Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery

Media - 2016.11 - SAAM-2016.11_6 - 124929

Debra Baxter, Devil Horns Crystal Brass Knuckles (Lefty), 2015, quartz crystal and sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Joanna and David Baxter, 2016.11, © 2015, Debra Baxter; Photo by Kim Richardson.

Connections is the Renwick Gallery’s dynamic ongoing permanent collection presentation, featuring more than 80 objects celebrating craft as a discipline and an approach to living differently in the modern world. The installation includes iconic favorites alongside new acquisitions. The arrangement breaks from typical display formats based on chronology or material to instead focus on the interconnectivity of objects and the overlapping stories they tell. The installation does away with hierarchical distinctions and the idea of the curator’s voice as absolute authority, instead presenting works that engender ever-evolving associations and interpretations. Objects are loosely thematically organized to mimic an analog version of the Web, using an associative approach derived from the way we navigate today’s hyperlinked” world. Visitors are encouraged to find their own path through a vast network of possibilities that highlight explicit connections as well as subtle, unexpected resonances among the artworks on view.

Craft objects do not exist in a vacuum. Each artwork tells many stories, and each is made even more interesting through relationships to other objects and ideas. As that object continues to develop meanings and spawn questions through contact with other artworks, it remains vital in a changing world.”

Nora Atkinson, The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery

Description

In selecting both pioneering and contemporary pieces, Atkinson also explores the underlying current of craft as a balancing, humanistic force in the face of an ever-more efficiency-driven, virtual world. The installation highlights the evolution of the craft field as it transitions into a new phase at the hands of contemporary artists, showcasing the activist values, optimism, and uninhibited approach of today’s young artists, which in some way echoes the communal spirit and ideology of the pioneers of the American Studio Craft Movement in their heyday.

The artworks range from the 1930s through today and span numerous media. New acquisitions such as Mary Jackson’s Vase with Handle, Josh Simpson’s Megaplanet, and Akio Takamori’s Green Mountain and Ochre Landscape make their debut in the gallery while seminal works including Wendell Castle’s Ghost Clock, Karen LaMonte’s Reclining Dress Impression with Drapery, Albert Paley’s Portal Gates, and Kim Schmahmann’s Bureau of Bureaucracy return to view.

Visiting Information

Closing March 62022
Open Daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m
Free Admission

Videos

Credit

The Henry Luce Foundation and the Windgate Charitable Foundation generously support the reinstallation of the Renwick’s permanent collection.

