CRAFT IN AMERICA: Memory, Landscape, Community Three Part PBS Series “It’s truly amazing that nobody has done this, but nobody has, and it’s something that I think most Americans will love and will want to see” – Jacoba Atlas, former Senior Vice President, Programming, PBS Beginning May 30, 2007, millions of Americans will discover the importance that craftsmanship has played in the founding and future of our country with the premiere of CRAFT IN AMERICA: Memory, Landscape, Community, a three-part high-definition series on PBS. Part I - Memory This 60 minute documentary, the first in the CRAFT IN AMERICA series, takes a personal tour through craft's history in America beginning with the pioneers of the field. This episode juxtaposes the intimate stories of some of our country's most prominent craft artists against the larger historical context of craft itself. Part II - Landscape The second episode focuses on the relationship between the artists and their physical environment. Craft artists depend on their natural environment for both materials and inspiration. This hour will look at the processes through which natural materials become finished works of craft, and what deeper messages may be contained therein. Part III - Community Throughout time, craft work has been a community activity. This hour will focus on the spiritual connection artists have to their communities through craft making. Some express the ideas, beliefs and desires of their community through their craft objects. Some pay homage to the community by continuing craft traditions that are in danger of being lost. Others actually perform their craft as a community project. The personal stories of gifted artists and passionate newcomers alike reveal the deeply held belief that craft is about more than just the making of an object – it is also about a way of life, a reason for being. First-run Airdates: Memory May 30, 2007; 8p EDT/PDT Landscape May 30, 2007; 9p EDT/PDT Community May 30, 2007; 10p EDT/PDT Please check local listings to confirm all airdates/times Program Time: Each episode: 56 mins. Production Credits: Directors: Nigel Noble (Part I), Daniel Seeger (Part II), Hilary Birmingham (Part III) Executive Producers: Carol Sauvion, Kyra Thompson Created By: Carol Sauvion Writer: Kyra Thompson Editors: Yaffa Lerea (Part I), Leonard Feinstein (Part II), Lillian E. Benson, A.C.E. (Part III) Photography: Don Lenzer (Parts I & III), Peter Pilafian (Part II), Allan Palmer (Part III) Music By: Laura Karpman Line Producer: Patricia Bischetti Host/narrator: Randy Oglesby 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. Media Contacts: Bo Smith / Agnes Gomes-Koizumi, Arts Communications Group 323-851-7629; bo@artscommunications.com / agnes@artscommunications.com