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SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The American Craft Council's only Midwest show is returning for its 30th year to Saint Paul RiverCentre April 8-10. The show will feature more than 225 of the country's top contemporary craft artists presenting their latest handmade creations in jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor. This year, show-goers will enjoy tastings from The Balvenie, handcrafted single malt Scotch whiskey and a variety of area microbreweries from The Beer Dabbler, as well as the return of Make Room: Modern Design Meets Craft, Hip Pop and Let's Make programs, along with a new on-site exhibition: Style Slam.

The Balvenie | For the third year, ACC has partnered with The Balvenie to provide show-goers with the opportunity to experience the world's most handcrafted single malt Scotch whisky. The Balvenie will host tastings in the Let's Make pavilion where attendees will have the chance to meet The Balvenie Brand Ambassador Jonathan Wingo who will lead guided tastings, discussing The Balvenie's collection of award-winning single malts and how The Balvenie and the American Craft Council execute their parallel missions to celebrate craft.

The Balvenie Tasting Schedule:

Friday: 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. / 2 - 2:45 p.m. / 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. / 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. / 7 - 7:45 p.m.
Saturday: Noon - 12:45 p.m. / 1:15 - 2 p.m.,/2:30 - 3:15 p.m. / 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. / 5 - 5:45 p.m.
Sunday:Noon - 12:45 p.m. / 1:15 - 2 p.m. / 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. / 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.

The Beer Dabbler | The Twin Cities' Beer Dabbler, an organization focused on promoting the culture of craft beer, will host daily tastings from a variety of area microbreweries, including:

Friday:

Insight Brewing Co.
Bauhaus Brew Labs
LynLake Brewery

Saturday:

Lakes & Legends Brewing Co.
Boom Island Brewing Co.
Olvalde Farmhouse Ales

Sunday

Northgate Brewing
Eastlake Craft Brewery
Sweetland Orchard

Style Slam matches ACC visitors with fashion wearables. Love fashion? This is your year! Professional stylists will show how handmade pieces are the perfect fit for any fashion-conscious wardrobe in ACC's newest program, Style Slam.

Get creative as top artisans and industry experts let visitors get up-close to the creative process at ACC's experiential Let's Make Inspiration Stations. Fun for the whole family!

See craft in context at the home décor exhibition, "Make Room: Modern Design Meets Craft." This year's theme is "4 Directions," where designers and architects will create room vignettes inspired by fine craft that demonstrates the essence of style in the North, South, East, or West.

Plus, meet the country's top emerging artists! Stop by the Hip Pop pods dotting the show floor to see their contemporary pieces, ranging from sophisticated elegance to cutting edge. Look for the pink and black Hip Pop logo to locate these fresh finds.

With a variety of specialty categories, the American Craft Council Show in Saint Paul offers something for everyone. Shoppers will experience the work of hundreds of the country's most talented craft makers under one roof, while exploring the process each artist uses to create his or her work. Don't miss this opportunity to shop one-of-a-kind, fine-quality crafts while engaging with the country's most talented craft makers and tasting some handcrafted scotch and microbrews.

American Craft Council

No one understands the world of artful living better than the American Craft Council. The national nonprofit educational organization has been shaping the artisanal craft movement for decades, serving as a craft chronicler, tastemaker, convener and provocateur through its bimonthly magazine American Craft, annual juried shows presenting artists and their work, thought leadership conferences, awards for excellence, research library, workshops and seminars. For additional information visit craftcouncil.org or follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

EVENT:

The American Craft Council Show in Saint Paul

DATE:

Friday, April 8: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 9: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 10: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

ADMISSION:

$14 at the door
$11 for a one-day pass purchased online
$5 after 5 p.m. Friday night on-site purchases only!
Entry for children 12 and under and American Craft Council members is FREE.