Online Gallery

Terese Agnew, Practice Bomber Range in the Mississippi Flyway, 1999-2002, cottons, bridal tulle, and denim, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S & R Pieper Family, 2003.49, © 2002, Terese Agnew
Practice Bomber Range in the Mississippi Flyway
Date1999-2002
cottons, bridal tulle, and denim
Not on view
Debra Baxter, Devil Horns Crystal Brass Knuckles (Lefty), 2015, quartz crystal and sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Joanna and David Baxter, 2016.11, © 2015, Debra Baxter. Photo: Kim Richardson
Devil Horns Crystal Brass Knuckles (Lefty)
Date2015
quartz crystal and sterling silver
Not on view
Jamie Bennett, Coral Tesserae, 1984, enameled copper, fine silver, and black chrome on sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Donna Schneier and Leonard Goldberg, 2015.59
Coral Tesserae
Date1984
enameled copper, fine silver, and black chrome on sterling silver
Not on view
Melanie Bilenker, Dresser Drawer, 2011, hair, paper, walnut, gold, crystal, and brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Charles and Margret Craver Withers Bequest, 2013.54.1, © 2011, Melanie Bilenker
Dresser Drawer
Date2011
hair, paper, walnut, gold, crystal, and brass
Not on view
Wendell Castle, Ghost Clock, 1985, bleached Honduras mahogany, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1989.68, © 1985, Wendell Castle
Ghost Clock
Date1985
bleached Honduras mahogany
Not on view
Dale Chihuly, Blanket Cylinder Series, 1984, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 2002.8.1, © 1984, Dale Chihuly
Blanket Cylinder Series
Date1984
glass
Not on view
Kathryn Clark, Washington, D.C. Foreclosure Quilt, 2015, linen, cotton, and recycled thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Stephen D. Thurston Memorial Fund, 2015.40, © 2015, Kathryn Clark
Washington, D.C. Foreclosure Quilt
Date2015
linen, cotton, and recycled thread
Not on view
Dan Dailey, Parkman Coupe, 1988, glass and bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Elmerina and Paul Parkman, 1999.89.5, © 1988, Dan Dailey
Parkman Coupe
Date1988
glass and bronze
Not on view
Erik Demaine, Martin Demaine, Hugging Circles, 2011, Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artists in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2011.54.2, © 2011, Erik and Martin Demaine
Hugging Circles
Date2011
Zanders Elefantenhaut paper (elephant hide paper)
Not on view
Joshua DeMonte, Curtains and Balcony Bracelet, 2008, 33% glass-filled polyamide, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Irene and Bob Sinclair, 2013.9, © 2008, Joshua DeMonte
Curtains and Balcony Bracelet
Date2008
33% glass-filled polyamide
Not on view
Joyce Scott, Africa, ca. 1980, glass beads on synthetic thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.58, © ca. 1980, Joyce Scott
Africa
Dateca. 1980
glass beads on synthetic thread
Not on view
Brian Dettmer, The March of Democracy, 2010, altered books, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James F. Dicke Family, 2013.55, © 2010, Brian Dettmer
The March of Democracy
Date2010
altered books
Not on view
Charles Eames, Ray Eames, Leg Splint, 1942, plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Harish K. Patel in memory of his father Khodabhai C. Patel, 2001.19
Leg Splint
Date1942
plywood
Not on view
David Ellsworth, Black Pot, 1994, white ash, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Jane and Arthur K. Mason on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1996.98.2
Black Pot
Date1994
white ash
Not on view
Larry Fuente, Game Fish, 1988, fiberglass, black auto-body type epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, plywood, plastic found objects including beads, buttons, poker chips, badminton birdies, ping pong balls, rhinestones, coins, dice, plastic figurines, combs, miniature pinball games, dominoes, chess pieces, pool balls, etc., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1991.61, © 1988, Larry Fuente
Game Fish
Date1988
fiberglass, black auto-body type epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, plywood, plastic found objects including beads, buttons, poker chips, badminton birdies, ping pong balls, rhinestones, coins, dice, plastic figurines, combs, miniature pinball games,
On view
Michael Izrael Galmer, Lemon Set, 2006, sterling silver and 24k gold plate, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2017.16.1A-F, © 2006, Michael Izrael Galmer
Lemon Set
Date2006
sterling silver and 24k gold plate
Not on view
Robly A. Glover, Stop, 2017, nickel silver, chrome-plated steel, and cork, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Patricia and Robly A. Glover, Sr., 2018.10, (c) 2018, Robly A. Glover
Stop
Date2017
