“Craft in America: A New Millennium” contains more than 50 stunning objects created by some of this nation’s most skilled and visionary craft artists. The exhibition is being produced specifically for Silver Dollar City by Los Angeles-based Craft in America, Inc., and will feature work by the artists who have appeared in the Peabody Award-winning PBS-TV documentary series Craft in America. Exhibition management is being provided by Smith Kramer Fine Art Services of Kansas City, MO.
Handcrafted objects have been made by every civilization since the beginning of time. They have not only proven essential for daily existence, they also contain references to their home culture’s unique character and place in history. American craft tells a story of reinvention and renewal because most of our nation’s residents have descended from people who came here after leaving other countries behind. The United States was socially and physically big enough to accept and absorb these many personalities, cultures and skills. Diverse traditions of making objects by hand have survived and flourished. Now, as our civilization becomes more mechanized, standardized and computerized, handmade objects have acquired new meanings and become some of our most valued possessions.
The “Craft in America: A New Millennium” exhibition showcases objects produced by contemporary craft artists working in metal, wood, glass, clay, fiber, and other mediums. Among the featured artists are Mary Jackson—a basket weaver who continues a South Carolina tradition that was started by slaves from Africa; Richard Notkin—a Montana potter whose politically-inspired teapots and tiles argue eloquently for peace and humanity; Tom Joyce, a New Mexico blacksmith whose sculptures comment on ecological responsibility and inspire youth participation in their process; and Teri Greeves, a Kiowa bead artist whose work uses an historic medium to address contemporary social issues. The displayed works will be presented in tandem with video monitors showcasing related Craft in America television interviews. In some cases, the documentary footage shows the creation of the exhibited works. Coincidentally, three of the featured artists—Jackson, Joyce, and the late furniture-maker Sam Maloof—have all been recipients of MacArthur Fellowships (so-called “Genius Awards”).
The exhibition’s organizer, Craft in America, Inc., is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote and advance original handcrafted work, through educational programs in all media. Its five previously broadcast Craft in America television episodes—Memory, Landscape, Community, Origins and Process—have introduced artists in a manner that goes beyond the mediums in which they work. The profiles have explored the relationship between what the artists do, how they do it, and why they have chosen a life of creating art for all to enjoy and appreciate. Upcoming seasons of Craft in America will provide four more episodes—Messages, Crossroads, Threads, and Family, and the work of several artists who will appear in these segments are included in the exhibition.
The television series originally appeared in tandem with the release of an illustrated book, Craft in America: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects, published by Random House imprint Clarkson Potter. President Jimmy Carter, a long time craftsman and craft advocate, contributed the prologue to the text. Craft in America’s Web site, www.craftinamerica.org is an online hub that weaves together diverse aspects of the ambitious and ongoing project. Its Web pages provide histories, discussions of tools and techniques, and suggestions for how individuals may begin learning specific craft skills. The Web site is also home to educator guides for middle and secondary school teachers. These contain plans and activities that can encourage students to continue their investigation of craft.
Silver Dollar City, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is proclaimed by the U.S. Congress “The Home of American Craftsmanship,” with over 100 resident craftsmen demonstrating America’s heritage crafts daily. The internationally awarded theme park in Branson, Missouri, presents six world-class festivals including the National Harvest Festival, September 11 – October 30. For information: 800-831-4FUN and www.silverdollarcity.com.
For information about the exhibition, please visit festivals.silverdollarcity.com
