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footWork – 2009

Fancy “footWork” featured in CERF+’s 2009 Collection of Miniatures

CERF+’s annual collection of miniatures is in and this year’s treasure trove of footwear is impressive enough to make Imelda Marcos, the patron saint of shoe collectors, envious.
The collection, dubbed “footWork,” features 20 tiny fantasy shoes made by 21 craft artists from around the country who specialize in metalwork, clay, glass, fiber and woodwork.
One can only imagine, however, donning these Thumbelina-sized offerings. Polly Adams Sutton’s abalone shell wrapped in woven sweet grass is a delicate, pearly slipper, while Harriete Estel Berman’s Converse-style sneaker made of KIWI Shoe Polish cans is bold and sporty.
Forget about even fantasizing about sticking your big toe, however, in Judy Onofrio’s high-heeled number made from a toothy canine jawbone, appropriately titled “Ow!” Onofrio, who typically sports support shoes herself, dreams of wearing stilettos. But that’s about as far as she can go with heels. “Bottom line,” she says, “my feet are killing me.”
All the more reason to treat the shoes in this whimsical collection like mini sculptures.
Each piece in the collection is valued anywhere from $100 to $1,000. Raffle tickets for “footWork” miniatures are available on CERF+’s Web store for $50 each, or five for $200 through November 8. The winning tickets will be drawn at SOFA in Chicago, but you don’t need to be there to win!

Contributing Artists

Bonnie Bishoff & JM Syron, Linda Leviton, Harriete Estel Berman, Jackie Abrams, J. Fred Woell, Judy Onofrio, Lanie Gannon, Diane Komater, Nuala Creed, Polly Adams Sutton, Roy Superior, Susan Beiner, Wendy Ellsworth.

Also included but not shown: Shane Fero, Karina Guevin, Lisa Klakulak, Wendy Maruyama, Joyce Scott, Mara Superior.