Craft Expo 2011
Brings America's Finest Crafts Back to the Guilford Green
Event runs four days and includes Sunday hours this year: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
July 14, 15, 16, 17, 2011

In celebration of its 54th year, the Guilford Art Center's annual Craft Expo returns once again to the scenic and historic Guilford Green, celebrating the arts with its extensive array of handmade crafts by American artists. This year, for the first time, Craft Expo will be held for an additional day, Sunday, July 17, 1-5pm.

Craft Expo 2011 will bring more than 170 artists to Guilford--a mix of first-time and returning exhibitors, whose exquisite-quality handmade crafts consistently help rank this event as one of the top craft shows in New England and the country. The Guilford Green becomes a gorgeous, temporary display space for the one-of-a-kind works made by nationally recognized craft artists. As a celebration of the arts and a signature happening for the town of Guilford and the Connecticut shoreline, Craft Expo is an always highly-anticipated summer event.  

New this year, the event will run for four days and include hours on Sunday afternoon-dates are Thursday through Sunday, July 14-17-to even better accommodate visitors. Evening hours on Thursday and Friday are an additional draw,  when visitors can enjoy a meal, listen to great music, and enjoy the show in the relative cool.

"The Guilford Green is transformed into a virtual 'museum' during Craft Expo,," says Maureen Belden, Guilford Art Center Program Director. "There are works for everyone's tastes and in all price ranges, for gift-giving and for collecting. Visiting with and purchasing directly from an artist you admire is an incredible experience."

Artists from across the country are represented in Craft Expo 2011, with works in the following media: Clay, Glass, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media, Metal and Non-Metal Jewelry, Wearable and Non-Wearable Fiber, Paper, Photography, Polymer Clay, Soap and Wood. Many of the artists are from along the Connecticut shoreline and other towns throughout the state. Craft Expo is one of the Guilford Art Center's most important fundraisers, with all gate proceeds providing support for the Center's school and gallery programs.

Special events this year: Silent Auction of donated crafts; Raffle of 2011 Vespa LX50; Food Trucks & more, including Taco Pacifico, the Caseus Grilled Cheese Truck, the Naples Pizza Truck, It So Rich Ice Cream; music every day and evening, including acoustic guitarist Glenn Roth, blues guitarist Joan Levy Hepburn, improvisational rock by Rizzo's Dilemma, and JWalk jazz.

Craft Expo 2011 hours: Thursday, July 14, 12-9pm, Friday, July 15, 12-9pm, Saturday, July 16, 10am-6pm, Sunday, July 17, 1-5pm. Admission: Adults $7, Seniors $5, Members and children under 12 Free. For more information contact the Guilford Art Center at 203.453.5947, email expo@guilfordartcenter.org.