, noted how her concrete, multifunctional holders were very ‘California’—a description she often hears about her work when she frequents other fairs.
Concrete Geometric partook in WCC in collaboration with Converse in an initiative that was targeted to benefiting Youth Art Exchange, an organisation which provides art education to Bay Area high school students. Converse donated 200 pair of shoes that were customised by WCC artists and sold for US$60 each. Concrete Geometric cast their pair in concrete with a 3D printed emblem of the logo pasted on.
Other key artisans include Khoi Le, a prominent designer known for his eclectic handmade leather backpacks, ranging from a classic cowhide look to more colourful, python prints. His collection consists of one or two pieces with reiterations of different colours and textures.
Representing the best of West Coast arts and crafts, the fair also aims to bridge the gap between fine arts and crafts. This year, art installations, such as Giant Button Up Shirt, by transitional and non-demographic clothing line 69, were displayed throughout the space.
With modern and creative workshops, vendors, and installations, WCC will continue to bring the West’s finest handmade art, design pieces and and goods to the world.
Words by Perwana Nazif.
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