nickel silver, chrome-plated steel, and cork
Not on view
John Grade, Shoal (Bone Shoal Sonance), 2003, limba and shedua, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Driek and Michael Zirinsky in honor of Sam and Elizabeth Davidson, 2015.28.2, © John Grade
Shoal (Bone Shoal Sonance)
Date2003
limba and shedua
Not on view
Myra Mimlitsch Gray, Sugar Bowl and Creamer III, 1996, copper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1997.56A-B
Sugar Bowl and Creamer III
Date1996
copper
Not on view
Sabrina Gschwandtner, Fibers and Civilization (1959), 2009, 16 mm film and polyamide thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Barbara Coffey Quilt Endowment, 2013.1, © 2009, Sabrina Gschwandtner
Fibers and Civilization (1959)
Date2009
16 mm film and polyamide thread
Not on view
William Harper, Nine Tantric Amulets for Jasper Johns, 1994, gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver with 24k, 22k, 18k, and 14k gold, pearls, garnet, tourmaline, and peridot, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Frances and Sydney Lewis, 2002.11, © 1994, William Harper
Nine Tantric Amulets for Jasper Johns
Date1994
gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver with 24k, 22k, 18k, and 14k gold, pearls, garnet, tourmaline, and peridot
Not on view
Wayne Higby, Temple's Gate Pass, 1988, earthenware and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.6A-J, © 1988, Wayne Higby
Temple’s Gate Pass
Date1988
earthenware and glaze
Not on view
Robyn Horn, Slashed Millstone, 1996, ebonized redwood burl and ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Margot R. Heckman, 2003.30A-B
Slashed Millstone
Date1996
ebonized redwood burl and ebony
Not on view
Mary Lee Hu, Choker (#38), 1978, fine and sterling silver, 18k and 24k gold, and lacquered copper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1985.22
Choker (#38)
Date1978
fine and sterling silver, 18k and 24k gold, and lacquered copper
Not on view
Sergey Jivetin, Shield #3 Brooch, 2004-2005, found watch hands, oxidized sterling silver, and steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Susan C. Beech in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2012.27, © 2004-2005, Sergey Jivetin
Shield #3 Brooch
Date2004-2005
found watch hands, oxidized sterling silver, and steel
Not on view
Lauren Kalman, Blooms, Efflorescence, and Other Dermatological Embellishments (Cystic Acne, Back), 2009, gold-plated silver acupuncture needles embellished with semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls, imitation leather, stainless steel tweezers and inkjet print 
, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Rotasa Foundation, 2013.63A-B, © 2009, Lauren Kalman
Blooms, Efflorescence, and Other Dermatological…
Date2009
gold-plated silver acupuncture needles embellished with semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls, imitation leather, stainless steel tweezers and inkjet print
Not on view
Mariska Karasz, Skeins, ca. 1950, linen, cotton, and wool, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1992.117, © 1952, F. Schumacher and Co.
Skeins
Dateca. 1950
linen, cotton, and wool
Not on view
Silas Kopf, Bad Hare Day, 2007, macassar ebony, walnut, maple, various woods and brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 2008.20
Bad Hare Day
Date2007
macassar ebony, walnut, maple, various woods and brass
Not on view
Ron Layport, The Running, 2008, bleached maple, paint, dye, stain, and resin, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Windgate Charitable Foundation, 2010.50, © 2007, Ron Layport
The Running
Date2008
bleached maple, paint, dye, stain, and resin
Not on view
Steven Young Lee, Vase with Landscape and Dinosaurs, 2014, porcelain with pigment and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Richard Fryklund, Giselle and Ben Huberman, David and Clemmer Montague, and museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art
, 2015.17, © 2014, Steven Young Lee
Vase with Landscape and Dinosaurs
Date2014
porcelain with pigment and glaze
On view
Kristina Logan, Brooch/Pendant, 2001, glass and sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Richard T. Evans Fund, 2002.31
Brooch/​Pendant
Date2001
glass and sterling silver
Not on view
Marc Maiorana, Renwick Gate, 2011, iron, enamel, and lacquer, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2013.11A-D, © 2011, Marc Maiorana
Renwick Gate
Date2011
iron, enamel, and lacquer
Not on view
Sam Maloof, Low-Back Side Chair, 1995, ziricote and ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alfreda and Sam Maloof in honor of Michael W. Monroe, curator-in-charge, Renwick Gallery (1986-1995), 1995.29, © 1995, Sam Maloof
Low-Back Side Chair
Date1995
