PUTNEY — The 38th Putney Craft Tour, Nov. 25-27, is the oldest continuing craft studio tour in North America, according to a news release.
Traditionally taking place over the long Thanksgiving weekend, the craft tour gives shoppers, visitors, and collectors another reason to be thankful.
“Every year that goes by, it's a challenge to keep the tour current to draw arts lovers, shoppers, and the curious,” Ken Pick, one of the founders of the tour, says in the news release. “By partnering with other arts organizations and local restaurants in Putney, we're not only bringing more people to Putney with a three-day weekend of the arts, but benefiting a local nonprofit.”
Putney Craft Tour, Next Stage Arts Project, and Sandglass Theatre have joined forces to present this special Thanksgiving Weekend of Arts. Area restaurants also participate by creating a Putney Craft Tour lunch or dinner “special.” The tour also raises funds for the Putney Food Shelf.
Photo contest
This year also features the second photo contest, with winners receiving a $50 gift certificate toward an item from one of the studios and a night's stay at the Four Columns Inn in Newfane. Instagram users simply follow @putney_craft_tour and then post photos with the hashtag #putneycrafttourphotocontest. For those attendants who are not Instagram users, photos can be emailed directly to [email protected]. There is a limit of three photos per person.
With four new artisans on the tour, including a custom bicycle maker, two ceramists, and a furniture maker, there's a lot new for folks to experience, including demonstrations in 16 studios.
The Putney Craft Tour artisans are a diverse group sharing a passion for creativity.
Some made the decision early in life to pursue their dreams of making art, while others found their way after spending years in other careers. Some are following in familial footsteps. They come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Jesse Fox helped build robotic musical instruments displayed at the National Gallery of Art; Dena Moses worked on optical filters used in the Hubble Telescope; Josh Letourneau is described in the news release as “a local organic-produce Yoda”; Caitlin Burch has been following in her family's tour footsteps for years, while her brother Ryan is debuting on this year's tour; Parish Hill Creamery propagates their native cultures from the milk of Helga, Clothilde, Abigail, and Sonia - fine cows making milk at the Putney School.
Blacksmiths, jewelers, weavers and more
Stage performances include Main Streets Arts production of “Rosencrantz and Guildernstern Are Dead”at Next Stage on Friday and Saturday nights, Nov. 25 and 26. Tickets are $15. For reservations contact MSA at 802-869-2960 or [email protected]. Sandglass Theater features “Autumn Portraits Side by Side” with Eric Bass and Shoshana Bass. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. Tickets and information at sandglasstheater.org or call 802-387-4051.
The 22 artisans on the tour include blacksmiths, glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers - even artisan cheesemakers and winemaking. Part of the fun is meandering through the beautiful Vermont countryside, following the map to find these prominent craftspeople and view the works where they are conceived and created.
Visitors may start at The Gleanery, 133 Main St., for information, maps, and a preview exhibition of the artisans' works. Or visit www.putneycrafts.com for a complete listing of artisans and events.