Crafty Creations

American Craft Exposition

10 a.m.-9 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.Sunday

Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, Lincoln Street at the lakefront just east of Sheridan Road, Evanston Admission $8; $10 for a 3-day pass (708) 570-5096 It's time to get serious.

After a summer of being inundated by the varied highs and lowsof art fairs, it's time for the big one - the stellar American CraftExposition, the end-of-the-summer show that aficionados of the finestin American craft look forward to each season.

But, let's not get too serious. This show is just as much funas any outdoor fest, but with the added attraction of museum-qualitycrafts. Artists are on hand to discuss their wares and make thecreative process come to life.

The American Craft Exposition began 11 years ago as a benefitfor the Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals. It has become one of thelargest and most significant professional expositions of its kind inthe country - a tribute to the crafts movement as art, not as hobby.

This year, 135 artisans were chosen out of 1,000 applicants.Among the items showcased by these artists are unique creations inmetal, clay, paper, fiber, porcelain, glass, wood, leather, ceramics,basketry, furniture and mixed media, all available for purchase.

"Many people come to buy, but others come just to look and talkto the artists," said Karen Ruberry, chairwoman of the event. "Theartists here are really accessible. And when you get to know theartist, their work takes on a whole new meaning and can becomesomething very special."

New to the show this year is a booth featuring work by twostudents from the School of the Art Institute. "We felt it was mostappropriate for the school to be represented at the expo as they,like us, are striving to teach others about the beauty ofAmerican-made crafts," Ruberry said.

The young artists are Tuyet Adkins, with her creative hats andbags, and Peter Gould, who will display his stunning lamps andfurniture. Both are painters by training who have found interestingnew ways to bring their ideas to other media.

There is no better example than these two emerging artists toillustrate that the American Craft Exposition is truly an opportunityfor the craft lover to discover the roots of the creative process.