("Cooper Square," 17.25" x 16.25" by Nancy Nicholson)

The American Craft Council has announced its live demonstration schedule for the 33rd annual American Craft Council Show in Baltimore. Live demonstrations provide the unique, interactive opportunity for guests to learn and experience the world of craft with individuals considered to be experts in their area of interest.

The show is Feb. 27-March 1 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

A variety of dynamic demonstrations, presented by American Craft Council Show artists, local makers and arts and cultural institutions, take place throughout the weekend:

• American Craft Council Show artist demo: Patricia Uchill Simons’ ceramic art pieces have slowly evolved over the years into funktional pottery including a camel toothbrush, walrus menorah and giraffe candlesticks. She will demonstrate the transformative process of turning soft clay cylinders into delightful animal sculptures.

• Baltimore Clayworks, Maryland's only non-profit dedicated to the ceramic arts, will feature a group of their artists demonstrating a variety of clay techniques including Jamaican coiling, throwing faceting and slip decoration.

• Etsy artist demo: Juliet Ames of the Broken Plate Pendant Company will demonstrate how to make jewelry from shards of antique plates.

• Jed Dodds of the Creative Alliance at the Patterson and American Craft Council stained glass artist Nancy Nicholson will talk about Nancy's upcoming project in Baltimore -- the first city in her "Documenting Cities" series.

"In addition to adding another element of fun to the annual event, the live demonstrations also serve to further the Council’s mission to promote the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft," said Monica Hampton, Director of Education for the American Craft Council. "The opportunity for our guests to meet and talk with the artists has been a hallmark of the show since its inception. Providing a platform for the artists to actually demonstrate their creative process was a natural next step and has been well received by both our artists and attendees."

The American Craft Council will also present Awards of Excellence to eight artists at the Baltimore show. Six recipients will receive awards based on the overall quality of their work and two artists will receive awards for "Best Booth Design."

The Jurors of the 2009 American Craft Council Show in Baltimore are: Elizabeth Agro, Associate Curator of American Modern and Contemporary Crafts and Decorative Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art and Jacqueline T. Copeland, Director of Education and Public Programs, The Walters Art Museum. Elizabeth and Jacqueline will lead a walking tour to present the awards and discuss their criteria for selection at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27.

(Press Release courtesy of Profiles, Inc.)

(Image courtesy of Nancy Nicholson)