May 10, 2007

Next Day Art artist, Bonnie White of Canaan, NY ranks as one of the top traditional artisans in America, according to a panel of experts convened by Early American Life magazine. The experts—curators from such prestigious institutions as the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, American Folk Art Museum, Charleston Museum, Hancock Shaker Village, Heritage Center of Lancaster County, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Old Sturbridge Village, and Strawbery Banke Museum as well as antiques dealers, independent scholars, and professional instructors—selected the top craftspeople working with traditional tools and techniques for the magazine’s 22nd annual Directory of Traditional American Crafts. Bonnie’s handcrafted paintings showed mastery of the art form, heritage techniques, and workmanship, according to the judges.

“Bonnie is getting a strong response to her work for licensing opportunities and her artwork has recently been licensed for puzzles, cards, calendars and more,” According to James Meserve, president of Next Day Art, her licensing agent.

“As Bonnie continues to create and capture the attention of both manufacturers and consumers – her popularity will soar,” continued Meserve.

“The judges look for authentic design and workmanship, whether the piece is a faithful reproduction or the artisan’s interpretation of period style,” said Tess Rosch, publisher of Early American Life. “Scholarship, as well as use of period tools and techniques, is particularly valued in this competition.”

One goal of the Directory is to help preserve traditional handcrafts, part of our culture that is rapidly being lost in the digital age. Many of these skills were passed down from master to apprentice for hundreds of years, but now few new people choose to learn and master them. “If our traditional arts are lost, we have forgotten a part of who we are as Americans,” Rosch said.

“The Directory is a source for collectors and historic museums eager to own fine, handcrafted, period-accurate objects and also a means of supporting those who perpetuate the art forms that are such an important part of our nation’s heritage,” Rosch said. For licensing opportunities with Bonnie White please contact Jim Meserve at Next Day Art at jim@nextdayart.com or by phone at 207-761-4278. To see more of Bonnie’s portfolio of available work: www.nextdayart.com