As 2011 comes to a close, the Center is counting our blessings and taking time to reflect on what's been accomplished. This year, we...

• Convened 17 regional craft leaders for our 9th Think Tank to explore possibilities for collaboration, to examine how craft is defined in the university setting, and to consider the place of the individual artist outside of their studio. We left with a strong conviction regarding the commitment, capacity and strength of the craft community in this region.

• Supported the next generation of makers and curators by awarding 10 graduating seniors Windgate Fellowships, by placing four Windgate Museum interns within prominent institutions and studios, and by hosting a summer intern here at the Center. We have awarded a total of 60 Fellowships and 26 internships in the past six years.

• Invited participation from the community to create The Asheville Reef, a collaborative, participatory crochet art project, receiving contributions from 54 individuals as well as groups at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, and Handmade in America. More than 5,000 people on four continents have created satellite reefs in support of the Institute for Figuring's Crochet Coral Reef Project. 

• Highlighted local business models that are exemplars in the craft industry through our exhibitions. We curated WNC Models of Sustainability in Craft Making which paired the EnergyXchange and Jackson County Green Energy Park to demonstrate the innovative uses of methane gas and solar energy to fuel the practices of potters, glassblowers and blacksmiths. And the exhibition Common Threads brought to the forefront The Oriole Mill, one of the only remaining mills that designs and manufactures textiles in the US.

• Sponsored talks at UNC Asheville by practitioners who recognize the interdisciplinary value of craft. In April, Mark Shapiro, a notable potter, who took on documentary writing in order to edit a complementary book for Peter Held's retrospective on Karen Karnes. In September, Margaret Werteim, a science writer who co-created the Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef which unveils complicated mathematical models using the art of crochet. We believe that much is gained from conversations that argue the relevance of craft in other disciplines.

• Supported a book signing event at the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery to promote Makers: A History of Studio Craft by co-authors Bruce Metcalf and Janet Koplos. Over half of the initial print run sold this year. We also expanded the accompanying web-based tool of classroom resources (www.americanstudiocrafthistory.org) by incorporating feedback from the five national beta-test site professors and 86 professors/instructors who are currently registered as users.

• Awarded Craft Research Fund grants to nine independent and graduate researchers in support of scholarly writing focused on craft. To date, we have supported 68 research projects. This program seeks to remedy the scarcity of theory and criticism which will be so critical in supporting and propelling the field of craft forward. Our intent is to collect and make available this research in order to stimulate inquiry, dialogue, and more rapid advancement in the field.

Thank you for your contributions toward, and support for, the Center's accomplishments. As we turn the calendar to 2012, please consider a donation, connect us to an applicable grant or interested funder, participate in our programs, buy handmade for the holidays, and/or e-mail us a positive quote regarding our programming that might be used on our feedback to encourage others to champion our efforts. And stay tuned! Next year we will unveil a new web site, announce exciting partnerships, host international visitors, and sponsor stimulating conversations.

In closing, we wish you holidays full of meaningful reflection and the presence of those you care about most.

Please choose an exhibition catalogue from the following:

Common Threads: Innovative Textile Practices in India & Western North Carolina

The Common Threads exhibition has proven to be widely admired. In addition to the work displayed in the exhibition, we have a beautiful collection of scarves, saris, shawls and runners for sale by each of the exhibiting textile artists. Each piece has been hand dyed using natural dyes and unique artistic processes such as bandhani, woven shibori and block printing. They range in price from $45-$325 and all proceeds benefit both the artist and the Center. These beautiful silk/cotton works won't last long so come by and see the collection.

Also, just for the holiday season we have a selection of sterling silver jewelry and wood/soda fired pottery ranging from $12 to $330.

The gallery is open from 12 to 5pm Monday-Friday until 16 December. We are closed weekends. Please call ahead if you plan to visit on a weekday outside of our regular hours. We will re-open on Tuesday, 3 January. Happy Holidays!

The Center for Craft, Creativity & Design Inc. is a Center of the University of North Carolina Asheville.

The mission of the Center is to advance the understanding of craft by encouraging and supporting research, scholarship and professional development. The nonprofit supports the UNCA center through funding, programs, and outreach to national and regional artists, craft organizations, schools, and the local community.

email: info@craftcreativitydesign.org
phone: 828.890.2050
web: http://www.craftcreativitydesign.org