The American Craft Council is excited to announce the finalists for the 2017 Rare Craft Fellowship Award in association with The Balvenie. For the last three years, the Rare Craft Fellowship Award has recognized and supported artists’ contributions to the maintenance and revival of traditional or rare crafts in America.

From a pool of qualified and talented makers, these artists were selected as finalists for the Rare Craft Fellowship Award by a panel of jurors. We are pleased to present the following artists:

• Abir Ali and Andre Sandifer, furniture makers
• Janice Arnold, textiles
• Amara Hark-Weber, shoemaker
• Sandra and Wence Martinez, painter and weaver (respectively)
• Emily Nachison, glass and installation

Thanks go to our outstanding jury panel, including:

• Anthony Bourdain, author, chef, and raconteur
• Michael Radyk, ACC director of education
• David Stewart, The Balvenie’s malt master
• Jennifer Zwilling, curator of artistic programs, the Clay Studio, Philadelphia

In a ceremony hosted by The Balvenie and ACC in New York City on April 18, 2017, one of these artists will be selected as the recipient of the fellowship. They will receive a cash prize and an artist residency in Scotland. Each shortlisted artist will also receive a cash prize.

We are honored to include these artists in our ACC family and to recognize their astounding work and efforts in the field. Congratulations to our 2017 finalists!

Read the press release for more information.