Inland Crafts go ‘green’
While ‘found objects’ are often common, many artists seem to be going to extremes with recycled materials
There’s no telling what will set off a trend in art. Maybe it’s the move to go “green.” Maybe it’s the idea of making do with what you have. Either way, Louise Kodis, an artist and board member of Inland Crafts, spotted a trend in preparing for this year’s show.
“One of the things I noticed about several of the artists is that a lot are using recycled materials in their art,” she said.
The notion of using “found objects” in art is not new; Marcel Duchamp in the early 20th century famously put everyday objects on display as “art.” Kodis uses found fabrics in her one-of-a-kind pillows.
Still, it seems her fellow artists are getting into the recycling mode and several of them will have work for sale at this weekend’s 26th annual Inland Crafts show.
Rick Nelson uses bottle caps and tin cans to create whimsical masks and shapes. Craig Windom brings recycled and reclaimed wood to his furniture. Chris Giffin creates handmade clocks and jewelry incorporating interesting bits and pieces. Jim LeGette’s quirky sculptures mix metal and wood in whimsical ways.
As Spokane artist Larry Ellingson said on the Inland Crafts Web site, “I create boxes, lanterns and things that are fun to look at, presenting everyday things in new ways. It’s 3D doodling with what I find and collect: junk, texture, media, images, light and, sometimes, sounds. Many of us wander through our imaginations. I bring back souvenirs.”
These are a handful of the 70 artisans from six Western states who will sell their wares at the 26th annual Inland Crafts show this weekend at the Spokane Convention Center. The media represented range from handcrafted clothing and turned wood bowls to photography and musical instruments.
There’s no doubt that in these scary economic times, some people will think twice about what they buy at a craft show. But Kodis said vendors this fall have found enthusiastic buyers at other shows.
“It’s the same as always,” she said. “Sometimes you have good sales and sometimes it’s less than what you want.”
Still, Kodis has good news out there for shoppers.
“At Inland Craft, people will be able to find a number of wonderful things for $100 or less,” she said.
The show is juried “for excellence and diversity in mediums,” Kodis said, adding that there will be variety in a number of price ranges.
Seventy vendors is a comfortable size, Kodis said. A few years ago, the number of sellers went as high as 90. That was too big, she said.
“We like the idea of 70 because it gives everybody a chance to be well seen,” she said, adding that it also helps keep visitors from feeling overwhelmed. “It’s something you can do in a two hours.”
In addition to fine arts and crafts, visitors to the convention center will be able to check out an array of artist demonstrations, enjoy live music from the Don Goodwin Jazz Trio, and perhaps do a little early holiday shopping.
“We hear from so many people who say, ‘Oh, I’m going to do all my shopping here this year,’ ” Kodis said. “Then once they get here it’s ‘I’m getting this for myself.’ ”