Fine craft featured in new exhibit at Wayne Theatre

A new exhibit highlighting functional fine craft opens at the Wayne Theatre in December.

An opening reception for The Properties of Imagination: The Art of Fine Craft is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5-7 p.m.

“Virginia has a rich and distinguished history of functional craft,” curator Liz Moss said. “Craft originated to meet our basic needs, providing baskets for storage, pots to hold food, and blankets for warmth. Many generations of craftspeople have handed down time-tested traditions and techniques that master artisans use today.”

The works will be featured in the Exhibition Gallery on the second floor of the Wayne Theatre through Feb. 26.

The motivation behind the exhibit is to seek an answer to the question: How did functional craft evolve as fine craft?

“There are many academic arguments around what can be seen as a natural progression for makers,” Moss said. “The contemporary artisan has numerous options when selecting materials for their work. Their choices are no longer based upon personal survival or predicated on an end product.

“Instead we live in world where form meets function. The decorative aspects of fine craft are elevated to create a true work of art that can be recognized for both its function and aesthetic value.”

Contributing artists include Janice Arone, Ninni Baeckstrom, Mary Beth Bellah, Mary Ann Burk, Laurie Duxbury, Joan Griffin, Lotta Helleberg, Barbara Coyle Holt, Jill Jensen, Phillip Nolley, Vee Osvalds, Nancy Ross, Elizabeth Scheid, Joe Sheridan and Fred Williamson.

The Wayne Theatre is located at 521 West Main St. in downtown Waynesboro. The art exhibit is open Tuesday-Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or whenever the theater is open for performances.

For more information, call (540) 943-9999 or visit www.waynetheatre.org.