Get Out of Hand
SCC_Out of Hand
Porter Loves Photography


Society for Contemporary Craft

March 21
7 p.m.

Get out of hand for a terrific local cause at Society for Contemporary Craft. Spring is the ideal time to tap into your inner crafter at Out of Hand, The Strip District-based venue’s signature benefit bash.

Celebrating all things hecho a mano, the festive annual fundraiser features hands-on art stations, artist-led demonstrations, live music and performances, an impressive silent auction and handcrafted spirits and local fare.

Gala-goers will fashion their own handwork with guidance from experienced studio artists and mingle with local “hand celebrities” who make a living with their hands. Attendees can also vie for outstanding auction objects handcrafted by nationally renowned artists, as well as unique art-related packages handpicked especially for the 2015 event.

Try your own hand at making paper with artists Katy Dement and Albert Pantone, fashioning assemblage pins with Gerry Florida, constructing handy origami business card holders with Wendy Casperson, creating enameled charms with Katie Rearick and Anya Weitzman, and crafting fiber accessories with Susan Swarthout.

More of a hands-off spectator? Watch in awe and up-close as artists lead on-site demonstrations, including weaving with Leigh Koegler, wood carving with Peter Park and woodturned bowls and wooden tops with the Turners Anonymous.

Out of Hand will feature entertainment provided by multimedia makers who also craft their art forms and work professionally with their hands, including lively music by John Marcinizyn and Susanne Ortner and dazzling fire dancing by Amanda Peck.

Get a henna tattoo with artist Lia Shaffer and create a crafty keepsake in the event’s photo booth. Fuel up with food and drink by everyone from Marty’s Market and Mon Aimee Chocolat to Enrico Biscotti Co.

Drab dress be gone! Get into the DIY spirit by donning your favorite handmade accessory, bespoke jewelry or even an entire outfit made from scratch.

Out of Hand typically sells out quickly so purchase tickets soon.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.