I.C. Event Combines Local Talent in Art, Music
By Meredith Hines-Dochterman, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
May 10–IOWA CITY — Crafters of all kinds will hawk their wares at this year’s “What a Load of Craft!” event today.
“What a Load of Craft!” returns to The Picador, 330 E. Washington St., marking the fourth effort of combining music and craft-makers in celebration of Do-It-Yourself creations.
“Iowa City has always had a blossoming art and music scene,” said Jacki Becker, coowner of The Picador. “‘What a Load of Craft!’ unites the local art community with the local music scene for one spectacular event. It’s the perfect combo, a day of regional artists surrounded by great local music.”"What a Load of Craft!” is the brainchild of the minds behind Skirt, an Iowa City-based subversive sewing company, and White Rabbit, a local DIY art and apparel shop. Together, they organized an event where artists, craft-makers and musicians could set up shop to network with each other and showcase their music, art and homemade goods to the community.
The first “What a Load of Craft!” took place in the Hall Mall in May 2006.
Fifteen vendors will show case their wares from noon to 6 p.m. today. A wide variety of arts and crafts will be available, including jewelry, knitted and sewn apparel, paintings, bags and purses, wallets, T-shirts, prints and stuffed animals, with prices to suit any budget.
Browsers will shop to the soundtrack of local and regional musicians. Performers include Kate and Amanda, a local duo of high school musicians; Caleb Engstrom, a local singer-songwriter who has opened for Danielson Family; Ed Gray, an accomplished grungy-folk artist; and Quiet Bears, melody makers from the Quad Cities.
There also will be a record swap downstairs.
New to “What a Load of Craft!” this year is the “Craft Death Match.” Local crafters and artists have a finite amount of time to create a craft which will be judged by local artists and business owners.
Participants will compete to the soundtrack of heavy metal in a variety of categories — paper plate masks, Play-Doh food and puffy-paint sweat shirt embellishment.
The Death Match will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and winners will receive gift certificates from local businesses and crafts from vendors.
Participation is open to all. Registration starts at noon and is on a first-come, firstserved basis.
Event organizers stress that “What a Load of Craft!” is a non-smoking event. While it will be held in a bar, families are welcome and there will be activities available for children.
“We’re doing this because there’s nothing like this available for the community,” said event co-organizer Susan Junis of Iowa City. “We want to have an all-inclusive event that brings folks together for art and music.”
Contact the writer: (319) 398-8434 or meredith.hines-dochterman@ gazcomm.com
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Copyright (c) 2008, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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