 March 2009
Greetings!
The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design (CCCD) has launched ENEWS to keep you current with all our programs, exhibits and events. ENEWS will be sent out monthly with most news linking to more lengthy information found on our website www.craftcreativitydesign.org. Announcements cards will still be mailed for upcoming exhibits and talks. If you are on our mailing list to receive an announcement card for exhibits and would prefer to receive the information through ENEWS, please let us know and it will save us a stamp! Dian Magie, Executive Director CURRENT EXHIBITION
SOUL'S JOURNEY: INSIDE THE CREATIVE PROCESS
22 Contemporary Object Makers from the Southeast Jan. 23 - April 25, 2009
This exhibition features 22 accomplished contemporary object makers living in the Southeast - from Virginia to Florida - working in ceramic, fiber, glass, metal, and wood. The exhibit developed from is a six-part documentary series (of the same name) illuminating the creative process through an intimate view of these working artists told largely through their own words. The film was conceived and produced by David Hutto, Vice President for Technology at Blue Ridge Community College, and videographer Chanse Simpson. The exhibition complements the documentary, showcasing significant works by these artists and are representative of the diverse creative traditions and cultural heritage in this region. GALLERY HOURS ARE 10-5 MONDAY THRU FRIDAY CCCD hosts session at the annual College Art Association Conference
97th annual COLLEGE ART ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Los Angeles, CA - Feb. 25-28, 2009 This is the 3rd year CCCD has hosted a panel at the College Art Association Conference in Los Angeles. Having hosted the recent Inspired Design textile conference, we thought it would be timely to consider the state of textile programs in academia. The panel presented to an engaged audience with many questions. Session Chair: Speakers: Textile programs in academia have long occupied a complicated terrain. While some university programs focus on textile engineering and apparel science, others house textiles and fibers in their Fine Arts department. Historically, the area has a found simultaneous alignment, albeit often an uneasy one, with industry, craft, decorative and fine arts. As such, the pedagogical strategies of teaching textiles encompasses various traditional approaches to technique and material, as well as experimental strategies that expand the social context and conceptual foundations inherent in the medium. This session will focus on the technological developments specifically in the area of hand-weaving in three different academic institutions: an art institute, an engineering/design oriented university, and a liberal arts college. Panelists will consider the various technological tools and software textile students and artists have available to them today. Through this lens, the talks will examine how introducing students to industrial software and other technological advancements have the potential to impact and expand career opportunities. 2009 CRAFT RESEARCH FUND GRANTS
Guidelines and applications are now available online at www.craftcreativitydesign.org for the 2009 Craft Research Fund, awarding PROJECT GRANTS of up to $15,000 for research in United States craft by academics, independent scholars, and curators and GRADUATE RESEARCH GRANTS of up to $10,000 to graduate students currently enrolled in a graduate program in an accredited college or university for research related to a thesis or dissertation on United States craft. This is a national award program in its fourth year, administered by the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design. Deadline for the 2009 grants in both categories is July 1, 2009, with announcement of awards mid-September for research beginning October 1, 2009 to be completed within 18 months. 2009 WINDGATE MUSEUM INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED
This is the fourth year Center for Craft, Creativity and Design has administered the Windgate Museum Internship Award program, providing four museums $5000 each for paid internships. The goal of the program is to expand the number of future curators with experience and expertise on studio craft artists and their work. BFA, MA, and MFA students should send a letter of interest together with their vitae to the museum. The museum will select the interns. Recipients of previous Windgate Museum Internships are not eligible. Oakland Museum of California Application deadline: March 13, 2009, include a cover letter and resumé to: The American Craft Council Candidates must have excellent attention to detail, a good sense of humor, the ability to work in a fast paced environment, knowledge of Microsoft Office and Excel. Applicants must be able to meet deadlines, work independently, and be creative. B.A. in art history, decorative arts, arts management, museum education or a related academic field required; graduate study is strongly preferred. Application deadline: March 10, 2009. Email curriculum vita and cover letter to: OF RELATED INTEREST
