FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Mandy Wilson, mwilson@contemporarycraft.org | 412.465.1637
CONTEMPORARY CRAFT ANNOUNCES POP! PERSPECTIVES ON POLYMER - A FIVE DAY
CELEBRATION OF CONTEMPORARY WORKS IN POLYMER CLAY
PITTSBURGH, PA (March 2022) - Contemporary Craft (CC) is pleased to announce POP! Perspectives onPolymer, a five-day celebration of contemporary work in polymer, June 25-29, 2022 at CC’s main
Lawrenceville location. POP! will feature four workshops along with virtual talks by some of the best polymer
artists in the country, an exhibition of small works in polymer, and a curated feature in the Store. The opening
reception will be held on Saturday, June 25, 6-8 PM, and will be free and open to the public.
POP!’s focus on workshops and the materiality of polymer makes this boutique event more than just aconference. Each participating artist was selected for their unique perspectives on polymer and the exciting
ways they are moving the medium forward. “Contemporary Craft is thrilled to be launching this event. We’re
hopeful that this series will engage the craft community in dialogue around the medium, highlight exceptional
work being done in polymer clay, and set the stage for future events of this kind,” said Contemporary Craft’s
Executive Director, Rachel Rearick.
The featured instructor for the event is Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, whose pioneering techniques in polymer havemade him one of the most respected artists in the field. His jewelry and sculptural objects have been shownin many national invitational exhibitions, and his works are represented in numerous private collections,galleries and museums.
For complete details on POP! Perspectives on Polymer, along with registration information, visit
https://contemporarycraft.org/studio/pop-perspectives-on-polymer/.
Workshops & Virtual Presentations
June 25-26“Urban Spirit” with Jane Pellicciotto
The urban environment is a vast trove of inspiration for your polymer clay endeavors—from industrial sites tocracks in the sidewalk to the patterns in a building’s facade. In this workshop, we’ll focus on the basics, suchas color theory and mixing, proper curing (baking) methods, tools, finishing and findings. But we’ll also focus
on design principles, including rhythm, scale, contrast, balance and more—the building blocks to a
successful piece of wearable art.
“Shibori - from Textiles to Polymer Clay” with Debbie Jackson
Learn a variety of dye-resist techniques and create a striking collection of colorful patterned veneers ofpolymer clay that resemble Shibori textiles! Debbie will begin this class with a brief talk about the history ofthe art of Shibori textile dyeing. She will show her beautiful collection of colorful Shibori fabrics, along withfinished jewelry pieces for inspiration.
June 27-29“Hidden Magic” with Jeffrey Lloyd Dever
Using a variety of Jeff’s signature techniques, this class will focus on how to create sculptural necklaces withhidden magnetic clasps. We will explore a range of sculptural forms uniquely adapted for use in necklaces.
“Small Sculpture and Installation Exploration” with Laura Tabakman
Create three-dimensional polymer clay elements to make sculptures and installations. We will explore ways ofcombining polymer clay, wire, and other support materials. Students will learn how to make translucentbased canes, along with polymer clay sculpting techniques to create different kinds of plant life to build avocabulary of organic elements that interpret nature.

In the evenings, CC will host virtual talks with polymer artists, including Joseph Barbaccia and The Gathering.
Joseph Barbaccia will discuss his process of creating with polymer and how he uses technology in hispractice. The Gathering will discuss their exhibition Truth Be Told, which was born from the group’s
conversations around racism in the United States. This exhibition will be on view at Songbird Artistry in
Pittsburgh, beginning June 24.
For participants attending in-person workshops, the virtual presentations are included in the workshop
registration. The presentations will also be live streamed in CC’s largest studio for in-person attendees toenjoy together.
Exhibition and Store Feature
The POP!: Perspectives on Polymer exhibition includes small works in polymer by Madiha Siraj, Dan Cormier,
Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, and Joseph Barbaccia. It will be on view June 17 - August 27, 2022 in the Gerri Kay
Exhibition Cases at CC’s main Lawrenceville location. Admission is free for all exhibitions.
In addition to the workshops and exhibition, Contemporary Craft is also expanding the polymer offerings inthe Store. A specially curated selection of artists will be featured and includes Pop! workshop instructors
Jeffrey Lloyd Dever and Laura Tabakman.
ABOUT CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
Contemporary Craft presents contemporary art in craft media by regional, national, and international artists. Contemporary Craft offers
cutting edge exhibitions focusing on multicultural diversity and contemporary art, as well as a range of artist-led studio workshops,
community engagement programs, and a store. Located at 5645 Butler Street in the Upper Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh,
PA, Contemporary Craft’s exhibition and Drop-In Studio art activity are always free to the public. For more information, visit
www.contemporarycraft.org.