GSHF at the 31st National Arts & Crafts Conference

The weekend after Valentine’s Day was a weekend for a different kind of love – a love of all things Arts & Crafts. The GSHF was fortunate enough to once again participate in this important event. Set at the inspiring and beautiful Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, the conference brings together experts, aficionados and those with an interest in learning about, collecting and celebrating this important movement in American decorative arts. More than 3,000 people were there, and according to conference director Bruce Johnson, that number set an all-time attendance record. Several of our board members helped staff our information table where we had the opportunity to share updates on the restoration of the Columbus Avenue home as well and showcase many photos of the restoration progress. We met many people new folks and enjoyed spending time with some familiar faces and supporters. This year we also distributed our Logo as a wearable pin and by conference’s end, they could be seen on participants throughout the venue. On the final conference day, Beth Crawford, Phase I restoration project lead from Crawford & Stearns Architects and Vonda Givens, Executive Director of Craftsman Farms led an interesting discussion entitled Saving Local Landmarks highlighting several of the challenges and issues of preservation. A great cap to the weekend.

Thank you to those who stopped by the table for the continued interest in the project and thank you to Bruce Johnson for allowing us to exhibit. For those not able to attend, here are some images you might enjoy.