Craft artists take center stage at a showcase of the "best in the business"

The talents of the nation's crafts artists - featuring the best from our area - are on display at the weekend extravaganza at Nassau County Museum of Art. More than merely "arts and crafts," the artisans participating in this festival demonstrate that, in their hands, crafts are indeed an art form.Presented by the American Concern for Art and Craftsmanship, the show highlights the creativity of the nation's premier crafts artists. They represent every region of the U.S., selected from 1,400 applicants by a jury of professional crafts experts. Their creations range from the "unusual to the traditional," according to show organizers.More than 18,000 uniquely designed original items with a total estimated value of $9 million will be shown. One of the most spectacular is a hand-embroidered, multi-colored, originally conceived, silk framed wall piece of a "Women in Red with Swans." Fabricated by Xiaoning Lin, who emigrated from China in 1994, she carries on a 5,000 year-old craft handed down from generation to generation. This particular piece, priced at $5,300, represents over 800 hours of work that took over five months to complete.On a more reasonable scale, visitors can find a 4"x5" hand-tinted original design, limited edition, wall relief, which is sculpted and engraved in cast resin, depicting bare trees in moonlight, by Kirk and Rachel Badeau of Rhode Island, at $65. Also, examine a one-of-a-kind quilt embossed cowhide bag by Greg Roche of California, for $200.Twenty thousand people are expected to visit the booths of 120 master craft-artists who will personally present their creations. The selection is vast: an original 2 1/2 feet tall multi-colored blown glass vase; home furnishings, including furniture and dinnerware, diamonds, rubies and sapphires set in gold and platinum, and other precious jewelry; one-of-a-kind clothing, in silk, cashmere, and natural fibers; also, handcrafted toys fashioned from exotic woods and musical instruments. Be sure to check out the local artists. They are:

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Patricia Dash, of More Than A Card, Long Beach. She specializes in handmade cards and will conduct a demonstration during the event.

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Joseph De Maio, of Joe De Maio Woodturnings, Oceanside.

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Linda Mendelson, of Galaxy Collection Ltd., Rockville Centre. Her specialty is porcelain jewelry.Selected artists demonstrate their craft throughout the event. In addition, there is entertainment with violinist Lenny Khmel, and a performance by the North Shore Pops Orchestra's brass ensemble on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. The festival is a feast for the stomach as well as eyes. The many food concessions serve vegetarian, Middle Eastern, Oriental, and Italian specialties, fresh fruit, along with a wide selection of pastries, ice creams, cappucino, and herbal teas.Make your way to the Nassau County Museum of Art for an enjoyable early fall weekend of outdoor delights, and see how crafts become art.

8th Annual Craft As Art Festival