Basic Digital Craft Photography Workshop
March 28, 2009 Joy Tanner and John Britt will conduct a one day, hands on class on how to take digital photographs of your three dimensional ceramics/crafts using a simple, low tech approach for the beginner. Saturday March 28, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. $60.00 (includes digital photographs of 2 – 3 pieces) The goal is to learn how to construct and set up a simple photographic display and learn the basics of photographing your own work. We will discuss various cameras, digital vs. film, back drops, how to create a handmade light box and adjust for appropriate diffused lighting, basic terminology and everything you need to document acceptable images of your work. With a few simple instructions, you can end your fear of documenting your own work with this easy and inexpensive way of doing it yourself. During this tough economic period, why pay someone $75.00 an hour to photograph your work when digital photography makes it accessible to everyone! Bring 2 -3 pieces of your 3 dimensional ceramic work, no larger than 12" x 12" x 12" that you would like for us to photograph. (Optional: You can also bring your own camera with your manual if you need help in how to use it for this purpose.) Please call to discuss your choice of objects that you will be bringing. Also, bring a jump drive or a blank CD so you can take your beautiful new images home. For the cost of photographing three pieces you can learn how to do it yourself! A lunch, of soup and homemade bread is included. Class size limited to 8 people. Please send a check to John Britt to reserve your space: John Britt Pottery Studio Joy Tanner UNC-Asheville Craft Campus Lecture Series
"Meet the Makers: Conversations of Meaning with Craftspeople" This year-long workshop and lecture series focuses around meaningful conversations with individual craftspeople, artists, and designers in each one of the craft media: metal, clay, wood, glass, fiber, and mixed media. The goal of the series is to link the conversations with the "Makers" to the life of the viewer/user of contemporary craft. Upcoming Speakers: March 17: Brent Skidmore, sculptor/furniture maker (& Craft Campus Director) March 24: Alex Bernstein, second generation WNC glass artist April 2: Martha Connell, co-hosted by Collectors of Wood Art For more information go to www.unca.edu/craftcampus/. West Virginia University Ceramics 2009 China Program
FEW SPACES LEFT FOR BOTH SUMMER AND FALL!!! WE NOW HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH SUMMER AND FALL!!! WE HAVE ALSO ADDED A SECOND SUMMER PROGRAM GEARED FOR K-12 EDUCATORS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON THE QUARTER SYSTEM!!!! Through a unique linkage, the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, and West Virginia University have teamed to offer a comprehensive study opportunity for the serious advanced or professional ceramic artist/potter. The Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute is considered to be China's finest ceramics art and design school. In fact West Virginia University is the only western university with a campus in China. We have teamed to offer a study and travel program in the Peoples Republic of China where students will have the opportunity to study with some of China's most prominent teachers and ceramic artists. China's roots in ceramic art history are strong and deep. For thousands of years, Chinese artisans have developed and mastered techniques and artistry that has set the standard of excellence in ceramics throughout the world. High fired porcelains, underglaze and overglaze techniques, celadons, copper reds, temmoku, yaoware carving, ash glazes and tri-colored lead glazes are just a few of the contributions made by Chinese artisans over the centuries. Summer Semester I - 2009 * 5 1/2 Week Program May 24 - June 30 This fee covers International airfare, in-country travel, all lodging, food (an exception being during the Beijing travel portion of the program), materials, and 6 graduate or undergraduate transferable credits from West Virginia University. Summer Semester II - 2009 *4 Week Program geared for K-12 Educators & University Students on the Quarter System! June 15 - July 15 This fee covers International airfare, in-country travel, all lodging, food (an exception being during the Beijing travel portion of the program), materials, and 6 graduate or undergraduate transferable credits from West Virginia University. Fall Semester 2009 * Semester long Program September 7 - December 14 This fee covers the entire cost of International airfare, in-country travel, all program fees, insurance, living accommodations and 12 transferable credits from West Virginia University. 2009 Spring Semester Ceramics Residency Program in China Late February-June* If you or anyone you know may be interested in any of the 4 programs, more information and applications are available at: art.ccarts.wvu.edu/international_programs/china_program CONFERENCES
Design Connexity Conference
