journal entry

Welcome Back to the 2021 Craft Fair

As many of you may know, 2020 marked the 50th anniversary of Peters Valley School of Craft. While we had planned for multiple celebrations to mark this important milestone, like so many other organizations, we instead faced a year of unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic.

But with determination and focus, and great support from our community and donors, we turned those challenges into opportunities and progress, and Peters Valley survived—and even thrived—during such a challenging year.

Our staff mobilized quickly to implement new virtual programs to ensure we could continue our mission while operating remotely. We turned our canceled in-person 50th Anniversary Craft Fair into a virtual event and expanded our online gallery. We even continued to make progress safely on some campus improvements, including building a new Noborigama kiln and doing intensive restoration work to one of our historic buildings.

Now that we are emerging from the worst of the pandemic, we are so excited to welcome the public back for the 51st Annual Fall Craft Fair at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on September 25th–26th, 2021. Over 125 artisans will be back in their booths, selling beautiful handmade work during the two-day event. There will be food, live music, and demonstrations, and the event will follow all Covid-19 protocols to ensure the safety of attendees and exhibitors.

Each year, the fair gives our local and regional community the opportunity to shop and learn from dozens of artisans of fine craft. This year, though, it also gives artists the opportunity to return to the marketplace, a vital step forward on their road to recovering from their own financial losses during the pandemic. By patronizing these artists, you are supporting the field of fine craft at large.

We are grateful to our community of donors and supporters for their continued belief in our ability to make it through the pandemic. Whether you tuned into one of our virtual programs, donated to the appeal, or shopped in our virtual gallery, please know that you are a special and integral part of Peters Valley. Thanks to you, we are well positioned to continue to build on our success—and the momentum we established this year—for years to come.

Together, we’ve made it through this difficult year. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Sussex County Fairgrounds for Peters Valley’s 51st Annual Fall Craft Fair!

Guest Entry-Kristin Muller

Executive Director, Peters Valley School of Craft