ziricote and ebony
Not on view
Richard Marquis, Teapot Goblet (#94-14), 1994, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1995.24.2
Teapot Goblet (#94 – 14)
Date1994
glass
Not on view
Julian Martinez, Maria Martinez, Plate, ca. 1930s, blackware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of International Business Machines Corporation, 1966.27.15
Plate
Dateca. 1930s
blackware
Not on view
Sebastian Martorana, Impressions, 2008, marble, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia A. Young in honor of the fortieth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery and the thirtieth anniversary of the James Renwick Alliance, 2012.20, © 2008, Sebastian Martorana
Impressions
Date2008
marble
Not on view
Richard Mawdsley, Feast Bracelet, 1974, sterling silver, jade, and pearls, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance in honor of Lloyd E. Herman, director emeritus, Renwick Gallery, 1983.52
Feast Bracelet
Date1974
sterling silver, jade, and pearls
Not on view
John E. McGuire, Quatrefoil Lidded Shaker Cat Head Basket with Handle, 1992, black ash and white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.46A-B
Quatrefoil Lidded Shaker Cat Head Basket with Handle
Date1992
black ash and white oak
Not on view
John McQueen, Untitled #192, 1989, burdock burrs and applewood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1993.27, © 1989, John McQueen
Untitled #192
Date1989
burdock burrs and applewood
Not on view
Steven Montgomery, Static Fuel, 1998, earthenware and oil paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 2000.28
Static Fuel
Date1998
earthenware and oil paint
Not on view
William Morris, Raft, 1997, glass with steel stand, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Colleen and John Kotelly, 1999.78
Raft
Date1997
glass with steel stand
Not on view
Edward Moulthrop, Hackberry Spheroid, 1995, hackberry, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 1997.63
Hackberry Spheroid
Date1995
hackberry
Not on view
George Nakashima, Conoid Chair, 1971, black walnut and hickory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd E. Herman, founding director and director emeritus of the Renwick Gallery (1971-1986), 1991.125
Conoid Chair
Date1971
black walnut and hickory
Not on view
Gertrud Natzler, Otto Natzler, Oval Bowl, 1942, earthenware and chartreuse glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mary Peterson Hartzler and James Hartzler, 1991.124
Oval Bowl
Date1942
earthenware and chartreuse glaze
Not on view
Andy Paiko, Spinning Wheel, 2007, glass, cocobolo, steel, brass, and leather, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Peg and Bob Van Andel, 2012.7A-GG, © 2007, Andy Paiko
Spinning Wheel
Date2007
glass, cocobolo, steel, brass, and leather
Not on view
Albert Paley, Portal Gates, 1974, steel, brass, copper, and bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Commissioned for the Renwick Gallery, 1975.117.1A-B
Portal Gates
Date1974
steel, brass, copper, and bronze
Not on view
Joan Parcher, Graphite Pendulum-Pendant, 1994, graphite, sterling silver, and stainless steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1995.12
Graphite Pendulum-Pendant
Date1994
graphite, sterling silver, and stainless steel
Not on view
Zack Peabody, Turbine Bracelet, 1997, stainless steels and titanium, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 2006.33, © 1997, Zack Peabody
Turbine Bracelet
Date1997
stainless steels and titanium
Not on view
Matthias Pliessnig, Drift, 2011, white oak and bamboo, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Richard T. Evans Fund, 2011.32, © 2011, Matthias Pliessnig
Drift
Date2011
white oak and bamboo
Not on view
Ed Rossbach, Croissants, ca. 1987, cartons, block print, and staples, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Enid Barden, 2017.38.2
Croissants
Dateca. 1987
cartons, block print, and staples
Not on view
Judith Schaechter, The Birth of Eve, 2013, flash glass, vitreous paint, silver stain, and copper foil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 2015.12, © 2013, Judith Schaechter
The Birth of Eve
Date2013
flash glass, vitreous paint, silver stain, and copper foil
On view
Kim Schmahmann, Bureau of Bureaucracy, 1993-1999, various hardwoods, veneers, marquetry, mother of pearl, gold leaf, and brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 2000.48A-H, © 1993, Kim S. Schmahmann
Bureau of Bureaucracy
Date1993-1999
various hardwoods, veneers, marquetry, mother of pearl, gold leaf, and brass
Not on view
Viktor Schreckengost, Apocalypse '42, 1942, terracotta and glaze with engobe, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1985.92.1
Apocalypse 42
Date1942
terracotta and glaze with engobe
