Wednesday, september 12, 2007 @ 11:30 pm
 Preview
Tucked away within the thousands of acres of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in rural northwest New Jersey is Peters Valley Craft Education Center. From mid-fall to early spring, this peaceful environment is home to a handful of artists, all focusing on honing their skills. There’s blacksmith Maegan Crowley, who forges metal into organic patterns and shapes inspired by seed pods, bugs and other elements of the vast wilderness surrounding her workshop. Bruce Dehnert is in charge of the ceramics department, and is the active caretaker of the education center’s world-renowned anagama kiln. Karen Henderson weaves abstract compositions as well as her own line of clothing from natural fibers and dyes.
As spring unfolds throughout the valley, classes begin, and students from around the world come to learn from master artisans. In addition to blacksmithing, ceramics and weaving, intensive courses in fine metal work, photography, woodworking and more are offered.
At the end of this cycle is the annual Peters Valley Craft Fair, where artists come together to sell the fruits of the past year in a flea market setting featuring wandering bands of musicians, home-made food stands and art-making demonstrations.
When the dust settles, and fall creeps in, the valley grows quiet again, and the resident artists return to pondering their work – until next spring.
This CINE Golden Eagle and Mid-Atlantic Emmy award-winning State of the Arts half-hour documentary special focuses on the life of Peters Valley Craft Education Center, as well as the unique history of the organization and its place in one of America’s most beautiful national parks.
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Listen to ”Grow”
