by Katie Hill
This week, October 5 through October 8, York Suburban’s Library Media Center is hosting an event known as American Craft Week. This event is sponsored by the National Crafters Association. Its purpose is to shed light on the often overlooked crafters and artists.
Librarian Amy Kendrick said, “We felt like it was important to show students that there are things to do that are easy, inexpensive, and accessible. Something other than electronics!”
There are several exhibits being shown throughout the library. These include stations of scrapbooking, book making, yarn spinning, feltmaking, and many more. Through the hours of 9-12, students are welcomed to the Library Media Center to view these crafts but also talk to some of the people behind the crafting. During these morning hours illustrators, book makers, and even instrument makers are available to the students to show off their crafts. The volunteers come from the community, some are even York Suburban High School alumni. This includes illustrator Mitch Miller.
“People contact me and ask me to illustrate. Mostly I do wedding invitations, baby shower invitations, home decor, and gifts,” said Miller. Miller’s artwork varies between actual ink and digital design. His advice to all of those interested in a career in art is to maintain a sketchbook.
Throughout this week, art teacher Karen Fornadel has been taking her art students to explore the various exhibits. Sophomore Michaela Davis said, “I really enjoyed seeing the instrument maker. I play the viola so it so cool to see how they’re made. It’s nice seeing community interaction.”
This is also a great experience for students to be exposed to careers and interact with those in their community. “I liked the needle felting because the lady seems very into her work. It looks really time consuming but she seems to really enjoy it and I found that interesting,” said sophomore Brianna Perry.
Art student Calista Smith said, “The illustrator was my favorite. It was great to see that he made a career out of art because that’s kind of rare.”
The American Craft Week exhibits will remain in the library until Thursday October 8. Though they will be taken down at the end of the week. Kendrick will leave the wall display in the hallway until the end of the month.