Photos: American Craft Council Atlanta Show

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American Craft Council Atlanta Show, March 15-17 at Cobb Galleria Centre.

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It's a happy coincidence that the American Craft Council Atlanta Show will be held simultaneously with the Southeastern Flower Show & Antiques next-door to each other at Cobb Galleria Centre on March 15-17.But as visitors venture through the crafts show's more than 225 booths, many filled with works depicting flowers in particular and nature in general, it would be easy to think that the pairing was by design.Artists and craftspeople have always derived inspiration from the natural world. But in recent years, those showing at various American Craft Council shows around the country have significantly increased their use of natural imagery, whether it's in weavings, ceramics, floor cloths, wind chimes, silk embroidery or other media.ACC spokeswoman Pamela Diamond believes artists are returning to forms from nature as a sort of response to the difficulty of the recession years, and as part of a societal trend placing value on the more elemental aspects of living — including things locally made and farm-to-table cooking."Nature is a muse for artists, no doubt," Diamond said. "We're getting farther and farther away from it, and artists are kind of the keepers of this wisdom. They are trying to make us aware of where our roots are."People are questioning what they really value, and the whole crafts movement is reflecting things we can relate to, things that calm us."So, as a preview of the ACC Show, the AJC here presents a calming photo tour of some of the nature-inspired work that craftspeople from around the country will be exhibiting and selling.By the way, the crafts and garden shows are offering admission specials for Atlantans interested in experiencing both. ACC (craftcouncil.org/atlanta) is extending complimentary entry to Southeastern Flower Show ticket holders (good for same day entry only). ACC ticket holders, meanwhile, get $5 off entry into the flower show (www.sehort.org). HOWARD POUSNERAbove, this glass-on-copper tiles including "Karl's Flower" is a sample of work by Jenn Bell of Scranton, Penn., at the American Crafts Council Atlanta Show, March 15-17 at Cobb Galleria Centre.

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