By Maria Allen
Photography by Jack Foley, Ben Barnhart, Anne Holden, and Kat Montague
In an era dominated by mass production, automation, and digital conveniences, artisan-made gifts are a breath of fresh air. From woven baskets and hand-thrown pottery to felted bags and silver jewelry, there’s a story behind every creation. The holiday season is a particularly exciting time of year for local artists and makers who, after months of hard work, emerge from their workshops and home studios ready to sell their wares. In an effort to celebrate independent artists from across the South Shore and greater New England, Plimoth Patuxet Museums is hosting its second annual Winter Fine Arts & Craft Fair on December 7th and 8th.
(For Event Details And A List of Participating Vendors: Click Here)
In addition to a wide assortment of vendors, the fair will feature food and drink as well as an opportunity for visitors to view inspiring artist demonstrations.
“Plimoth Patuxet Museums prides itself on being a resource for the community – in creating space for conversations and enriching experiences,” says Phoebe Cos, Plimoth Patuxet’s Special Projects Manager. “The Winter Fine Arts & Craft Fair developed as a way to spotlight local crafters and Indigenous artisans while driving community connection and understanding.”
Preserving Tradition Through Pottery
Top: Hannah Luckower decorates historical reproductions of pottery made in England during the 17th century. Below: Beth Roberts works at a pottery wheel in the Craft Center at Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
Two of the artisans participating in the Winter Fine Arts & Craft Fair are on staff at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Hannah Luckower, the museum’s lead potter, specializes in creating historical reproductions of pottery pieces made in England during the 17th century. She and fellow potter Beth Roberts work in the museum’s Craft Center, transforming unassuming lumps of clay into functional vessels. They also educate guests about traditional pottery techniques.
“It’s nice to know that we’re helping to keep these designs alive,” says Luckower, who graduated from The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. The traditional pottery made at the museum, known as slipware, is adorned with intricate designs that are created by applying thin lines and dots made of “slip,” a thin mixture of powdered clay and water. Finished pottery pieces are sold in the museum shops.
When they’re not at work, Luckower and Roberts follow their own pottery pursuits and each artist will take a turn showcasing examples of their contemporary work at the museum fair. “My personal work is bold, eclectic and colorful,” says Luckower, who lives in Middleboro. Roberts, who operates Through the Hoop Pottery and hails from Marshfield, enjoys making functional pottery pieces, such as birdhouses and bowls.
A New Wave of Nantucket Basketry
Duxbury resident Anne Holden is both a successful South Shore photographer and the owner of Shipyard Weaving Co. A multi-talented creative who has dabbled in many different artistic mediums over the years, Holden decided to take up basket weaving just a few years ago and it didn’t take long before she was hooked.
“I’ve basically been weaving every day since last April,” says Holden, who specializes in creating fine jewelry, handbags, baskets and vases in a style that is reminiscent of the famed Nantucket Lightship Baskets.
Unlike their sandy-colored predecessors, Holden’s elegant designs stray from tradition by incorporating colorful patterns made using vibrant hand-dyed reeds. “There are endless design possibilities,” says Holden. “I haven’t found anybody else using color like me.”
The Art of Silversmithing
A licensed therapist by trade, Kat DiFillippo Montague has always loved being creative. The Plymouth resident earned a Bachelors in Fine Art from Boston University before deciding to put her art on hold to pursue a Master’s in Social Work from Hawaii Pacific University. A few years ago, in search of a creative outlet, she decided to take a silversmithing class. Montague loved the experience so much that she eventually decided to start making jewelry as a side business. Magnolia Beau Silver (named after Montague’s daughter and a beloved pet) is dedicated to the art of handcrafted silver and gemstone jewelry. Her style is very eclectic and bohemian, with Western undertones thanks to her affinity for using turquoise stones. Her creations include chunky statement rings, earrings and sculptural silver bracelets. “All of my pieces are one-of-a-kind and I use ethically sourced stones from family-owned mines throughout the United States,” says Montague. As a busy working mom with a toddler, making jewelry has also become a relaxing escape. “With silversmithing you have to focus on this one thing. It’s very cathartic in that way. I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Fibers That Bind
Sue McFarland is a traditional felt maker and hand weaver who will be showcasing functional felted wool baskets and fashion accessories at the fair. McFarland began exploring fiber arts in 1982 as a hand weaver. In 2005, she apprenticed with a local felt maker and began creating both two-and three-dimensional felt work.
“My family has a long history as wage workers in the textile industry,” says McFarland, who grew up in the hilltowns of Western Massachusetts and now maintains a working studio, Wool and Weft, in the Mill at Shelburne Falls, which is located on the Buckland side of the world famous Bridge of Flowers.
“I was trained as a Fine Arts major in painting but was drawn to the creative challenges of creating functional work,” she says. Her felted products are produced using fibers from sheep flocks located within a 75-mile radius of her studio and her designs reflect a close association with the origin of animal fiber used to make them.
Art That Fuels The Local Economy
Beyond the aesthetic and emotional appeal of an artisan-made gift, making a purchase from an independent maker demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and an investment in the local economy.
“When you buy my work, you are not only paying me for a useful object made by human hands, but also the shepherd from the farm where I source the wool. You are helping to maintain the health of the fields and forests where the sheep graze. You are preserving permeable surfaces to absorb the rain and water falling on the unpaved land and maintaining habitat for other animals and plants,” says McFarland.
Making a living as an artisan has always been a grind. Yet, all across America–and right here on the South Shore–craftspeople are following their dreams and creating amazing one-of-a-kind gifts in the process.
WINTER FINE ARTS & CRAFT FAIR
December 7 and 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Don't miss this holiday shopping event that will be held in the Hornblower Visitor Center and other spaces around the campus at Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth. Visitors will discover a festive and bountiful showcase of independent artists and makers as well as hands-on demonstrations. Admission is $5. Children under 12 are free. Tickets purchased at the door. For more information, visit plimoth.org.
PLIMOTH PATUXET MUSEUMS
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360
Driving Directions on Google Maps
For best GPS or internet mapping directions from Route 3, use 26 River Street, Plymouth, MA
Note: If arriving at the Museum via Route 3 southbound, we recommend visitors use the Plimoth Patuxet Highway (southbound) Sandwich Road exit, then turn right onto Sandwich Road, travel 0.3 miles, and then turn right on River Street at Bramhall's Country Store. This route will ensure your arrival to the Museum is not delayed due to road work.