On Carol Sauvion's Retirement from Craft in America
After 21 years, the executive director of Craft in America and creator of the PBS show of the same name will hand over the reins.
By Andrea Specht
Executive Director, American Craft Council
Portrait of Carol Sauvion.
This week, Carol Sauvion announced she will retire from Craft in America at the end of 2025 after 21 years at the helm of the Los Angeles–based craft advocacy and media company. A tireless, visionary advocate for the handcrafted, Carol leaves a powerful legacy through her work to elevate American craft and build a broad, appreciative audience for its makers.
Carol served on ACC’s Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2022. In 2024, she received the ACC Award of Distinction, and it’s fun to hear her talk about her work in the video we produced for our awards celebration.
In the numerous conversations I’ve been fortunate to have with Carol, the theme we have bonded over most is the power of craft to change the world. Literally. It’s not hard to tear up in conversations with Carol, because they go deep quickly. Alongside her intensity, sense of purpose, and directness I admire so much are a wry sense of humor, encouragement for other arts advocates, and gracious hospitality.
The craft field and ACC have benefitted so much from Carol’s vision, talent, and commitment. Fortunately, per her letter published this week, she plans to continue contributing time and expertise to Craft in America and its Handwork 2026 initiative after her supremely capable successors, Robyn Hollingshead and Anne Ruhr Pifer, become co-executive directors on New Year’s Day.
Thank you, Carol, and heartfelt congratulations from all of us at ACC!
