Maine Crafts Association announces the MCA 2015 Master Craft Artist Award Recipient: Sam Shaw, Jeweler and Sculptor, Craft Community Advocate and Leader.
Join the celebration: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Friday May 15th, 7:00pm
The Maine Crafts Association (MCA), a statewide non-profit organization promoting the work of Maine’s craft artists, has named jeweler Sam Shaw of Northeast Harbor, Maine and as a 2015 recipient of the MCA Master Craft Artist Award. Recipients are selected for demonstrating excellence in craftsmanship, inspired design, a singular voice or style, and a career of service to the field.
The 2015 MCA Master Craft Award process began with nominations submitted from past award recipients. The 2015 recipients were selected by Carl Little, a writer, expert, administrator and advocate of art and craft in Maine and recipient of the 2009 MCA Craft Award awarded to supporters of craft in Maine.
SAM SHAW
Sam Shaw’s jewelry and sculpture reflect his inspirations and life experiences, from his degree in geology to a year-long trip around the globe, from nomadic winter residencies in America’s largest cities to time spent at Burning Man. Always impeccably designed and executed, he was one of the early adapters of beach stone jewelry, beginning a career-long interest in precious versus non-precious materials and focusing on the contrast and juxtaposition of seemingly opposite elements. Shaw’s beautiful and coveted twig jewelry line continues this exploration. His figurative sculpture and jewelry collection uses vintage porcelain doll parts, re-arranging them into figures of perversity. As does his recent body of sculpture incorporating vintage medical artifacts that question assumptions of science.
Shaw’s career of service to the craft community is a reflection of his leadership and rebellious qualities. His interest in progress has inspired him to serve as president of the Maine Crafts Association in the 1980’s and the Society of North American Goldsmiths in the 1990’s. When he found himself dissatisfied with the craft show circuit, he established a successful gallery in Northeast Harbor, Maine. His most recent project aims to help revitalize Northeast Harbor: He has purchased an empty lot on Main Street and plans to construct a building and offer low rent to new businesses catering to the high quality interests of residents and summer tourists.
Supporters, friends and family of Rebecca Goodale and Sam Shaw and the Maine Crafts Association are invited to attend the award ceremony Friday May 15th during a special reception at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, Maine. The public is invited to attend the award presentation from 7:00-8:00 PM, which will include the award presentation, a gift of the 2015 Master Craft Artist pins made MCA Professional Member Nisa Smiley, and MCA Lifetime Membership certificate. Goodale and Shaw will each give a short slide show presentation of their work.
Those interested in joining the MCA and the award recipients dinner at Haystack before the presentation, from 6:00-7:00 PM, please rsvp to sbliss@mainecrafts.org, there is $15 charge for dinner.