Life Becomes Art: CRAFT IN AMERICA Celebrates the Rich Legacy of An American Artform
January 09, 2007
Landmark project comprises 3-part PBS series, national touring exhibition and major publication.
Craftsman and longtime craft advocate President Jimmy Carter contributes to unprecedented project
CRAFT IN AMERICA
PBS Television Series: Airing Wednesday May 30th 2007 at 8, 9 and 10pm; Check local listings for details
LOS ANGELES – A visitor to an art-filled home may quickly take note of paintings or photographs on the walls, but may overlook the finely wrought furniture, ceramics, glassware or fabrics, though the skill and artistry involved in creating these useful and often stunning objects has been quietly recognized for centuries. CRAFT IN AMERICA celebrates these works of art and recognizes them as important pieces of history linking us to the very soul and essence of American culture. Comprising a three-part PBS television series airing in May 2007, a nationally-touring museum exhibition, a lavishly illustrated book and the most comprehensive Web site of its kind, CRAFT IN AMERICA is poised to become a national phenomenon.
CRAFT IN AMERICA is a multi-faceted journey into the origin and continuation of craft traditions. The project illustrates the craftsmanship passed from artist to artist over the last two centuries—and highlights the cultural significance of this craftsmanship. Ceramics, glass, wood, furniture, metalwork, jewelry, fiber and baskets are included in this ground-breaking project.
“There is an extraordinary wealth of objects that mean so much to who we are as a nation, part of our living heritage, that are often hiding in plain sight,” explains Carol Sauvion, executive director of CRAFT IN AMERICA. “Everything from the iconic Revere bowl, to a free-form Sam Maloof rocking chair, to a quilt that’s been passed down in your family from generation to generation.”
Craft In America Three Part PBS Television Series
Airing Wednesday May 30, 2007
The project comes to millions of PBS viewers in May 2007 with the premiere of a three-part high-definition series on PBS airing Wednesday, May 30. Please check local listings for air times.
“In each of the three episodes – Memory, Landscape, and Community – we meet artists and their work in a way that goes beyond the media they work in. We explore the relationship between what they do, how they do it, and why they have chosen a life of creating great and moving art for all to enjoy and appreciate.”
Some of the series’ featured artists include Mary Jackson – a basket weaver who continues a South Carolina tradition that started with slaves from Africa; Richard Notkin – a Montana potter of protest who makes teapots and tiles that argue eloquently for peace and humanity; and Tom Joyce, a New Mexico blacksmith and recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” fellowship, who instills a sensitivity to the land and its people in each of his works.
Experience Craft in America: Nationally Traveling Museum Exhibition
An extensive museum exhibition, Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, begins its eight-city, two-year tour at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock on April 13, 2007. The exhibition then travels to Portland, OR; San Diego, CA; Houston, TX; Bloomfield Hills, MI; Oklahoma City, OK; Palm Springs, CA; and Brockton, MA (with additional dates and cities pending).
This landmark historical survey features more than 200 works, spanning a period of nearly two hundred years. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution, the exhibition explores the many cultures and movements that have contributed to the development and refinement of American crafts during the last two centuries. Integrating the various media of handcrafted furniture, ceramics, fiber and textiles, basketry, glass, wood, jewelry and metal, the exhibition represents a broad base of craft-makers including: traditional craft makers, designer craftsmen of the Arts & Crafts Movement, the artists of the WPA programs of the 30s, post World-War II studio craft pioneers and contemporary studio craft artists.
The exhibition is developed around the same three themes highlighted in the PBS production: Memory, Landscape and Community.
Reading Craft: Craft in America Book Hits Shelves in May 2007 with
Prologue by President Carter
President Jimmy Carter, a long time craftsman and craft advocate, contributed the prologue to the companion book, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects. Published by Random House imprint Clarkson-Potter, this lavishly illustrated book features more than 300 images and showcases some of the greatest works of craft of the last two centuries. The publication explores what makes craftwork in America uniquely American while highlighting the objects created by America’s most original and esteemed craftspeople.
With an eye to the contribution craft has made to America’s vitality, history and identity, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects examines: craft as communicator, the evolution of American craft, communities of craft (Shakers, Amish & native movements), and more.
In the prologue to the book, President Jimmy Carter says, “While president, I always had in my mind the desire to somehow recognize the skill and singularly American style that was present in craft objects. I was fortunate that Joan Mondale, wife of my vice president, Walter Mondale, shared my love and interest in the handmade expressions of our native artists. In no other place in the world will you find the unbridled creativity exhibited by the tens of thousands of craft artists who make craft a unique part of the American experience.”
Online Craft Source: www.craftinamerica.org
The project’s Web site, www.craftinamerica.org, is an online vortex that brings together all elements of this ambitious project. “CraftinAmerica.org will be an unparalleled resource,” says CRAFT IN AMERICA Executive Director Carol Sauvion. “If the public wants to learn more about well-known artists or discover those making creative break-throughs, it’s there. Plus histories, tools, and techniques – and ways to start learning a craft yourself.” The extensive Web site also will provide middle and secondary school teachers and students plans and activities to continue their journey.
CRAFT IN AMERICA will enlighten and satisfy the curiosity of all who have looked at a bowl, a necklace, a chair – and wondered how it came to be, and turned out the way it did. As Sauvion says, “Art is history; craft is our story.”
ABOUT CRAFT IN AMERICA
CRAFT IN AMERICA, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization with a mission to promote and advance original handcrafted work, through educational programs in all media. The CRAFT IN AMERICA multi-faceted project includes a PBS documentary, traveling museum exhibition and illustrated book. For additional information on CRAFT IN AMERICA the public should visit www.craftinamerica.org.
CRAFT IN AMERICA on PBS
Carol Sauvion is creator and co-executive producer of CRAFT IN AMERICA. Kyra Thompson is co-executive producer and writer of the series. Directors: Nigel Noble (“Memory”); Dan Seeger (“Landscape”); Hilary Birmingham (“Community”).
CRAFT IN AMERICA is a co-production of Craft in America, Inc. and the Independent Television Service (ITVS) with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and is presented in association with KCET/Los Angeles. Executive in Charge of production for KCET is Joyce Campbell. Production Executive for KCET is Robert McDonnell.
