Instead of our usual weekly roundup of craft news and interesting tidbits, we’ve put together a collection of some of our favorite pieces of wisdom from the speakers and panelists at "Present Tense," our 12th national conference held last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska. Head to Twitter and check #ACCpt16 for more reactions, quotes, and conversation from "Present Tense" and watch for videos of the conference in the coming weeks.
 

On the economic complexity of becoming a craft artist:

“Being a studio artist is not just for rich kids.” ~Mark Shapiro

On taking the path less traveled:

“Because of the materials we choose, we have been marginalized.” ~Tina Oldknow

“I’m marginalized, but happy.” ~Mark Shapiro

“We’re all somewhat marginalized in the broader world.” ~Rosanne Somerson

“The path of least resistance leads to a very crowded place.” ~Jessica Hische

On enriching hands-on craft training:

“Maybe we could add theoretical reading to apprenticeship.” ~Mark Shapiro

“Theory comes from practice. Practice does not come from theory.” ~Amos Paul Kennedy
 

On how social media is changing artistic practice:

"Being an artist used to mean dropping out, moving to the mountains, living in a low-tech way. But social media has changed that." ~Sarah Archer

On Process:

"The process is: Do what you want as long as you want to." ~Amos Paul Kennedy

“Craft has a language from the neck down. Similar to dance.” ~Jean McLaughlin

On “secret knowledge” and the limits of the internet:

The conventional wisdom is that there is little or no criticism of work in glass, but William Warmus shared, “there are hundreds of critical articles about studio glass in obscure publications....We as published critics have access to things that aren't available online. One is a good editor." 

Is long-term training critical to craft? RISD's Rosanne Somerson says it's a "cherished myth."

On what educational institutions owe students today:

“RISD owes students ‘creative agency.’ ” ~Rosanne Somerson

“VCU helps students find their authentic obsession.” ~Sonya Clark

On why collaboration is worthwhile:

Sonya Clark shared an African proverb that echoed throughout many speakers’ themes: "If you go alone, you can go fast. If you go together, you can go far." 

“The main obstacle to collaboration is the fear of losing your identity. But true collaboration only strengthens your identity.” ~Tino Chow

On the meaninglessness of labels:

“When people ask ‘what do you do?’ I say, ‘I’m a human being. I do what you do. I just do it differently. ~Amos Paul Kennedy

On the marginalization of heritage craft:

Tlingit artist Nicholas Galanin was told in art school that he could not do his work because it was ‘too literal.’ “Native art is not just an aesthetic. It has meaning. Masks connect our community to the supernatural.” ~Nicholas Galanin

On an artist’s mission:

“Do I need to just make nice things for rich people, or do I need to kick ass and make powerful shit?” ~Tanya Aguiniga

“I don’t wait for institutions at all. I don’t define success according to institutions.” ~Nicholas Galanin