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This holiday season, one of the Upper West Side’s most beloved landmarks is welcoming neighbors and visitors back for a tradition that has become a highlight of December. The Cathedral of St. John the Divine once again hosts Crafts at the Cathedral, New York City’s only juried fine crafts fair, bringing exceptional artists and handmade works into one of the most breathtaking interior spaces in the world.
For more than 25 years, the Cathedral has transformed its nave into a vibrant marketplace featuring contemporary craft and design from across the country. This year’s show includes both longtime exhibitors and first-time participants, each offering unique, one-of-a-kind pieces—wearable art, jewelry, ceramics, home goods, artisanal foods, holiday ornaments, and more—at a wide range of price points.
This year’s exhibitor lineup brings together an extraordinary mix of returning favorites and exciting new voices, each adding their own creative spirit to the Cathedral’s soaring nave. Beloved artists are back with the work that has captivated visitors year after year—from the fantastical mixed-media worlds crafted by Wendy Ellertson to the sculptural metalwork of Laura Baring-Gould, whose pieces seem to glow with their own quiet energy. JC Saben returns with impeccably made charcuterie boards that are both beautiful and functional, and Bill and Michelle Champitto once again illuminate the season with their remarkable stained-glass creations, each panel a window into color, light, and imagination.
Visitors will also meet a wonderful group of first-time exhibitors whose work expands the show’s artistic landscape. New York painter Kathryn Maher joins the fair with her evocative scenes of city life, capturing the rhythm, charm, and everyday poetry of the five boroughs. Three young and very talented glass artists, Madeline and Ori Shir, Eva Shelley, and Chad Davis bring breathtaking sculptural forms and glassware that push the boundaries of the medium. And as always, the show’s collection of wearable art is not to be missed, an inspired selection of handcrafted clothing and jewelry designed to help every visitor feel distinctive, expressive, and extraordinary.
The Very Rev. Winnie Varghese, Dean of the Cathedral, invites everyone to experience the fair and the spirit behind it. “For more than a quarter century, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine has opened its doors to extraordinary artisans whose craft reflects the creativity of this season. It is a joy once again to welcome them—along with our neighbors and all who travel from near and far—to share in this celebration of art, community, and care.”
Beyond the beauty of the craftwork, the event has a deeply rooted purpose. Proceeds support the Cathedral’s outreach initiatives, including Cathedral Community Cares (CCC), which works to combat poverty, specifically targeting issues of health and hunger, as well as Advancing the Community of Tomorrow (ACT), which offers scholarships for children to attend its summer day camp on the Cathedral grounds. By shopping at the fair, visitors help sustain programs that directly benefit families across the Upper West Side and beyond.
Dean Varghese hopes visitors will find more than gifts as they explore the fair. “As you wander through the market and the vastness of this sacred place, I hope you encounter moments of delight: in finding a gift that speaks to someone you love, and in discovering anew the wonder this Cathedral offers to all who enter. And as the Christmas season unfolds, I invite you to return—to pray with us, to sing with us, to stand with us in the many ways we mark this holy time.”
Whether you’re shopping for someone special or treating yourself, Crafts at the Cathedral offers an opportunity to support local artistry, discover meaningful pieces, and participate in the Cathedral’s mission of community care. It is a chance to celebrate creativity, generosity, and the joy of the season—all under the soaring arches of an iconic neighborhood treasure.
If you are seeking holiday inspiration, artistry, or simply a moment of wonder, the Cathedral’s doors are open.
For an entire exhibitor listing and to preview the artists’ work, visit stjohndivine.org.
Crafts at the Cathedral returns this holiday season on Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7 at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, located at 1047 Amsterdam Avenue (at 112th Street), Manhattan. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and $20 for a weekend pass. Light refreshments will be available via an onsite café. For more information, please visit stjohndivine.org.
