Craft in America

Arts and Music Series / 16 Seasons

Craft in America explores the vitality, history and significance of the craft movement in the United States and its impact on our nation's rich cultural heritage. Capturing the beauty, creativity and originality of craftsmanship, the film highlights artists and explores the inter-relationship of what they do, how they do it and why they have chosen a life of creating art.

53m 27s

Laura Perez on fiber artist Consuelo Jimenez Underwood

1m 24s

Laura Perez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley, talks about fiber artist Consuelo Jimenez Underwood's work. Consuelo Jimenez Underwood is featured in the Threads episode of Craft in America.

Bootmaker Lisa Sorrell

12m 17s

Bootmaker Lisa Sorrell learned to sew at the age of 12. When she moved from Missouri to Oklahoma at the age of 20, she answered an ad in the paper for "stitching boot tops." She had never heard of a custom bootmaker and had never worn cowboy boots. The craft fascinated her and led her to become a custom boot maker. Segment from the FAMILY episode

Moulthrop family

15m 37s

President Jimmy Carter shares his admiration for Ed Moulthrop, who was known as the father of modern woodturning. Ed was an architect who found a passion for creating beautiful large-scale turned wood objects. He single handedly raised national awareness of woodturning as an art while inventing tools used by woodcrafters for generations to come. Philip and Matt Moulthrop followed in Ed's footsteps

FAMILY episode preview

30s

Watch a 30 second preview of the FAMILY episode. Is talent inherited? What is it like to live in a household where objects are made by hand? This episode explores the creative environments and personal dynamics of four families of craft artists. Featured artists include the Lees, Marionis, Moulthrops and Sorrells.

Moulthrop Family

2m 16s

Meet three generations of the Moulthrop family of woodturners. Ed Moulthrop, known as the father of modern woodturning, was an architect who found his passion in large-scale turned wood. Like his father, Philip Moulthrop trained as a lawyer, but found greater satisfaction in making uniquely patterned wood bowls. Matt Moulthrop apprenticed with his father and grandfather, continues the tradition.

Moulthrop family clip featuring President Carter

2m 18s

President Jimmy Carter introduces us to the Moulthrop family of Georgia woodturners and New York gallerist Michael Heller tells us more about the Moulthrops' work. The Moulthrops are featured in the Family episode of Craft in America.

Ed Moulthrop’s architectural woodturnings

1m 50s

Woodturners Philip and Matt Moulthrop talk about the tools and methods that Ed developed. Ed Moulthrop works at the lathe and describes some of his pieces. FAMILY episode PBS premiere: October 17, 2011.

Bead artist Joyce J. Scott

14m 3s

Joyce J. Scott, Baltimore bead artist, uses her knowledge of glass, quilting, printmaking and performance to comment on issues as diverse as race, necromancy, and the scourge of drugs on the inner city. By making art that attracts by its brilliant color and sparkle, she entices us to look, and by looking, we are forced to confront issues that we would rather not have to deal with.

MESSAGES episode preview

30s

Watch a preview of the MESSAGES episode. MESSAGES looks at the ways many craft artists go beyond skill to personal and political expression. They use craft to tell a story, prove a point, or bring attention to contemporary issues. Artists featured include glass artist Beth Lipman, santero Charles M. Carrillo, bead artist Joyce J. Scott; and jewelry artist and sculptor Thomas Mann.

Curator George Ciscle on Joyce J Scott

1m 18s

Curator George Ciscle seated in front of Rodin's "The Thinker" at the Baltimore Museum of Art, explores the messages embedded in works by Joyce J. Scott, including the "No Mommy, Me" series and "Man Eating Watermelon." Joyce J. Scott learned quilting and beading from her mother and draws from references as wide-ranging as Africa and comic books to focus on issues such as race and stereotyping.

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