CHARLOTTE, NC.- Now in its second year, American Craft Week is a nationwide celebration of the wonders of our country’s craft traditions and innovations. Beginning the first Friday of October and running for ten days, this year’s event will take place October 7-16 at galleries, artists’ studios, festivals and art institutions across the country.

“American Craft Week is an opportunity to spotlight the creativity of thousands of American artists who hand-make functional and decorative craft,” explained co-chair, Diane Sulg. “Their work encompasses a vibrant and vital sector of our economy, especially with the renewed emphasis on American made goods.”

Organizers are inviting galleries, artists, art guilds and absolutely everyone involved in craft to present events, such as studio tours, art walks, fairs and special exhibitions during American Craft Week. In 2010, more than three hundred locations held special events highlighting craft artists.

“In western North Carolina, we used American Craft Week as a theme to encompass more than forty separate events and bring tourists to our area. It was so successful, the participants are back again this year and want to expand the celebration to be at least a month,” exclaimed Sherry Masters, co-chair of American Craft Week.

To learn more about American Craft Week and to sign up as a participant, go to AmericanCraftWeek.com. The web-site provides planning suggestions, informational links and promotional tools which participants can download. The site also provides a link to each participant’s web-site giving them national visibility.

Co-chair Ann Pifer, points out “that American Craft Week has enjoyed the widespread support of the craft industry.” Major sponsors include the American Craft Council, AmericanStyle magazine, Craft in America, the New York International Gift Fair, the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), and wholesalecrafts.com. Additional support also comes from CERF+, CODA, and nextdayflyers.com.

American Craft Week is a project of the Craft Retailers and Artists for Tomorrow trade association (CRAFT). It is sponsored by the American Craft Council, American Style, Craft in America, New York International Gift Fair, Society of North American Goldsmiths, andwholesalecrafts.com. Additional support comes from CERF+ and PA Artisan Trails.