Not on view
Eric Serritella, Charred Split Birch Log Teapot, 2013, stoneware, stains, and oxides, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art, 2014.30A-B, © 2013, Eric Serritella
Charred Split Birch Log Teapot
Date2013
stoneware, stains, and oxides
Not on view
Paul Stankard, Cactus Botanical with Spirits, 1990, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Annie and Mike Belkin, 1992.100
Cactus Botanical with Spirits
Date1990
glass
Not on view
Billie Ruth Sudduth, Fibonacci 5, 1996, reed splints, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Kay Sekimachi and Bob Stocksdale and Susan Stewart, 1996.28
Fibonacci 5
Date1996
reed splints
Not on view
Lino Tagliapietra, Mandara, 2005, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the American Art Forum, 2011.6, © 2005, Lino Tagliapietra, Inc.
Mandara
Date2005
glass
Not on view
Toshiko Takaezu, Closed Form, ca. 1980s or 1990s, porcelain and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lenore Tawney, 2007.38.1
Closed Form
Dateca. 1980s or 1990s
porcelain and glaze
Not on view
Toshiko Takaezu, Closed Form, ca. 1980s or 1990s, porcelain and glaze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lenore Tawney, 2007.38.2
Closed Form
Dateca. 1980s or 1990s
porcelain and glaze
Not on view
Akio Takamori, Green Mountain, 2015, stoneware with underglazes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur S. Bresler, Sharon and Robert Buchanan, Brenda Erickson, Carol and Joe Green, Michele Manatt and Wolfram Anders, Clemmer Montague, Gilbert and Bonnie Schwartz, Kathryn Van Wyk, Patricia A. Young, Marilyn Hardis, and Diane and Marc Grainer, 2016.12.1, © 2015, Akio Takamori
Green Mountain
Date2015
stoneware with underglazes
Not on view
Akio Takamori, Ochre Landscape, 2014, stoneware with underglazes, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Giselle and Ben Huberman, Barbara and Arnold Berlin, Leon and Miriam Ellsworth, Bruce and Leslie Lane, Chris Rifkin, Jacqueline Urow, Judith S. Weisman, Anne Mehringer and Terry Beaty, Diane Charnov, Robert Minkoff, and Mark and Reba Immergut, 2016.12.2, © 2014, Akio Takamori
Ochre Landscape
Date2014
stoneware with underglazes
Not on view
Ehren Tool, 204 of Thousands, 2014-2015, stoneware with glaze and decals, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of the people who give the work meaning, 2015.35, © 2015, Ehren Tool
204 of Thousands
Date2014-2015
stoneware with glaze and decals
Not on view
Norwood Viviano, Mining Industries: Downtown Boston, 2015, glass and steel, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Richard T. Evans Fund and the Decorative Arts and Crafts Endowment and gift of Ms. Pace Barnes, 2017.28, © 2015, Norwood Viviano
Mining Industries: Downtown Boston
Date2015
glass and steel
Not on view
Peter Voulkos, Hole in One, 1978, ceramic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Edith S. and Arthur J. Levin, 2005.5.73, © 1978, Voulkos Family Trust
Hole in One
Date1978
ceramic
Not on view
Marie Watt, Edson's Flag, 2004, American flag (from U.S. military burial) with wool blankets, satin, and thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Driek and Michael Zirinsky in honor of Jane Beebe and Spencer Beebe, 2015.28.7, © 2004, Marie K. Watt
Edson’s Flag
Date2004
American flag (from U.S. military burial) with wool blankets, satin, and thread
On view
Dan Webb, Cut, Flamed, Spalted, 2013, maple, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Decorative Arts and Crafts Endowment, the Richard T. Evans Fund, and the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 2015.10, © 2013, Dan Webb
Cut, Flamed, Spalted
Date2013
maple
Not on view
Stacey Lee Webber, The Craftsman Series: Shovels, 2011, pennies, brass, silver, and copper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by the Clare Brackett Morison Bequest in memory of Philip Fike and museum purchase through the Richard T. Evans Fund, 2013.77A-C
The Craftsman Series: Shovels
Date2011
pennies, brass, silver, and copper
Not on view
J. Fred Woell, Democracy Speaks, 2003, wood, brass, paper, nickel, and bullet shells, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of J. Fred Woell, 2017.29
Democracy Speaks
Date2003
wood, brass, paper, nickel, and bullet shells
Not on view
Shiang-shin Yeh, Bracelet ALS 16L #2 CL, 1996, anodized aluminum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Zack Peabody, 2000.62.17
Bracelet ALS 16L #2 CL
Date1996
anodized aluminum
Not on view
Lynette Youson, Gullah Fanner Basket, 2002, sweetgrass, bulrush, pine needles, and palmetto fronds, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.76
Gullah Fanner Basket
Date2002
sweetgrass, bulrush, pine needles, and palmetto fronds
Not on view

