Craftsmen Receive 37 Awards at Fair

The League of NH Craftsmen presented 37 awards recognizing the creativity and skill of its juried members during the Annual Craftsmen’s Fair Preview Party, which was held on July 31, according to a press statement.

The award-winning craft pieces are currently on display at the 82nd Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair, which is running now through Aug. 9 at the Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury.

Exhibition Awards Recognize Excellence in Fine Craft

Awards totaling $8,750 and two gift certificates were presented for exemplary work at the Fair’s three exhibitions: Living With Craft, CraftWear, and the Sculpture Garden. The CraftWear exhibition features stylish “art-to-wear” clothing, jewelry, and accessories for visitors to try on and purchase. The Sculpture Garden boasts a breathtaking display of landscape sculptures and garden ornaments. In Living With Craft, guests can envision their homes with a piece of handmade furniture, wall hanging or hand-crafted basket as they tour the exhibit, which showcases room settings with a creative fusion of handmade furniture and decorative items.

The award winners and sponsors are:

LIVING WITH CRAFT AWARDS

Best in Show: Sponsored by Corzilius, Matuszewski and Krause Architects, PA.

Award recipient: Terry Moore (Wilmot) for his console table

Best in Traditional Design: Sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank.

Award recipient: Terry Moore (Wilmot) for his sideboard

Best in Wood: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers.

Award recipient: Ted Blachly (Warner) for his Demilune table

Best Turned Wood Piece: Sponsored by Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers.

Award recipient: Claude Dupuis (Canterbury) for his segmented urn

Edith Grodin Best Collaborative: Anonymous Sponsor.

Award recipient: Peter Bloch (New London) and David Little (Meredith, NH) for their Prairie Chandelier (wood & metal)

Joe Tucker Metal Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens.

Award recipient: Paulette Werger (Hanover) for her Three Wishes Wedding Set

Stevens Glass Award: Sponsored by Nora and Norman Stevens.

Award recipient: Thomas Talpey (Washington) for Tiffany at Grand Central Terminal

Best in Ceramics- Functional: Sponsored by the NH Potter’s Guild.

Award for recipient: Iris Minc (Merrimac, MA) for her Turquoise Pitcher with Four Cups

Best in Ceramics- Decorative: Sponsored by the NH Potter’s Guild.

Award recipient: David Ernster (Newbury) for Large Form #1

Best in Baskets Award: Anonymous Sponsor

Award recipient: Sharon Dugan (Sanbornton) for her Ferns basket

Best in Weaving Award: Sponsored by the NH Weaver’s Guild.

Award recipient: Sarah Warren (Jefferson) for Season’s Pathway III

Gorst Print Awards: Anonymous sponsor.

Award recipient: Hannah Phelps (New Boston) for Turbulence on Appledore

Award recipient: Victoria Elbroch (Kittery, ME) for Dispersal III

Best in Fiber: Sponsored by Sue King of Skyeview Alpacas.

Award recipient: Brita Ek (New London) for Forbidden Fruit

Best in Mixed Media: Sponsored by Mike & Wende Lonergan.

Award recipient: Jim and Andrea Lorette (Westmoreland) for their Vessel of Mysteries

Best in Contemporary Design: Sponsored by Mike & Wende Lonergan.

Award recipient: Eric Grand (Concord) for his uplifted coffee table

Best in Photography: Sponsored by Cambridge Trust Company of NH.

Award recipient: Rosamund Orford (Norwich, VT) for Pastorale

Excellence and Innovation: North Country Studio Workshops.

Award recipient: Cynthia Cummings Birch (Canaan) for her pottery

SCULPTURE GARDEN AWARD

Best in Show: Sponsored by Vahan and Anne Sarkisian.

Award recipient: Joseph DeRobertis (New London) for Steel Fish

CRAFTWEAR AWARDS

Best of Show Award: Sponsored by John & Jill Schiffman.

Award recipient: Nancy Evans (South Sutton) for her Green Tea coat

Weaving with Wool Award: Sponsored by Pat & Chick Colony of Harrisville Designs.

