2023 Getty Marrow Intern — Mary McCord
Mary here, writing from week 5 of my Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship. I can’t believe my time at Craft in America is half over! The diverse range of projects I’m working on have made the experience fly by.
My role at Craft in America is in digital communications, but the opportunities I’ve been given through the Getty Marrow program encompass much more than that. Yesterday for example, the Getty sent members of my internship cohort on a walking tour of public art in Long Beach. I had little experience in the realm of public art, but the Arts Council of Long Beach presented an informative snapshot of the entire process including conception, funding, community input and engagement, and conservation. A few weeks ago, the Getty Center hosted a leadership summit for this year’s internship cohort. We were treated to a series of lectures from Getty Marrow alumni, and encouraged to explore the museum’s exhibitions after the day’s activities concluded. My current immersion in craft gave me a new perspective on the value of handmade objects in museum collections.
Week to week, I’ve been working on a number of exciting projects. I am currently focused on conducting research for our upcoming Craft Video Dictionary project, supported by the Decorative Arts Trust’s Prize for Excellence and Innovation. The Craft Video Dictionary seeks to be a resource for craftspeople of all skill levels by providing a video encyclopedia of common techniques, materials, and tools spanning a variety of craft media. Contributing to this project has deepened my appreciation for the extensive knowledge and skill craftspeople bring to their work. I’ve also been promoting different facets of the Craft in America Center on social media. This includes our current exhibition, Couples in Craft, as well as the ever-expanding Craft in America library. The library houses a collection of over 3,000 craft books, catalogs, and publications, all completely free and open to the public. I would love to see the surrounding community utilize this more often!
A highlight of my internship so far was attending an advanced weaving workshop led by Ferne Jacobs, a prolific fiber artist whose work I’ve admired for years. I was thrilled when Craft in America agreed to let me film the event for social media while participating as a student. Jacobs is a gifted educator, and the small class size allowed her to spend ample one-on-one time with each participant. We had a great discussion about our individual goals, inspirations, and the creative process, receiving constructive feedback throughout. It was one of the most energizing creative experiences I’ve had – all because this internship gives me the opportunity to make my passions part of my job description.
On a related note, the exhibition “Ferne Jacobs: A Personal World” is on at the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art until September 24th. Thoughtfully curated by Craft in America’s own Emily Zaiden, the exhibition is a 60-year retrospective which includes rarely-exhibited works. It’s a great source of insight into the more esoteric themes in Jacobs’ work. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the area.
Looking back on the first half of my internship, I am awed by how much I have learned about the world of craft. I am looking forward to the second half of this experience, excited about perfecting skills I have begun to develop.
Ferne Jacobs: A Personal World
This exhibition is drawn from and expands upon the Craft in America survey exhibition, Building the Essentials: Ferne Jacobs, April 2, 2022 – June 18, 2022. The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art’s 2023 exhibition, sponsored by June and Simon Li, will present a comprehensive selection from Ferne Jacobs’ 50 years of artmaking.
Jacobs began her work in fiber at the Claremont Graduate University (CGU) in the 1970s. This exhibition is an effort to deepen our knowledge and appreciation of her art by bringing it back to Claremont in the company of works by some of the artists who have influenced her, and a selection of objects she has collected that give insight into her creative vision. It is our hope that the exhibition and its accompanying public programs will serve not only to inform and delight our visitors but also to inspire the next generation of artists studying and working in Claremont.
FERNE JACOBS × CRAFT IN AMERICA
Fiber artist Ferne Jacobs’ lifetime art collection spanning from the mid-1960s to 2022 will be on display exclusively at the Craft in America Center.
The Los Angeles artist has been innovating in the art world for over fifty years. The exhibition will showcase around 30 pieces of work created by Jacobs across the timeline of her career. Though Jacobs has lived in Los Angeles for many years, her art has never been on display in such a way. The experience will take visitors through the evolution of her career as an artist and highlight her unique tactics and techniques.