October 1 + 2, 2016, 10am - 4pm
Artist couple Jonathan and Kate Mess will host their second annual open studio featuring Jonathan’s contemporary ceramic sculpture and wall objects and Kate’s handcrafted contemporary enamel and precious metal jewelry at their renovated barn home on scenic route 213 in Jefferson.
Jonathan Mess creates experimental works using reclaimed ceramic materials. Art critic Daniel Kany writes, “Mess’ slabs usually act like the unruly child versions of paintings. Their lines are wild, and their surfaces are varied and thickly textured with glazes, slips, fissures and irascibly independent materials that refused to be melted into line. In terms of ceramics, Mess’ casual boldness is remarkable.” He was awarded the Maine Arts Commission’s 2015 Contemporary Craft Fellowship and more, and his work shows nationally and internationally.
Kate Mess creates contemporary jewelry and occasional objects that are bold and edgy in both form and concept. Her work ranges from colorful enameled collections inspired by her coastal Maine environment, to eye-catching handmade wire chains designs, to delicately textured custom bridal jewelry. She designs and makes all jewelry by hand in her Midcoast Maine studio, and her work has exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Jonathan & Kate Mess Studios
2 Ames Lane
Jefferson, ME 04348
www.mainecraftweekend.org/2016-events-by-region/mid-coast-events/
ABOUT MAINE CRAFT WEEKEND:
Maine Craft Weekend (MCW), a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries, businesses and events, is an opportunity for the public to explore the life and work of craft artists and craft brewers in Maine. MCW is a public, educational, community oriented, family friendly weekend October 1 + 2, 2016. MCW is scheduled in conjunction with American Craft Week, a nationwide event promoting craft events each October. Modeled after Maine Maple Sunday and Buy Local Saturday, this self-guided tour features participants all over the state who are not regularly open to the public or who have planned special MCW events and demonstrations at their locations. Plan a route to include a pottery wheel lesson and a glass blowing demonstration in the morning, swing by a brew pub for lunch, wrap up the day perusing a craft show and start all over again on Sunday!
Maine Craft Weekend will be even better in 2016 thanks to a $41,000 grant from the Maine Office of Tourism intended primarily for marketing the event. In 2015 this website and other MCW marketing promoted over 200 sites and 540 individuals throughout Maine, drawing local and out-of-state visitors directly to the sources of Maine craft and craft brews. We plan to increase the number of sites and visitors in 2016!
Maine Craft Weekend is produced by The Maine Crafts Association with Event Partner, the Maine Brewer’s Guild, and Organizational Partner, The Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Made Program. These statewide organizations have successfully branded and promoted quality Maine Craft, Maine products, and craft beer, respectively; Maine Craft Weekend invites the public into these dynamic studios and businesses to see the magic behind the products they produce.
Examples of participating sites include individual potters’ home studios, craft galleries, glass blowing studios, outdoor installation sites, non-profit craft organizations, craft-based schools, craft beer breweries and craft beer brewery-restaurants. Events will vary by type of location and will include open studios, demonstrations, tastings, exhibitions, sales, tours, kids’ projects and other creative and interactive activities.
The public interested in visiting sites during Maine Craft Weekend can visit www.MaineCraftWeekend.org to learn about participants and events and use the interactive MCW map to plan their route!