Award recipient: Patricia Palson (Contoocook) for her Tuft Love cape

Best Use of Color Award in Weaving: Sponsored by Pam Michie and Melanie Connor of The Fiber Studio. Award recipient: Nancy O’Connor (Ashuelot) for her Twill Dance shawl

Best in Felt, Knitting/Crochet Award: Sponsored by Rebecca Brooks of Shear Innovations. Award recipient: Linda Sturgeon (Putney, VT) for her Salpiglossis dress

Best in Fine Sewing Award: Sponsored by Gretchen Rath of the Portsmouth Fabric Co.

Award recipient: Sharon Lindstrom (Belmont) for her hand-smocked child’s tea dress

Creative Sewing Award: Sponsored by EQA3 – A Quilters Gathering

Award recipient: Tom Hayward (Charlemont, MA) for his Stars jacket

Best in Jewelry with Stone Award: Sponsored by Janine Lep of the League of NH Craftsmen Concord Fine Craft Gallery. Award recipient: Deirdre Donnelly (Quechee, VT) for herLunasa II ring

The Sue Williamson Memorial Award Mixed Media Jewelry: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough. Award recipient: Blair LaBella (Lee, NH) and Lauren Pollaro (York, ME) for AMidnight Shore necklace and wall piece

Best in Metal Jewelry Award: Sponsored by Eleanor “Tin” Bacon.

Award recipient: Lynn Adams (Lyme) for her Sunapee Flower 2015 pin

The Sue Williamson Memorial Award Best in Clothing: Sponsored by Joe Goodnough.

Award recipient: Ann Lee (Lowell, MA) for her Dreaming in Full Color

Arts for All Award: Sponsored by Jean Laska & Robert W. Ladd.

Award recipient: Tom McGurrin (Sanbornton) for his Silver Line cuff

Best in Accessories: Sponsored by Molly Grant, Wild Orchard Guest Farm.

Award recipient: Joy Raskin (Concord) for her Shades of Green belt

Dorr Mill Award: Sponsored by Terry Dorr of the Dorr Mill Store.

Award recipient: Sarah Fortin (Mason) for her Ruffle Taquette Coat

Best in Jewelry: Sponsored by Pam Peterson of Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co.

Award recipient: Paulette Werger (Hanover) for her Night Sky neckpiece

Best in Seed Bead Weaving: Sponsored by Donna Nordlund of Bead It!

Award recipient: Deb Fairchild (Hampstead) for her Ice Storm neckpiece

Excellence in Polymer Clay: Sponsored by the New Hampshire Polymer Clay Guild.

Award recipient: Kathleen Dustin (Contoocook) for her Layered Fragments handbag

Most Original Piece: Sponsored by North Country Studio Workshops.

Award recipient: Joy Raskin (Concord) for her Shades of Green belt

Award for Innovation in Design, Technique or Medium: Sponsored by Anonymous

Award Recipient: Nancy Evans (South Sutton) for her Mosaic Madness felt coat

Public Choice Awards Selected on Aug. 8

Fairgoers will also have a chance to vote for their favorite craft piece. Visitors can cast their votes in the ballot boxes located at each of the exhibitions. The winners will be announced on Saturday, Aug. 8.

Fair Information

The 82nd Annual League of NH Craftsmen Fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, rain or shine, until August 9. Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors, students, active duty military (with ID), and groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for children 12 and under. A ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and demonstrations. A ticket for a second return day is available for an additional $5. Picnic areas, as well as a food tent, indoor cafeterias, and an outdoor Garden Café (serving adult beverages) are open daily. Parking is free. Please leave pets at home; only service dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds.

For more information about the Fair, or the League of NH Craftsmen, call 603-224-3375, email nhleague@nhcrafts.org, or visit the League’s website at nhcrafts.org.

Caption: Nancy Evans won for Best in Show in the Craft Wear exhibition for her green tea coat; Joseph DeRobertis’ Steel Fish won Best in Show in the Sculpture Garden category; and Terry Moore won Best in Show in the Living With Craft exhibition for this sonsole table.