- Monna Morton
- Creative Visionary
Gallery Show Opening, with my mosaic “Healing”
by Monna Morton, SIS Creative Visionary
I had the honor of attending the 2nd Great Craft Gathering for the second year—both as a presenter and as a participant. This four-day weekend was nothing short of transformative. It created a calm, nourishing space where artists could not only create, but breathe.
I shared this experience with 35 other artists, including nine from Philadelphia—quilters, textile and fiber artists, furniture painters, collage makers, ceramicists, and mixed media visionaries. Surrounded by such creative brilliance, I was able to explore craft forms I had never dared to try, and revisit others I had quietly tucked away in the back of my mind for years.
Peters Valley itself is a place of quiet magic. As an early riser, I cherished waking to the cool, crisp air, sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee, paintbrush in hand, watching the world slowly wake up before the day’s workshops began. Those still, solitary moments filled me as much as the vibrant, communal ones.
This experience was deeply fulfilling. It expanded my understanding of craft as an art form, and showed me new ways it can weave into my own work. I found myself inspired—not just by the stunning pieces shared, but by the generosity of ideas and the deep, heartfelt conversations.
Papermaking with Ashley Page using natural elements
As a Black artist and maker, I have often found myself as the “lonely only” in creative spaces. But here, surrounded by so many brilliant Black creatives, there was a rare sense of ease. Together, we spoke freely—about our work, our dreams, and the ways we pour our culture and lived experiences into everything we create. We shared wisdom, discussed seizing opportunities, and lifted each other up.
Peters Valley is more than a place—it’s a sanctuary. A place where artists of all backgrounds can gather, explore, and deepen their passions. And even now, we’re still talking about it—still carrying its spark with us.
Elaine Robbnett Moore leading a workshop on jewelry design with Betty Leacraft and Ellen Blalock making earrings