FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Mandy Wilson, 412.465.1637 | mwilson@contemporarycraft.org
ELIZABETH R. RAPHAEL FOUNDER’S PRIZE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AT CONTEMPORARY CRAFT
PITTSBURGH, PA (March 2022) – The finalists for the 2022 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize,
established in 1997 in honor of Contemporary Craft (CC) founder Elizabeth Raphael, have been selected andwill be included in the biennial juried exhibition Transformation 11: Contemporary Works in Glass (September9, 2022 – March 18, 2023) in CC’s Lawrenceville gallery. The winning artist will be announced and will bepresent to receive the $5,000 cash prize at the public opening of the exhibition on Friday, September 9, 2022,
from 5:30 – 8:00 PM.
The 2022 prize will be awarded in the category of glass, on the basis of an entry that has been created within
the previous 12 months and addresses the theme of “transformation.” The 17 finalists are asked to submit
their final work by July 15, 2022. In addition to the prize-winning artist, a selection of entries will receive
honorable mention recognition. “We are looking forward to the return of this flagship exhibition, whichcontinually offers an opportunity to explore creative concepts and innovative approaches in contemporary
craft, through the use of materials. It has been an honor to work with our jury to select a sampling of artworkfrom around the world to be shown here in Pittsburgh,” said Rachel Rearick, executive director atContemporary Craft.
The 2022 Raphael Prize finalists are: Dean Allison, Pittsburgh, PA; Eunsuh Choi, Rochester, WI; Donald
Friedlich, Madison, WI; Michael Janis, Washington, DC; Lauren Kalman, Detroit, MI; David King, Danville, KY;
Eriko Kobayashi, Carbondale, IL; Weston Lambert, Tacoma, WA; Patrick Martin, Emporia, KS; Hisayoshi
Muto, Yatomi, Aichi, Japan; Aya Oki, San Bernardino, CA; Miroslava Ptackova, Zlín, Zlínský kraj, CzechRepublic; David Schnuckel, Rochester, NY; Michaela Spruzinova, Ústí Nad Labem, brná, Czech Republic;
Ben Wright, Stanwood, WA; Ayano Yoshizumi, Everard Park, SA, Australia; and Hoseok Youn, Toledo, OH.
The jury for the 2022 prize includes Anna Rothfuss, Project Development Manager, Derix Art GlassConsultants, LLC U.S., Portland, OR; Heather McElwee, Randi & L. Van V. Dauler, Jr. Executive Director,Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Alexandra Raphael, enameller, London, England; Catherine Raphael,
metalsmith and writer, Pittsburgh, PA; Rachel Saul Rearick, Executive Director, and Kate Lydon, Director ofExhibitions, Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA.
For the exhibition, CC will publish a fully illustrated catalogue, featuring photo-documentation, biographicalinformation and source materials on each of the finalists. To complement the exhibition, CC will also produce
a short video on the prize-winning artist. During the fall of 2022, educational programs are planned toenhance visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of the technique and materials used by the participating
artists. A free hands-on art activity designed by one of the finalists will be offered in CC’s Drop-In Studio.
Transformation 11: Contemporary Works in Glass and the Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize are madepossible by Cathy Raphael, The George G Fund, and JENDOCO. Additional support is provided by theAllegheny Regional Asset District, The Heinz Endowments, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and theElizabeth R. Raphael Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
General operating support for Contemporary Craft is provided by Allegheny Regional Asset District, WindgateFoundation, The Heinz Endowments, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, The George G Fund, Cathy Raphael,
Opportunity Fund, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Elizabeth R. Raphael Fund of The Pittsburgh
Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Jack Buncher Foundation, The Fine Foundation, Giant Eagle
Foundation, Anonymous foundation, and by members of the Heart of Craft circle of donors.

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.