About Our Meetings:

“It was 1978….we were young, fearless, and open to new adventures. There was a major craft renaissance…shows were beginning to become available, and several of us found out about the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and applied to the PGC show at F&M…and found an amazing group of craftspeople who welcomed us into the Guild family…”

So goes the beginning of the Poconos chapter history written by one of our founding members, Helen Weichman. The Pocono chapter joined the other established chapters in the guild and maintained a high level of youthful activity, gaining a seat on the Board of Directors and in 1980, a chapter member became president of the guild. There were 12 members on the original chapter charter. Chapter membership grew over the years and currently numbers about twenty.

In the 1980s, the chapter negotiated with the National Park Service to open a state guild crafts gallery in one of the historic buildings at Bushkill in the Delaware Water Gap park with a craftsperson in residence. The store was successful for several years and gave a number of young craftspeople a good start. The chapter sponsored auctions to raise funds for the gallery and for the guild facility at Tyler State Park.

In 1980 the Pocono chapter sponsored a craft show called Expressions 80 at East Stroudsburg University. This show evolved into the Pocono State Craft Festival, currently at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm on the fourth weekend in August. The Pocono show raises funds that the chapter uses to support community arts and fine crafts activities and youth art awards.

Our show is typically in August. To apply, visit www.poconocrafts.com to fill out an application and submit with images of your work and booth.