American History as Seen Through Quilts
Catherine Paul, her husband William, four sons, and William’s widowed mom moved to Solon in 1812 from Greenwich, Massachusetts. Catherine Paul embroidered this quilt with family images and the tower of Solon’s town meeting house. This quilt is part of the new exhibition opening in Boston in October. It includes 58 quilts, bedcovers, and other textiles that span […]
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Six Native Artists and Their Works Receive Major Recognition
Native Americans and other indigenous groups were not recognized as fine artists for decades. Native art has been displayed in isolation and separately from Western and American art. It was often curated to be an anthropological artifact and not a contemporary expression. Well-meaning exhibitions in prestigious venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago and New York’s Metropolitan […]
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Two New Shows Reflect the Shining Versatility of Glass
Glass art has its origins in ancient Egypt and Assyria. Glassblowing arose in first-century Rome. The beauty and versatility of the medium still bring innovations centuries later, as can be seen in two recent exhibitions from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM). “New Glass Now” at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, organized by the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, […]
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The Legend of the Music Tree
While browsing a Maine craft fair, I came across a guitar unlike any other. The guitar was hidden behind a display that included wooden bowls and cutting boards in the booth owned by woodworker David Smith. Smith, noticing my eager gaze, gently removed the instrument from its perch. He encouraged me to try it. I cradled the instrument […]
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Each Guitar Reuben Forsland Makes Tells a Story
Reuben Forsland, a master luthier, creates his magic in a one-room studio on a hilltop near the southwest coast of Vancouver Island. He is a storyteller. But the words he uses are not made of words. They’re made from wood and metal. Forsland builds custom acoustic instruments. The stories behind them and the collaborations he has with […]
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Traditionally Dyed Eggs Spring Into Action for Ukraine
For centuries, the colorful eggs – Pysanky — have brightened up spring in Ukraine. This traditional craft has been passed down through generations. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, many Ukrainians around the world feel that the elaborate eggs are even more important. According to Theresa Vargas of the Washington Post, people in the Ukrainian diaspora are using the […]
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The Blue That Enchanted the World
A long-forgotten piece of history is hidden on Johns Island, South Carolina. It’s located along Maybank Highway near the intersection of Pennys Creek and Stono River. A four-chambered structure is set among scrub brush, black gum trees, and live oaks. The colonial tint is still visible at its base. It’s partially covered with moss, bald cypress root, […]
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How Artisans in Puerto Rico Sustain Native Culture
After living in New York City for one year, I decided that it was time to return to Puerto Rico. I was growing increasingly concerned that the unique art and crafts of Puerto Rico, which are influenced by centuries of Caribbean and African influences as well as Spanish, American, and Spanish, might disappear. After my return, I […]
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See Inside One of America’s Last Pencil Factories
Saws that spin at 8,000 revolutions a minute produce a loud whine. As they fly through the paint box, pencils clack and clack. Then comes the ratcheting noise as aluminum ferrules, erasers, and other parts are punched on. A blast of air is used to clear the crevices in the machinery so that the conveyor belts move smoothly […]
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Artists Have Been Flocking to Scottsdale for Decades—Here’s Why You Should, Too
Scottsdale, surrounded by the vast Sonoran Desert and its sweeping views, has been a magnet to artists looking for inspiration and a place where they can hone their craft. The earth’s color palette is a kaleidoscope at sunset, and the red rocks are a monument to time. Scottsdale is more than just a city. It’s a canvas […]
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