For those looking for a new venue the Craneway is an unexpected find — a diamond-in-the-rough sort of treasure in today’s landscape. This is very much the situation for the 46th Annual KPFA Winter Crafts Fair. Held at the Craneway Pavilion in Richmond on Dec. 17 and 18, the event has been renamed, henceforth to be known as the Craneway Crafts Fair in honor of its new location.
Originally a Ford Motor plant, the Craneway Pavilion was part of the Richmond waterfront harbor area that had been transformed in WWII for the war effort. On site is the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park Visitor Education Center, which opened in 2012.
“The Craneway’s natural light is stunning”, said Jan Etre, fair producer and spokesperson for KPFA Radio. It has received numerous awards for its architecture. Its location on the waterfront and 180 degree view of the San Francisco Bay are breathtaking.
For those who might want to do more than browse and shop, “The Bay Trail bike trail runs along it”, she added, “and The Rosie Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Museum will be open during the fair.”
Etre is very pleased with how the renovated facility has become an even more accommodating venue than expected. As she said, “we’ve found the perfect venue for this crafts fair as part of our bi-annual event. A beautifully restored historic building that’s flooded with a glorious natural light in which the artists can best present their work. And the location is not only stunning, but easily accessible, with ample free parking and a free shuttle we from the Richmond BART Station.”
As reported by Digital Journal last year, the annual KPFA fundraising event had to find a new home by leaving the Concourse Exposition Center on 8th Street in San Francisco. While the departure from that long-time familiar spot in San Francisco caused some anxiety and concern, Etre and others were confident something would emerge and so it did, in the Craneway Pavilion.
The renaming of the event only enhances it. “It’s now home to us,” said Etre. “And the name change helps tell people where it is.” She pointed out that this event promotes the important work the independent public radio station does for the community.
KPFA Radio has a reputation for embracing diversity and supporting local communities through its programming. KPFA broadcasts on 94.1 FM and KPFB 89.3 FM, Berkeley, and KFCF 88.1 FM, Fresno, and on the web worldwide at its website. “The signal is a powerful 59,000 watts, reaching one third of the state,” said Etre.
KPFA 94.1FM is the nation’s original listener-sponsored, noncommercial, public radio station founded in 1949. KPFA’s mission is to encourage cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression; to contribute to a lasting understanding between individuals of all nations, creeds and colors; to promote freedom of the press and to serve as a forum for various points of view, while maintaining an independent funding base.
Similar principles of discernment apply in the selection process of exhibitors for the Craneway Crafts Fair. The fair prioritizes a uniqueness of style, a high level of artisanship, craftwork created in studio (the artist/exhibitor must have an active hand in the making of their work), while trying to represent as much variety as possible. In addition to her work at KPFA, Jan Etre has been an advocate of artists and craftspeople for almost 30 years.
“Buying directly from the artist establishes a kind of aesthetic connection and engenders a relationship that may prove enduring,” she said. “Knowing where the materials came from or how the piece was made, garnering a sense of the artist’s vision, enriches our own world view.”
The crafts fair features the original hand-made work of over 200 jury-selected artists presenting a remarkable array of holiday gift options for people of all ages. Etre points out that the crafts fair showcases established and emerging talents in contemporary art and craft. This includes innovative designers who produce one-of-a-kind, handmade and limited edition goods in a wide variety of media. These artists and craftspeople combine new and traditional techniques with modern design aesthetics to produce appealingly fresh and innovative work.
Utilizing raw materials as well as found materials, the artists and crafts people are proud to be a part of a revitalized space. The Craneway’s renovation gives witness to the community’s ability to thrive and endure, especially through art and commerce.
Etre sees the vast array of jewelry at the Craneway Crafts Fair as an auspicious opportunity to shop for that special someone in our lives. “A piece of jewelry can be viewed as sculpture in miniature, artwork that will enhance the beauty of the person wearing it. The range of jewelry is astonishing,” she said, “and, all price points are covered, so shoppers in pursuit of a meaningful gift for friends and loved ones will be able to find something that suits both taste and wallet.”
Food, wine and beer will be available and live music will be performed. For admission prices, directions to 1414 Harbour Way South in Richmond on The Waterfront and more information, visit the KPFA 94.1 Public Radio annual benefit at the Craneway Pavilion Crafts Fair web site.
