Denise Wilz – “Peacock Platter,” redware ceramics – Macungie, PA

Denise Wilz – “Peacock Platter,” redware ceramics – Macungie, PA

Proceeds from Show Benefit Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites

Celebrate Bethlehem’s 275th anniversary at the inaugural Christmas City Artisan Pop-Up Shop where today’s crafts meet Colonial trades in this city steeped in history.  The event, which is free and open to the public, takes place Sept. 17-18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites’ (HBMS) Single Sisters’ House, 44 W. Church St, in Bethlehem. The historic building, built in 1744, housed single women in the 18th and 19th centuries and today is part of the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem.

At the Artisan Pop-up, 20 artists working in media prevalent throughout the last three centuries gather together to offer customers a unique glimpse into the past.  Traditional trades such as ceramics, textiles, glassblowing, metalsmithing, woodworking and soap making are all represented by beautiful, handmade works that are perfect for weddings, birthdays and even early holiday gifts. The show is presented in partnership with Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites as a fundraiser, and run by Ah-Ha! Arts Management, an organization specializing in tailored craft shows for a variety of venues.  A portion of all proceeds will go to support the nonprofit HBMS’ programming and historic building maintenance.

“We’re excited to partner with Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites for this landmark Pop-Up Shop,” says Ah-Ha! Arts Management co-founder Hedge Sefcovic.  “It’s amazing to see all these artists come together to pay homage to the incredible history of this wonderful city and be located in a house of such historic significance.”

To see two of the participating artisans in action, visit Sunday between noon and 3 p.m., when Denise Wilz of Wilz Pottery in Macungie will demonstrate her sgraffito technique on her redware pottery created in the Moravian tradition.  Sgraffito is created by painting the clay surface with colored clay slip and then scratching an image into the surface to the clay body below. Also demonstrating that afternoon is Germansville’s Patricia DeVries, who will show her intricate wheat weaving skills while highlighting this very delicate medium.

For more information, please contact Allison Mackenzie, co-founder of Ah-Ha! Arts Management, at allison@ah-haartsmgmt.com or visit Historic Bethlehem Museum & Sites at www.historicbethlehem.org.