Influences/Influencers: California Fibers Opening Reception

Please join us to celebrate the opening of this exhibition featuring innovative works by members of California Fibers. The organization is one of the longest running artist groups in the country and has been at the forefront of contemporary fiber art since the 1970s. We are pleased to present this exhibition that showcases the breadth of their influential and innovative work. Come view the show and meet the artists!

Craft in America, Peggy Wiedemann
Peggy Wiedemann, Elements
Craft in America, Lydia Tjioe Hall
Lydia Tjioe Hall, Nesting Houses
Craft in America, Ben Cuevas
Ben Cuevas, Reveal Conceal
Craft in America, Ashley V. Blalock
Ashley V. Blalock, Home Bound
Craft in America, Michael Rohde, Birnalese Sonnet. 2019
Michael Rohde, Birnalese Sonnet. 2019

Couples in Craft Opening Reception

Please join us to inaugurate the opening of this exhibition that features the work of artist couples who create fiber and ceramics, either collaboratively or independently. Whether divergent or partnered in their practices, these artists have shared decades of mutual creative growth with one another. Come view the show and celebrate with the artists.

David Wulfeck, Craft in America
David Wulfeck, Bottle, 1988
Lesley Kice Nishigawara, Craft in America
Lesley Kice Nishigawara, Untitled, 2020
Tom Pakele, Craft in America
Tom Pakele

Many of these artist couples met during their formative educational years and thus share a lifelong dedication to each other and to their respective craft. These partners support and inspire each others’ extensive pursuit of mastering materials and continued exploration of their potential. Their intuitive knowledge of process allows for layers of meaning to become integrated into the works as they are made.

These artists, as couples and as a group, share a passion and curiosity for the craft they have devoted themselves to. Many have also worked as educators, nurturing an interest in the ancient traditions of weaving and ceramics with future generations.

Ceramic Beacon: Joan Takayama-Ogawa Opening

Please join us for the opening of Ceramic Beacon: Joan Takayama-Ogawa on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at the Craft in America Center.

Meet-and-greet with artist Joan Takayama-Ogawa from 12:00pm–3:00pm.

RSVP at rsvp@craftinamerica.org

Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Miso Deflated, Craft in America
Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Miso Deflated, 2009. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Cranes Covered Container, Craft in America
Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Cranes Covered Container, 1998. Photo: Madison Metro

We are grateful for the support of special funders for this exhibition:
Nobuko Aoto, John and Liz Kida, and Jan and Lisa Takata

The Craft in America Center is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
www.lacountyarts.org

Tibbie Dunbar: Assemble Opening

Please join us for the opening of Tibbie Dunbar: Assemble on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Craft in America Center.

Tibbie Dunbar, Untitled (Red White Grey)
Tibbie Dunbar, Untitled (Black Orange), 2019/2020
Tibbie Dunbar, Untitled (Pink Blue), 2019/2020

Location Services Opening

Please join us for the opening of Location Services: Jewelry Perspectives on Time & Place on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Craft in America Center.

Demitra Thomloudis, The Inbetween and Over 1, Craft in America
Demitra Thomloudis, The Inbetween and Over 1, 2020. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Kerianne Quick, Rags to firmly ensconced in a middle class life: peddlers bell necklace, Craft in America
Kerianne Quick, Rags to firmly ensconced in a middle class life: peddlers bell necklace, 2021. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Motoko Furuhashi, Los Angeles: Fashion District, Craft in America
Motoko Furuhashi, Los Angeles: Fashion District, 2022. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Building the Essentials: Ferne Jacobs Opening

Please join us for the opening of Building the Essentials: Ferne Jacobs on April 2, 2022 at the Craft in America Center. To attend please RSVP at rsvp@craftinamerica.org.

Ferne Jacobs, Origins, 2017-2018. Photo: Madison Metro.
Ferne Jacobs, Waterfall, 2000-2001. Coiled and twined waxed linen thread, 95″ x 26″ x 4″. Photo Credit: Ferne Jacobs
Ferne Jacobs, Sketch Book, 1978-feature

Birth of SoCal Fiber: Artists, Institutions and Influences in the 1960s -1980s, September 4, 12PM PDT

Live-streamed: SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

To celebrate Textile Month 2020, please join the Craft in America Center, in collaboration with Textile Arts LA, for a talk with textile artists Jim Bassler and Carol Shaw-Sutton, moderated by Center Director Emily Zaiden.

During the second half of the 20th century, a fiber art scene emerged in Southern California with a distinct approach. This conversation will explore Bassler and Shaw Sutton’s personal experiences and take on the emergence and evolution of fiber art in this region, in addition to touching on their own contributions.

We will discuss early influences and influencers, especially Bernard Kester and Joan Austin, and cover a bit of the genesis story of the UCLA and CSULB fiber programs. How did the textile design world influence what happened here? Is it possible to define a SoCal fiber aesthetic? Was the fiber movement here different than in other parts of the country, and if so, why was this the case? The talk will delve into how artists drew unique inspiration from aspects of the physical and cultural geography of the area to form ground breaking ideas in fiber.

