Design Students Join '100 American Craftsmen'

Now in its 45th year, the Kenan Center’s 100 American Craftsmen is a long-standing, popular juried show that draws artisans from around the country.

Numerous Buffalo State faculty and alumni have participated in the past, but this is the first year the event will include a dedicated space, the Annex Market, to feature the work of current design students. The show runs Friday, May 29, through Sunday, May 31, in the Kenan Arena, 195 Beattie Ave. in Lockport, NY.

Colleen Toledano, assistant professor of design, coordinated the students' participation at the event. "The department thought this would be a great opportunity to showcase current students' work to a large audience and to show the strength of the individual crafts programs at Buffalo State," said Toledano. 

Sixteen students working in a wide range of mediums will have their work exhibited:

Ceramics: Melanie Fisher, Stephanie Fowler, Julie Leone, Layna Mattson, and Jess Widner

Fibers: Emily Beresford, Robin Collier, Rebecca Dwight, and Mary Ann Tran

Metals/Jewelry: Robin Connell, Michael Kaczmarski, and Sarah Kieffer

Wood/Furniture: Scott Annese, Adam Ianni, Shawn Mergler, and Christopher Walsh

“It’s nice to see how so many representative parts of Buffalo State’s design programs will be coming together in one place at one time,” said Robert Wood, professor of design and ceramics program coordinator. 

The public will also have the opportunity to view Wood’s career-spanning show, Extraordinary Forms IV: The Ceramics Legacy of Robert L. Wood, which runs through June 7. The exhibit includes 37 of Wood’s clay and mixed-media sculptures and 12 pieces from ceramics program alumni. Gerald Mead, lecturer of design and art collector, curated the show.