The Craft School Experience: Outcomes and Revelations

Part of what has helped to drive the spirit of experimentation, investigation, communication and mastery in the field of craft is the immersive experience offered through workshops and residencies at five historic American craft schools. Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, Peters Valley School of Craft, and Pilchuck Glass School. These five schools have joined together to launch a national initiative celebrating the importance of the craft school experience. The Craft in America Center will feature a group exhibition of objects that speak directly to the impact of these rare educational environments on individual artists.

Internationally renowned instructors, intensive and focused studios, the time for exploration of other art forms, diverse communities, and inspirational settings are some of the key aspects that define these schools. The schools are working to promote and encourage education and excellence in craft by emphasizing their unique opportunities for students to be fully focused and present in a creative manner. For many, this educational experience is thought provoking, inspiring and sometimes life changing. 

This exhibition strives to capture the essence of the craft school experience by featuring the artworks of master teachers, resident artists, and students who have studied or taught at one or more of the participating schools. Supplemented by personal narratives, quotes and videos, these works demonstrate the tremendous conceptual and artistic progress possible in this transformative style of learning. 

Artists: Cynthia Bringle, Nancy Callan, Sonya Clark, Bruce Dehnert, Arline Fisch, Susie Ganch, Matt Kelleher, Gerhardt Knodel, Marc Maiorana, Dante Marioni, Christy Matson, Sequoia Miller, Jaydan Moore, Rowland Ricketts, Chris Staley, and Lino Tagliapietra.

This exhibition was created in collaboration with The Craft School Experience.

Craft School Experience
Craft school experience - banner
Craft School Experience
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape - Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape – Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape - Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape – Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape - Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape – Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape - Tideline, 2006
Christy Matson, Untitled Landscape – Tideline, 2006
Marc Maiorana, Penland Door Pulls, 2004
Marc Maiorana, Penland Door Pulls, 2004
Chris Staley, Grouping
Chris Staley, Grouping
Bruce Dehnert, Ingot, 2016
Bruce Dehnert, Ingot, 2016
Bruce Dehnert, Tug, 2016
Bruce Dehnert, Tug, 2016
Matt Kelleher, Lidded Jar
Matt Kelleher, Lidded Jar, 2006
Cynthia Bringle, Pitcher
Cynthia Bringle, Pitcher, 2006
Sequoia Miller, Covered Jars, 2010
Sequoia Miller, Covered Jars, 2010
Sequoia Miller, Pitcher, 2010
Sequoia Miller, Pitcher, 2010
Cynthia Bringle, Platter
Cynthia Bringle, Platter
Randall Darwall, Red Warp Brocade Shawl, 2009
Randall Darwall, Red Warp Brocade Shawl, 2009
Randall Darwall, Red Warp Brocade Shawl, 2009
Randall Darwall, Red Warp Brocade Shawl, 2009
Craft School Experience
Lino Tagliapietra, Stromboli, 2005
Lino Tagliapietra, Stromboli, 2005
Craft School Experience
Dante Marioni, Red and Yellow Leaf, 2015
Dante Marioni, Red and Yellow Leaf, 2015
Dante Marioni, Ruby Leaf, 2014
Dante Marioni, Ruby Leaf, 2014
Dante Marioni, Ruby Leaf, 2014
Dante Marioni, Ruby Leaf, 2014
Craft School Experience
Gerhardt Knodel, Regeneration #4, 2016
Gerhardt Knodel, Regeneration #4, 2016
Arline Fisch, Guardian Angel, 1969
Arline Fisch, Guardian Angel, 1969
Arline Fisch, Guardian Angel, 1969
Arline Fisch, Guardian Angel, 1969
Arline Fisch, Reflections in a Golden Eye, 1976
Arline Fisch, Reflections in a Golden Eye, 1976
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Jaydan Moore, Wares, 2016
Craft School Experience
Sonya Clark, Plexus, 2002
Sonya Clark, Plexus, 2002
Craft School Experience
Craft School Experience
Susie Ganch, Untitled Bracelet, 2007
Susie Ganch, Untitled Bracelet, 2007
Susie Ganch, Thinking Cap 4, 2000
Susie Ganch, Thinking Cap 4, 2000
Susie Ganch, Untitled Bracelet - Red Molecular, 2005
Susie Ganch, Untitled Bracelet – Red Molecular, 2005
Nancy Callan, Captain America II, 2014
Nancy Callan, Captain America II, 2014

Photos by Madison Metro