American Craftsmanship In Wilton

WILTON — When the doors open at the Wilton High School Field House at 8 am on Saturday, November 15, there will be nearly 1,000 people from across America in line. Why do they travel so far and get up so early to stand in line (the line starts to form at 6:30 am)? Because they know that this is the foremost show in America for beautifully made traditional work by contemporary artisans, as well as artists working in a more contemporary vein.

The vast Wilton Field House and the adjoining café annex will be filled with 150 talented men and women offering beautiful objects for the home, for gift-giving, and for decorating for the holidays.

A special feature will be wallpaper by Adelphi Paper Hangings and ingrain carpets by David Kline. These carpets and papers are being used widely in historic restorations, including at Wilton Heritage Museum.

Handcrafted furniture in the styles of the 18th and 19th Centuries will be available in high style work of beautiful wood and finish; colorful, robust country furniture; and paint-decorated objects that sometimes look like modern abstract art.

Will Moses, grandson of Grandma Moses, will show very traditional paintings of his New York state country home. Pat Palermino will show brightly colored contemporary folk art that is both folksy and sophisticated, while Barbara Strawser’s “dreamy” and surreal watercolors are reminiscent of Chagall, but very original.

Jim Lambert’s quirky sense of humor is interpreted in assemblages based on historical references. Much of the work, however, looks very much like the objects made in the 18th and 19th Centuries that are now considered to be important antiques.

Ceramics are also a popular attraction in Wilton. Don Carpentier, who is perhaps the most knowledgeable person in American when it comes to English potter of the 18th and 19th Centuries, is returning after a two-year absence. Mr Carpentier re-creates the work in exactly the same manner he has studied.

Greg Shooner’s redware pottery captures the appearance of Nineteenth Century redware, such as that made in Norwalk. Silversmith Stephen Smithers will return after a number of years with extraordinary objects for the table and lighting for the home.

Quilts, hooked rugs, hand loomed rugs or woven woolens, theorems, fraktur, scherenschnitte and floor cloths all will be represented. There will be great Santas, decorations and ornaments, fine jewelry and unusual, one-of-a-kind gifts that will become family heirlooms.

Early buying will be from 8 to 10 am on Saturday, November 15. Regular show hours are then 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. There will be two $100 door prizes awarded each day. Shuttle buses will be available for transport from the south lots.

Admission for early buying is $20 per person. Regular show admission is $9.

The entire proceeds of the show support Wilton Historical Society’s preservation and educational project. The Heritage Museum Complex has 14 outstanding period rooms that illustrate local life from 1740 to 1900. For an appointment to visit, call Marilyn Gould, museum director and show manager, at 203-762-9297. For information prior to the show, call the museum at 203-762-7257.­