Five things to love about craft in 2020

Here’s a shortlist of some of the upcoming things happening in the craft world and at the American Craft Council that our team is excited for

Five things to love about craft in 2020

Here’s a shortlist of some of the upcoming things happening in the craft world and at the American Craft Council that our team is excited for

Thursday, January 30, 2020

Photo from the Identity episode of Craft In America — Featured in the recent “Identity” episode of Craft In America: Cristina Córdova shown sculpting a head of clay
Photo: Denise Kang Photography

1. Must-see exhibitions across the country

The Body, The Object, The Other

Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles, California
January 25, 2020 – May 10, 2020

All of the artists in this group exhibition use the human body as their starting point to challenge traditional notions of representation. 2019 ACC Emerging Voices shortlist artist Raven Halfmoon will be featured. We’re hooked. See you there?

Photo from Hearts of Our People — Featured in “Hearts of Our People:” Christi Belcourt (Michif), *The Wisdom of the Universe*, 2014, acrylic on canvas, Collection Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto; purchased with funds donated by Greg Latremoille, 2014, 2014/6. © Christi Belcourt

Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artist

Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
February 21, 2020 – May 17, 2020

Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma
June 28, 2020 – September 20, 2020

We saw the debut of this landmark exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art last year. Don’t miss it at the final two venues in the tour. Read about one of the works on view from our recent issue of American Craft.

Another Crossing: Artists Revisit the Mayflower Voyage

Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts
May 2, 2020 – September 20, 2020

2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower carrying pilgrims from Plymouth, England to North America. Developed in partnership with Fuller Craft Museum, Plymouth College of Art, and The Box, “Another Crossing” brings together ten artists from the US and Europe for a global, cross-cultural examination of this pivotal event in world history.

Rendering of the Kohler Art Center Art Preserve — The John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s Art Preserve
Conceptual drawing: Tres Birds, Denver, Colorado

Opening of the Art Preserve

John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Late summer 2020

This 56,000-square-foot space will flip the idea of “museum storage space” on its head by allowing visitors to interact with the works. We can’t wait to experience the Art Center’s world-renowned collection of over 25,000 objects.

Photo from Craft exhibition — Featured in “Craft:” Kathy Butterly, *Super Bloom*, 2019, clay, glaze, 6 1/4 x 9 1/2 x 10 in. © Kathy Butterly 2019
Photo: Alan Wiener, courtesy the artist and James Cohan, New York

Crafting America

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arizona
October 10, 2020 – February 1, 2021

Glenn Adamson, co-curator of this exhibition, changed our thinking about craft history at our conference last fall, and we’re excited to see his work in this project featuring ACC fellow Sheila Hicks and others.

2. Advance your craft skills through a new residency

Featured in the December/January 2020 issue of American Craft, this listing of residencies across the country reflects the range of opportunities available to artists to take the next steps in their chosen medium or begin cultivating new skills.

3. A new taste on craft

Photo from Chow Chow 2019 — The Fire It Up event at Chow Chow 2019 fused the glassblowing and culinary crafts in a lively demonstration
Photo: Reese Moore for Chow Chow, courtesy of Explore Asheville

Chow Chow, an Asheville Culinary Event

Asheville, North Carolina
September 10 – 13, 2020

Featuring makers alongside chefs, brewers, and food artisans, this mouthwatering event celebrates all the hands that go into shaping the creative table. We love to see (and taste) collaborations between makers of all disciplines.

The Table Issue of American Craft

June/July 2020

This issue will expand our normal definition of craft (metal, wood, ceramics, fiber, and/or glass) to include food and cooking. We’re looking forward to celebrating the handmade tools, tableware, and furniture that we use to make, eat, and share food while exploring cooking as an important form of handwork and cultural knowledge.

Want The Table Issue delivered to your mailbox? Become an ACC member.

4. Bingeable craft

Photo from the Quilts episode of Craft In America — Featured in the recent “Quilts” episode of Craft in America: Michael A. Cummings at the sewing machine
Photo: Denise Kang Photography

Craft In America on PBS

This Peabody Award-winning series explores America’s creative spirit through the language and traditions of the handmade. Each episode contains stories from diverse regions and cultures, blending history with living practice and exploring issues of identity, ritual, philosophy and creative expression. Stream it on the PBS video app.

Blown Away on Netflix

This Netflix original series follows 10 master glassblowing artists as they compete in sculpture challenges for the chance to win $60,000 in prizes and the title of champion. Season 2 is anticipated in 2020.

5. Honoring distinguished people in craft

We’re eager to announce the winners of our biennial awards next month, including the College of Fellows, the Gold Medal for Consummate Craftsmanship, the Award of Distinction, and the Aileen Osborn Webb Award for Philanthropy. The ACC Awards honor individuals and organizations for exceptional artistic, scholarly, and philanthropic contributions to the craft field. Watch for the announcement in February.