Washington,
DC—Every April for
the past 20 years, the Smithsonian
Institution has honored the best of
handcrafted American ceramics, wearable
art, jewelry, furniture, glass, leather-in
all, a dozen artistic media-in a juried
crafts show. The 120 artists whose
work is on display are chosen from
1,200 applicants, and during the four
days of the show, 20,000 visitors
buy about $2 million worth of crafts.
The Smithsonian also raises some $400,000
for special projects from a preview
partly and online auction. Above all,
this annual show influences the direction
of Americans crafts and now, perhaps,
the direction of cake decorating as
well.
This year, the Smithsonian’s
cake preview partly showcased a 13th
medium: pastry. Occasions Caterers
was commissioned for its pastry chef,
Martin Frowd, to reproduce items from
eight of the show’s craft categories
as cakes and to make another thousand
servings for the fundraiser’s
guests to taste. A scaled-down edible
five-drawer highboy echoed the painted
wood whimsy of Philadelphia furniture
maker Rachel Fuld. A chocolate teapot
mimicked Connecticut ceramist Hayne
Bayless’ hand-built clay original
with its curlicued handle. It all
suggests new partnerships for pastry
chefs, possibly with gallery owners,
museum curators, and even interior
designers.
–
Phyllis Richman |
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