Contact: Stephanie Sun, Marketing Manager
ssun@contemporarycraft.org
412.261.7003 x22
www.contemporarycraft.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contemporary Craft Receives National Recognition for Excellence in the Field of Craft
PITTSBURGH, PA – October 1, 2018 – Contemporary Craft (CC) is honored to be the recipient of American Craft
Council’s (ACC) 2018 Award of Distinction, a biennial award that recognizes an organization, museum, publication,school, or individual who has made significant contributions to the field of craft with a minimum of 25 years ofservice in the United States.
“We are thrilled to be the first Pittsburgh organization to receive ACC’s Award of Distinction. Pittsburgh is a thriving
city with amazing art and culture, and we are proud to be recognized by our national peers as part of what makes
Pittsburgh great,” said Janet McCall, CC’s Executive Director, “this recognition comes at a perfect time, and provides
momentum as we search for a new home after 32 years in the Produce Terminal. We know that our move will betransformational and will offer a chance to reach new audiences. We hope to have an update soon about our future
location. Meanwhile, we remain committed to being a dynamic, inclusive, and relevant presence in the region andmaking meaningful connections through the arts with people of all ages, races, gender, and sexual identity.”
The ACC Awards, which includes the Award of Distinction, have honored outstanding artistic and scholarly
achievement, leadership, and service in the field of craft since 1975. CC is proud to receive this recognition frompeers in the field of craft and from ACC, an influential, national organization that has championed craft in the UnitedStates for more than 75 years. ACC’s Award of Distinction calls attention to the fact that in addition to serving as acultural asset in the Greater Pittsburgh region, CC is also a nationally recognized leader in the field of craft, and, at
47 years of age, one of the oldest. At the same time, CC is humbled to be among this year's distinguished ACC
Awards recipients, a remarkable group of artists, many of whom CC has exhibited or partnered with over the years.
The ACC Awards ceremony and reception will be held on October 6, 2018 at the Minneapolis Institute of Art inMinneapolis, MN. For more information or media coverage, please contact Stephanie Sun at
ssun@contemporarycraft.org or at 412.261.7003.
ABOUT AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL
American Craft Council is a national, nonprofit educational organization has been shaping the artisanal craft
movement for decades, serving as a craft chronicler, tastemaker, convener, and provocateur through its magazine
American Craft, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, thought leadership conferences, awards forexcellence, and research library. Learn more at craftcouncil.org.
ABOUT CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
Presenting contemporary art in craft materials (clay, glass, fiber, found objects, metal, and wood) by regional,national, and international artists since 1971, CC offers exhibitions focusing on multicultural diversity and art, as
well as a range of studio workshops led by experience artist, community outreach programs, and a retail store. CCoffers meaningful art opportunities for 135,000 people a year through its mission of engaging the public in creative
experiences through contemporary craft. CC is located at 2100 Smallman Street in the Strip District of Pittsburgh,PA. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM. Exhibition and informal, hands-on art activities in theDrop-In Studio are always free to the public. Learn more at www.contemporarycraft.org or call 412.261.7003.
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