Aberdeen, Scotland March 31 - April 3, 2009 The 8th International Conference of the European Academy of Design will take place at The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland from March 31 - April 3, 2009. The conference theme is Design Connexity. Registration for the conference is now open. To register and book accommodation please visit: www.designconnexity.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=56 PUBLICATIONS
The Craftsman and the Critic When English craftsman, poet, and socialist William Morris advised consumers in the 1880s to "have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful," he prompted a movement for design reform in Britain, Europe, and America. Championing Morris's views, the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston led the quest for "usefulness and beauty" in the United States. As the oldest, continuously-operating arts and crafts organization in the country, it exerted considerable influence. Among the Boston reformers were design critics, whose profession became increasingly important in the nineteenth century. Many of them-including a number of prominent women-were also architects, designers, craft workers, educators, and theorists. Their views on design reform were substantive and often controversial. This richly illustrated book explores the interaction of craft workers and critics as they collaborated to improve the quality of the living and working environment in Boston and across the United States. Beverly K. Brandt examines multiple overlapping topics-the evolution of the profession of design criticism in the nineteenth century; Boston in the "Gilded Age" as a center for reform, epitomized by the Aesthetic and the Arts and Crafts movements; the formative years of the Society of Arts and Crafts (1897-1917); key personalities associated with that organization; the theoretical underpinnings of the Arts and Crafts movement; and a diaspora of Boston reformers who left the city to promote usefulness and beauty across the country and abroad. In an epilogue, she discusses the Arts and Crafts revival which has flourished since the 1970s and contemplates why the search for usefulness and beauty continues to resonate today. This book is available through the University of Massachusetts Press at A Theory of Craft: Function and Aesthetic Expression by Howard Risatti. Published by Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2007. What is craft? How is it different from fine art or design? Risatti examines these issues by comparing handmade ceramics, glass, metalwork, weaving, and furniture to painting, sculpture, photography, and machine-made design from Bauhaus to the Memphis Group. He describes craft's unique qualities as functionality combined with an ability to express human values that transcend temporal, spatial, and social boundaries. Craft must articulate a role for itself in contemporary society, says Risatti; otherwise it will be absorbed by fine art or design and its singular approach to understanding the world will be lost. Makers: 20th Century American Studio Craft (working title) At the first "Think-Tank" convened by CCCD in 2002, of craft faculty, museum director and curators, scholars and critics, the initiative ranked as most important to the advancement of the field was a history of American Craft in the twentieth Century. The journey toward making this a reality can be tracked on www.craftcreativitydesign.org/research/history.php. 20th Century American Studio Craft by Janet Koplos and Bruce Metcalf is with the publisher, the University of North Carolina Press. Long awaited, the book, researched and written under the auspices of CCCD, will include 500+ images and also serve as an undergraduate text. It will be released in 2009. The University of North Carolina Press is making craft history and criticism a focus of the Press. The Journal of Modern Craft, edited by Glenn Adamson, Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Edward S. Cooke, Jr. Yale University, USA; Tanya Harrod, Royal College of Art, UK, is the first peer-reviewed academic journal to provide an interdisciplinary and international forum in its subject area. It address all forms of making that self-consciously set themselves apart from mass production - whether in the making of designed objects, artworks, buildings or other artefacts. Published three times a year in March, July and November. To place an order/subscription visit www.bergpublishers.com and download order forms or email custerserv@turpin-distribution.com. About Us
The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design is an inter-institutional Center of the University of North Carolina. The mission of the regional UNC Center is to support and advance craft, creativity and design in education and research, and, through community collaborations, to demonstrate ways that craft and design provide creative solutions to community issues. The mission of the nonprofit CCCD is to support the mission of the UNC center through funding, programs, and outreach to artists, craft organizations, schools in the community, region and nation. email: info@craftcreativitydesign.org |