Artists

Terese Agnew
born Milwaukee, WI 1959
Debra Baxter
born Omaha, NE 1972
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Jamie Bennett
born Philadelphia, PA 1948

Jamie Bennett studied metalsmithing at the University of Georgia and later at the State University of New York, New Paltz.

Melanie Bilenker
born New York, NY 1978
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Wendell Castle
born Emporia, KS 1932-died Scottsville, NY 2018

Born in Emporia, Kansas, Wendell Castle earned a B.F.A. degree in sculpture in 1958 and an M.F.A. in industrial design in 1961 at the University of Kansas.

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Dale Chihuly
born Tacoma, WA 1941

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly studied with Harvey Littleton, founder of the studio glass movement, at the University of Wisconsin and received an M.F.A. degree from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1968.

Kathryn Clark
born Knoxville, TN 1971
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Dan Dailey
born Philadelphia, PA 1947

Dan Dailey became fascinated with what he considers the “magic” of glassblowing while at Philadelphia College of Art. He often incorporates other materials and will bend or penetrate the surface of the glass to play on its brittleness and solidity.

Erik Demaine
born Halifax, Nova Scotia 1981
Joshua DeMonte
born Red Bank, NJ 1984
Brian Dettmer
born Chicago, IL 1974
Charles Eames
born St. Louis, MO 1907-died St. Louis, MO 1978
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David Ellsworth
born Iowa City, IA 1944

David Ellsworth received his MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1973. Eight years earlier, he had studied architecture for a year at Washington University, St. Louis.

Larry Fuente
born Chicago, IL 1947-died 2024

Born in Chicago, Larry Fuente studied at the Kansas City Art Institute from 1967 to 1968, after which he followed friends to California.

Michael Izrael Galmer
born Soviet Union 1947
Robly A. Glover
born Carmi, IL 1956
John Grade
born Minneapolis, MN 1970
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Myra Mimlitsch Gray
born Camden, NJ 1962

Myra Mimlitsch Gray received her masters degree in metalsmithing from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1986.

Sabrina Gschwandtner
born Washington, DC 1977
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William Harper
born Bucyrus, OH 1944

Born in Bucyrus, Ohio, Harper received a B.S. degree in 1966 and the following year an M.S. in education from Case Western Reserve University. He also studied advanced enameling at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

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Wayne Higby
born Colorado Springs, CO 1943

Born in Colorado Springs, Wayne Higby received a B.F.A. degree in 1966 from the University of Colorado in Boulder and an M.F.A. degree in 1968 from the University of Michigan.

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Robyn Horn
born Fort Smith, AR 1951

Robyn Horn was born in Fort Smith Arkansas, and went to Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.

Mary Lee Hu
born Lakewood, OH 1943

Born in Lakewood, Ohio, Mary Lee Hu earned a B.F.A. degree in 1965 at Cranbrook Academy of Art and an M.F.A. in 1967 at Southern Illinois University, where she first explored weaving wire—a characteristic of her jewelry.

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Mary Jackson
born Mount Pleasant, SC 1945

Mary Jackson was four when her mother taught her to weave baskets from dried sweet grass. Eventually, Jackson grew bored with the traditional pieces she had been making and began to create contemporary forms from traditional materials.

Sergey Jivetin
born Tashkent, Uzbekistan 1977
Mariska Karasz
born Budapest, Hungary 1898-died Danbury, CT 1960

Self-taught embroiderer Mariska Karasz arrived in the United States from her native Hungary at the age of sixteen. The influence of Hungary's rich folk-art tradition is reflected in her early work.

Silas Kopf
born Warren, PA 1949
Karen LaMonte
born New York City 1967
Ron Layport
born Elyria, OH 1942
Steven Young Lee
born Chicago, IL 1975
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Kristina Logan
born Worcester, MA 1964

Kristina Logan always intended to have a career as an artist, but it wasn’t until after college when she spent four years working for glass artist Dan Dailey that she found direction for her work.

Marc Maiorana
born Greenfield, MA 1978
Sam Maloof
born Chino, CA 1916-died Rancho Cucamonga, CA 2009

Born in Chino, California, Sam Maloof is a 1934 graduate of Chino High School. He worked as a graphic artist before being encouraged by his wife to pursue woodworking.

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Richard Marquis
born Bumble Bee, AZ 1945

Richard Marquis earned a B.A. degree in 1969 and an M.A. in 1971 at the University of California at Berkeley, where he studied glass and ceramics.

Julian Martinez
born San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM 1879-died San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM 1943

Although Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) created many paintings on paper, he is best known for his collaborations with his wife, the potter Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo).

Sebastian Martorana
born Manassas, VA 1981
Richard Mawdsley
born Winfield, KS 1945

Richard Mawdsley earned a B.S. degree in education in 1967 at Kansas State Teachers College and an M.F.A. in 1969 at the University of Kansas.

John E. McGuire
born Rochester, NY 1942
John McQueen
born Oakland, IL 1943

John McQueen earned a B.A. degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa in 1971 and an M.F.A. degree at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in 1975.