The talk will be streamed live via Zoom and Facebook. To register for the Zoom Webinar, please click here.

You will be able to view the talk on our Facebook page as well. Please email center@craftinamerica.org for any more information about this event, or if you are having difficulty registering.

craft in america center Jim Bassler at the loom
Jim Bassler at the loom
craft in america CAROL SHAW-SUTTON Textile arts LA
Carol Shaw-Sutton, courtesy of Textile Arts LA
Textile Arts LA
Textile Arts LA
Textile Month 2020 Textile Arts LA
Textile Month 2020
DCA logo
The Craft in America Center is supported in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
California Arts Council
The Craft in America Center is supported in part by a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov
Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture
The Craft in America Center is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

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Cross-Atlantic Perspective on Leach Pottery, July 18, 11am PDT (1pm CDT, 7pm BST)

Please join the Craft in America Center for a talk with former Leach Pottery apprentice Jeff Oestreich and Roelof Uys, lead potter at the Leach Pottery, on the occasion of the opening of A Humble Legacy. The talk will be moderated by Center Director Emily Zaiden.

The talk will be streamed live via Zoom and Facebook. To register for the Zoom Webinar, please click here.

You will be able to view the talk on our Facebook page as well. Please email rsvp@craftinamerica.org for any more information about this event or if you are having difficulty registering.

Upon the centennial of the founding of Leach Pottery, the Craft in America Center presents two exhibitions celebrating the cup as object and the impact of Bernard Leach on studio ceramics. A Humble Legacy is an exhibition of approximately two dozen historic and contemporary cups made by a selection of artists affiliated with Leach Pottery and others who continue in its legacy.

Leach Pottery. Courtesy of Clary Illian. Craft in America CROSSROADS
Leach Pottery. Courtesy of Clary Illian.
Bernard Leach and Trudi Scott. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich. Craft in America CROSSROADS
Bernard Leach and Trudi Scott. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich.
Leach Pottery potters. Courtesy of Clary Illian. Craft in America CROSSROADS
Leach Pottery potters. Courtesy of Clary Illian.
Jeff Oestreich at the potter's wheel at Leach Pottery, 1970. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich. Craft in America CROSSROADS
Jeff Oestreich at the potter’s wheel at Leach Pottery, 1970. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich.
(l-r): Shigeyoshi Ichino, Bernard Leach, Jeff Oestreich, 1969. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich. Craft in America CROSSROADS
(l-r): Shigeyoshi Ichino, Bernard Leach, Jeff Oestreich, 1969. Courtesy of Jeff Oestreich.
DCA logo

This exhibition is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

California Arts Council

This exhibition is supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov

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CANCELED – Identity: 4 Voices Opening Reception & Artists Talk, Mar 14, 4-6pm

Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, the opening reception and artists talks have been canceled. In light of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the safety and well-being of our visitors, the Craft in America Center will be closed to the public until further notice.

Please visit the Identity: 4 Voices – Virtual Exhibition to view the inspiring works of these four visionary artists.

This exhibit highlights the works of the artists featured in the IDENTITY episode of PBS documentary series, Craft in America:

Cristina Córdova, Puerto Rican born figurative sculptor, 2015 USA Fellow
Wendy Maruyama, wood-based artist, 2020 USA Fellow
Cara Romero, Chemehuevi photographer
Diego Romero, contemporary Cochiti potter, 2015 USA Fellow

This event is free and open to the public.

RSVP to rsvp@craftinamerica.org. Please note that seating is limited and RSVPing does not guarantee a seat.

Quilts Opening Reception Jan 11, 4pm

Please join us for the opening reception for Quilts: 4 Directions on January 11, 2020 at the Craft in America Center.

Meet the artists from the QUILTS episode (PBS premiere Dec 27, 2019):
Michael A. Cummings
Judith Content
Susan Hudson
Victoria Findlay Wolfe

4pm: Judith Content will give a “dry dye demo” in which she unwraps, discusses, and reveals an assortment of previously hand dyed arashi-shibori silks from her studio. As she unveils the intricate patterns of her contemporary approach to Japanese shibori dyeing, she will talk about the surface design processes that have fascinated her for more than 40 years.

Judith Content, Dry Dye Demonstration

Reception to follow.

This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP: rsvp@craftinamerica.org.

Michael A. Cummings, Martin Luther King Jr.
Michael A. Cummings, Martin Luther King Jr.
Michael A. Cummings, Satin Doll
Michael A. Cummings, Satin Doll
Judith Content, Chalcedony Series II, 2018
Judith Content, Chalcedony Series II, 2018
Judith Content, Chalcedony Series I, 2018
Judith Content, Chalcedony Series I, 2018