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

Wharton Esherick's Bedroom Trap Door and Desk

1m 41s

Holly Gore, Research Director at the Wharton Esherick Museum on Wharton Esherick's Bedroom Trap Door and Desk. Bonus video from HOME episode. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 16, 2022 (check local listings)

Jewelry artist Harriete Estel Berman

8m 52s

Harriete Estel Berman is an American artist and sculptor. Since 1988, she has been using post-consumer, recycled materials to create jewelry, Judaica, and sculpture. Segment from the JEWELRY episode

Jewelry artist Art Smith

10m 48s

Art Smith (1917–1982) was a highly acclaimed jewelry artist whose extraordinary avant-garde creations pushed the limits of modernism from 1946 to the early 70s. Much of his work was a completely different scale from his contemporaries. He has been called a star of the modernist jewelry movement. Segment from the JEWELRY episode

Navajo/Hopi jewelry artist Jesse Monongya

8m 29s

Jesse Monongya is a master Navajo/Hopi jeweler Monongya is best known for his night-sky designs inlaid into a bear shape, which symbolizes strength and power, as well as other forms. His bracelets, necklaces, pendants, bolo ties, and earrings inlaid with Acoma jet, sugilite, coral, turquoise, lapis, and ivory among others are complemented by the dramatic southwestern landscapes that inspired him.

Harriete Estel Berman's Menorah

2m 21s

Harriete Estel Berman on her Menorah, “They whisper names to me, I am a channel. This piece is made of recycled tin cans and the menorah itself is made of brass. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Learn more about Harriete Estel Berman's work

3m 36s

Harriete Estel Berman on her Judaica sculptures, The 10 Modern Plagues, constructed from post consumer recycled tin cans, spice tins, and vintage steel dollhouses. This series is based on the concept of 'tikkun olam', Hebrew for repair the world. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Jesse's childhood growing up in the Navajo Nation

2m 13s

Navajo/Hopi master jeweler Jesse Monongya on growing up with horses near Toadlena, New Mexico. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Joanne Hyppolite on personal adornment

1m 3s

Curator Joanne Hyppolite on personal adornment and human beautification. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Musician Jon Pickow sings Pretty Saro

2m 49s

Musician Jon Pickow (1958-2020) sings a family favorite, "Pretty Saro." Bonus video from the HARMONY episode streaming starting November 4, 2021 on the PBS Video App, craftinamerica.org, and pbs.org/craftinamerica. PBS broadcast premiere December 10, 2021 (check local listings).

Jesse Monongya on cutting stones

5m 17s

Navajo/Hopi master jeweler Jesse Monongya on cutting stones and his grandfather. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Ann Savoy's handmade clothes

1m 46s

Ann Savoy on her handmade clothes. Bonus video from the HARMONY episode streaming starting November 4, 2021 on the PBS Video App, craftinamerica.org, and pbs.org/craftinamerica. PBS broadcast premiere December 10, 2021 (check local listings).

Listen to more music from Appalachia

4m 8s

"Cindy" performed by Randy Wilson, Jon Pickow, Yoko Nogami, Don Pedi. Don Pedi, Jon Pickow, Doug Naselroad played “Baby-O” off-camera. Randy Wilson performed "My Little Sugar Shack" (written by Randy Wilson). Bonus video from the HARMONY episode streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings).

Find out about Pernambuco wood conservation

1m 39s

Bow maker Susan Lipkins on pernambuco wood conservation. Bonus video from the HARMONY episode streaming starting November 4, 2021 on the PBS Video App, craftinamerica.org, and pbs.org/craftinamerica. PBS broadcast premiere December 10, 2021 (check local listings).

Learn more about Richard Jolley

1m 45s

Glass artists Richard Jolley and Tommie Rush on working with students. Bonus video from the HARMONY episode streaming starting November 4, 2021 on the PBS Video App, craftinamerica.org, and pbs.org/craftinamerica. PBS broadcast premiere December 10, 2021 (check local listings).

Joanne Hyppolite on NMAAHC's Art Smith collection

1m 27s

Curator Joanne Hyppolite on National Museum of African American History & Culture's collection of Art Smith work and personal items. Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode, streaming starting Nov 4, 2021. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021 (check local listings)

Ornament Magazine & Carolyn L.E. Benesh

3m 37s

Learn more about Ornament Magazine and the legacy of its co-founder and co-editor, Carolyn L.E. Benesh (1944-2020). Bonus video from the JEWELRY episode. PBS broadcast premiere Dec 10, 2021.

Supported by