Steven Montgomery
born Detroit, MI 1954
William Morris
born Carmel, CA 1957
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Edward Moulthrop
born Rochester, NY 1916-died Atlanta, GA 2003

Born in Cleveland, Edward Moulthrop earned a B.A. degree in architecture in 1939 at Case Institute of Technology and an M.F.A. at Princeton University in 1941.

George Nakashima
born Spokane, WA 1905-died New Hope, PA 1990

"To build a small palace around here with a Japanese carpenter in the finest traditions …" is a dream George Nakashima would like to realize someday.

Otto Natzler
born Vienna, Austria 1908-died Los Angeles, CA 2007

Born in Vienna, Austria, Gertrud Natzler graduated from the Vienna Handelsakademie in 1926 and later took classes in drawing, painting, and ceramics.

Andy Paiko
born Woodland, CA 1977
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Albert Paley
born Philadelphia, PA 1944

Albert Paley earned B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in 1966 and 1969 respectively.

Joan Parcher
born Pittsburgh, PA 1956

Joan Parcher spends hours digging through garbage dumps to gather materials for her jewelry. After collecting fragments of rubber, graphite and mica, the artist sets them aside until she decides how best to showcase their natural characteristics.

Zack Peabody
born New London, CT 1968

Zack Peabody uses industrial materials in his work to call attention to the beauty of everyday objects. His stainless steel and niobium brooches and bracelets look like the skeletons of buildings and bridges.

Matthias Pliessnig
born New Orleans, LA 1978
Ed Rossbach
born Chicago, IL 1914-died Berkeley, CA 2002

Born in Chicago, Ed Rossbach earned a B.A degree in 1940 at the University of Washington, an M.A. in 1941 at Columbia University, and an M.F.A. in 1947 at Cranbrook Academy of Art.

Judith Schaechter
born Gainesville, FL 1961
Kim Schmahmann
South African, born Johannesburg, South Africa 1955
Viktor Schreckengost
born Sebring, OH 1906-died Tallahassee, FL 2008

A prolific industrial designer, artist, and teacher, Viktor Schreckengost's creations have touched on nearly every aspect of American life.

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Joyce Scott
born Baltimore, MD 1948

Joyce Scott relates her work as an artist to her family's craft traditions and to her African American heritage. In her jewelry and sculpture, she employs humor and irony to address cultural stereotypes and issues of racism and sexism.

Eric Serritella
born Ellenville, NY 1963
Josh Simpson
born New Haven, CT 1949

Josh Simpson first experimented with glass when he was a student at Hamilton College in 1970.

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Paul Stankard
born Attleboro, MA 1943

Following his father's advice, Paul Stankard studied glassblowing at a technical college and worked for ten years producing glass instruments for laboratories.

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Billie Ruth Sudduth
born Sewanee, TN 1945-died 2021

Billie Ruth Sudduth began making baskets as a diversion from her job as a school psychologist, and decided in 1989 to dedicate all of her time to weaving.

Lino Tagliapietra
Italian, born Murano, Italy 1934
Toshiko Takaezu
born Pepeekeo, HI 1922-died Honolulu, HI 2011

Toshiko Takaezu studied at the University of Hawaii and at Cranbrook Academy in Michigan, where she also taught. She has been on the faculty of other institutions, including the Cleveland Institute of Art and Princeton University.

Akio Takamori
Japanese born Nobeoka, Japan 1950-died Seattle, WA 2017
Ehren Tool
born Charleston, SC 1970
Norwood Viviano
born Royal Oak, MI 1972
Anna Von Mertens
born Boston, MA 1973
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Peter Voulkos
born Bozeman, MT 1924-died Bowling Green, OH 2002

After serving in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946, he entered Montana State College, earning a B.S. degree in 1951 and, the following year, an M.F.A. degree at California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

Marie Watt
born Seattle, WA 1967
Dan Webb
born East Lansing, MI 1965
Stacey Lee Webber
born Indianapolis, IN 1982
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J. Fred Woell
born Evergreen Park, IL 1934-died Deer Isle, ME 2015

J.

Shiang-shin Yeh
born Taipei, Taiwan 1969

Shiang-shin Yeh studied mechanical engineering at the National Taiwan University because “it seemed to be the most practical and useful subject in the world.” He grew dissatisfied with engineering, however, and turned to applied design, studying metal

Lynette Youson
born Charleston, SC 1964