Exhibitions

Congratulations to our award winners!

Hand-chosen in person by juror Harriete Estel Berman, the 1st through 4th place awards are:

  • 1st Place –   Betsy Kluga, ALLIGATOR WOMAN, QUEENIE
  • 2nd Place – Pamela Montalbano, Eyes like Hawk
  • 3rd Place – Dawn Blanchfield, Claudina, Smile More, Spectacular Spectacular
  • 4th Place – Matthew Skelly, Offering Vase

ABOUT BY HAND

Blue Line Arts is excited to announce the much-anticipated return of By Hand – An International Craft Nouveau Competition, a biennial event generously sponsored by the Creative Arts League of Sacramento. This esteemed competition exclusively celebrates handcrafted items and showcases dynamic pieces across a wide range of mediums, from furniture and elegant vases to jewelry, ornamental adornments, macramé, and sculptures crafted from glass, clay, wood, metal, and/or fiber.

By Hand and the term “Craft Nouveau” embodies the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative design, where the human touch transforms raw materials into exceptional works of art. This competition honors the skill and artistry of those who elevate everyday objects into meaningful, functional masterpieces. Each piece tells a story—one that celebrates folk traditions while pushing the boundaries of the medium to reflect the artist’s unique vision.

We are thrilled to share the creativity and craftsmanship that has unfolded in this year’s competition.

  • 2028 “By Hand” Extraordinary Fine Craft Exhibition

    Mark Your Calendars for the next By Hand Exhibition:

    January 15 – February 26th, 2028 – BY HAND EXHIBITION
    Sat, January 15, 2028 – Opening Reception – Blue Line Arts

  • 2026 “By Hand” Extraordinary Fine Craft Exhibition

    “By Hand”, an International Craft Nouveau Competition & Exhibition sponsored by the Creative Arts League of Sacramento was held at Blue Line Arts in Roseville, California January 10 – February 21, 2026. This extraordinary exhibition featured a variety of media and work of artists from 16 states. The Opening Reception and Award Ceremony was held January 17th and the People’s Choice Award as announced at our 2nd reception on February 21st.

    Harriete Estel Berman was our juror for this exhibition and personally delivered the awards at the Opening Ceremony. Berman is an internationally exhibited artist whose jewelry and sculpture—crafted from post-consumer recycled materials—deliver poignant social commentary on gender, consumerism, environmental issues, and the influence of modern advertising, with works held in major museum collections worldwide. Berman said, “My goal when reviewing work is to consider the craft skills and the concepts presented in each piece consistent with the exhibition goals. In addition, the materials, craftsmanship, and composition should uniquely express a singular “voice” of the artist. Ultimately, for an award, the selected work must best represent the artist, the exhibition and clearly engage the audience.

  • 2024 “By Hand” Extraordinary Fine Craft Exhibition

    “By Hand”
    January 20 – March 1, 2024

    “By Hand”, International Biennial Fine Craft Competition & Exhibition sponsored by the Creative Arts League of Sacramento will be held at Blue Line Arts in Roseville, California January 20 – March 1, 2024. The Opening Reception and Award Ceremony was held January 20. The People’s Choice Award was announced at the 2nd reception on February 17. We were delighted to have Elizabeth Kozlowski as our juror for this exhibition. Combining her passion for contemporary culture, innovation in fiber, art, & design, she is now serving her sixth year as Editor for the quarterly journal, Surface Design. The selected pieces exhibit the highest standards of workmanship, use of material and creative vision.

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The Magnificant Seven

To finance exhibitions at the Crocker Art Museum one of our fund-raising activities is “The Magnificent Seven”. We asked seven nationally known artists to create a special limited edition of 50 prints. We sell these exclusive prints at special fund raising events and to discerning collectors who may contact our organization through our website.

The original seven artists are:

Robert Brady – Serigraph
Roy De Forest – Lithograph
Kathe Keller – Lithograph
Gregory Kondos -Lithograph
Jack Ogden – Lithograph
Irving Marcus – Lithograph
Roland Peterson – Color Itaglio (sold out)

We have since added:

Larry Weldon – Color Lithograph
Viola Frey – 25 original plates (sold out)
James Estey – Exclusive poster

All proceeds from the sale of the editions are used for exhibition expenses. We expand our collection every few years.

Congratulations to the following winners in CALS biennial 2024 “By Hand” international Juried Competition & Exhibition:Thank you to our Juror:  Elizabeth Kozłowski

First Place: Susie Phillips’ watercolor and thread piece, He/She. See it at the By Hand Biennial Juried Competiton 2024.

Second Place: Rebecca Stevens created this piece, Afternoon Tea, using porcelain, underglaze, glaze and gold luster.

Third Place: Marta Nowak knitted Merino wool to create this piece, (Mis)Matched Pieces.

Fourth Place: Molly Sandweiss’ piece, Cracks In My Armor II, is created with sterling silver and embroidery thread.

Honorable Mention winners, left to right:
1. Nadine Meyers Saitlin with Fantasy Land (acrylic paint on natural gourd)
2. Laura Fortune with Living Room Necklace (cloissone enamel on sterling silver)
3. Bobbe Nolan with Flyover 16- River Run Free (fiber).

The People’s Choice Award Winner:  Dean Benson & Demetra Theofanous’ piece, When a Moment Becomes a Memory (glass).