Karen Hampton’s relationship with the American Craft Council goes back decades—she recalls reading American Craft, then titled Craft Horizons, in the 1970s and 1980s. Back then, Karen was just discovering a love of weaving
that would propel her to the forefront of contemporary fiber arts, eventually earning her an invitation from peers to join ACC’s College of Fellows. Now well-known for her narrative textile work that honors and investigates her own ancestors, including the racism and enslavement that they endured, Karen’s career got a boost when she was featured in American Craft in 2016. “I was one of the first African Americans featured in the magazine and the first contemporary fiber artist whose
work focused on historical narrative storytelling, rather than solely emphasizing technique.”
In 2022, Karen became an ACC Fellow, an award bestowed since 1975. On becoming an ACC Fellow, Karen reflects, “It put me at the level of the artists I admired. It was a huge honor to be counted among them.” The award has validated her unique approach to textiles and provided a platform for her to share her expertise and bring other historically excluded craft artists into the community. The College of Fellows distinction coincided with a significant period of growth in Karen’s career. Around the time she became a Fellow, Karen secured a commission from LA Metro and also moved from Massachusetts to New Mexico. The ACC award, contributing to her growing recognition, facilitated a way for her to connect with new
artistic communities as she relocated. Karen’s involvement with ACC grew when she was asked to join the committee responsible for selecting the next group of Fellows. As a selection committee member, Karen brought a broad lens to discussions about the forms that excellence in craft can take and a desire to amplify the work of other craft artists, particularly artists of color whose contributions have often gone overlooked. Karen is excited to see the impact of the ACC Fellows distinction go even deeper with the addition of monetary awards funded by a grant from the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation, starting in 2024. “The psychological effect of receiving money is huge,” she explains. “It really says that you are something.” She believes that financial support is a crucial aspect of artistic recognition and is key to enabling craft artists to continue to develop new ideas, forms, and methods.
Looking ahead, Hampton is excited to deepen her engagement with ACC as it supports craft artists in new ways. “ACC Fellows have great potential for creating leadership value. Crafts need it,” she explains. Emphasizing
the importance of mentorship and discussions between artists of multiple generations and career stages, she believes that ACC plays a pivotal role in preserving and promoting the rich history of craft. “If there was no ACC, there would be no authoritative organization to carry craft. It’s so much more than a magazine.” Join us in honoring the 2024 ACC Awards recipients at the virtual Awards Celebration, Thursday, September 19, 2024.
