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July 16, 2026
![Mike Butz headshot.]()
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2026
CLEVELAND—Craft Kinship, a craft collective co-founded by Cleveland Institute of Art graduate Elisa DeLorme and current BFA candidate Connie Pieper to support the emerging artists, is partnering with Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) to present Summer Pop, a two-day pop-up art market that will feature work by CIA students, alumni and other local artists.
Summer Pop will feature a variety of art for sale, including ceramic tableware, handcrafted jewelry, blown and fused glass, hand-bound books, paper art, clothing accessories and more. Items are curated by Craft Kinship to showcase the diversity of its artists, which include members from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, reflecting the collective's mission to build community.
"Connection is where Craft Kinship starts—for the artist and the community," says Pieper, who is studying Craft + Design with a focus on Jewelry + Metals at CIA. "This is our response to the commercialization and automation of the world. We are bringing 'the human' back into our lives."
Summer Pop will be held from 8:30am to noon Sunday, July 19 and Monday, July 20 inside Market Hall at Van Aken District (3441 Tuttle Road, Shaker Heights). Artwork for every age and in every price range will be available at Summer Pop. A portion of the proceeds will support SHAC in its continuing mission to support local art.
"SHAC is proud to partner with Craft Kinship on Summer Pop, an event that celebrates creativity, connection, and the energy of local artists and makers," says Andre Taylor, Shaker Arts Council president. "We believe the arts bring people together in meaningful ways, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to building a vibrant and inclusive arts community in Shaker Heights."
This Craft Kinship event continues the co-founders' mission to support emerging craft artists through the difficult transition from school to established professional artist. Craft Kinship seeks to combat the increasing sense of isolation from each other and artists' communities. The community atmosphere Pieper and DeLorme experienced at CIA inspired them to form the collective.
"With the rise of individualism in modern culture brought on by industrial and technological innovations, it is important to remember hand-made traditions and connect with others," says DeLorme, who earned her BFA in Craft + Design in 2026. "As makers, preparing for this event has allowed our collective of artists to share production ideas and get feedback. When we organize vendor events, the artists are able to connect with visitors and share their stories about themselves and their art journey, making Craft Kinship sales more intimate and meaningful."
In addition to Summer Pop, Craft Kinship will be at two arts festivals in the coming months: the Orange Community Arts Fest from 10am to 2pm Saturday, August 15 at the Orange Art Center (31500 Chagrin Blvd., Pepper Pike) and the Tremont Arts & Cultural Festival from noon to 7pm Saturday, September 19 in the Tremont neighborhood's Lincoln Park (1200 Starkweather Ave., Cleveland).
To learn more about Craft Kinship, follow @craftkinship.cle on Instagram. To connect with the cofounders, follow them on Instagram at @conniepieperart and @delormejewelry.
Summer Pop was supported by CIA's Creativity Works program, which is made possible by the generous support of the Fenn Educational Fund and the G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation. Creativity Works is a self-initiated internship program with the goal of supporting a student’s professional development. Participating students create proposals that align with their long-term goals.
Contacts
Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404
Elisa DeLorme, co-founder, artist and marketing manager
craftkinshipcle@gmail.com / 501.209.0875
craftkinshipcle@gmail.com / 501.209.0875
Cleveland Institute of Art
The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 550 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.
Craft Kinship
Craft Kinship is a collective of artists based in Cleveland, all having originated from the Cleveland Institute of Art. We value the hand-made, the high craft, and the fellowship of makers. Our mission is to uplift craft artists, help facilitate their artistic careers, and partner with organizations running events for the community.
Shaker Arts Council
Shaker Arts Council (SHAC) is a volunteer nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich the cultural fabric of Shaker Heights by establishing the arts as a vibrant and integral part of the community. Our purpose is best described as "building the community through the arts and building the arts through the community." SHAC also presents Shaker visual and performing artists in events throughout the year.
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