In this hectic month of holiday craft shows, one event not to miss is the 24th Annual Holiday Sale presented by the Studio Collection, a group of 12 women artists who exhibit together.
The Holiday Sale, an eclectic mix of unique handmade crafts with prices ranging from $3 to $3,000, is held every year at the Harmony Lodge at Spring Grove Village on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year’s sale is on Nov. 17 and takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Studio Collection began in 1995 as a small art sale in the studio of one of the five founding women artists. The group quickly outgrew the space and, in 1998, moved to Harmony Lodge, allowing the membership to increase to 12.
When one of the core 12 members of the Studio Collection is not able to exhibit for the Holiday Sale, a guest artist is asked to participate. This year, the talented hot glass blower Rachel Strunk was invited.
Studio Collection member Pam Korte is in awe of her work. “Rachel has a sumptuous use of color and sensual forms,” she says. “Her craftsmanship is exquisite.”
Strunk is thrilled and humbled to be showcased at the Holiday Sale and will sell both functional and decorative vases, lamps, and ornaments. After graduating in art with a focus on molten glass from Ohio State University, Rachel apprenticed for two years with a glassblower in South Portland, Maine. She’s a therapist by day and, in her spare time, blows glass in her Walnut Hills studio, Cincinnati Glassworks.
She loves the creative expression of glassblowing and enjoys teaching the art as well.
Member artists in the Studio Collection are: Judy Dominic (nature dyed and resewn scarves and clothes); Jennifer Gleason (soap, jam, mustard, and heirloom corn); Renee Harris (mixed media); Lisa Inglert (handmade glass bead jewelry); Terri Kern (fine art ceramics and jewelry); Pam Korte (functional and sculptural porcelain); Mary Mark (narrative oil pastels); Susan Naylor (art jewelry); Sara Pearce (collages, prints, and cards with an antique spin); Margaret (Peg) Rhein (handmade paper art and cards); and Ursula Roma (metal art, paintings, and prints).
The members are active in their profession, participating in shows and competitions. To name a few of their kudos, Sara Pearce is currently artist-in-residence at the Mercantile Library; Terri Kern just closed a group show at Caza Sikes Gallery; Peg Rhein, Susan Naylor, and former member Pat Statzer are showing at Ruth’s Parkside Café; and Pam Korte and Terri Kern have work in the Clay Alliance’s 20 Year Show.
“The Holiday Show is a lot of fun,” observes Sara Pearce. “I was excited to be asked to join the Studio Collection because there is such a high level of craftsmanship among the members. I had been to the show many times in the past and greatly admired the artists in the group.”
Harmony Lodge is located in Spring Grove Village at 646 East Epworth, Cincinnati 45232. For more information, visit Cincinnati Studio Collection or call 513-662-9382.
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