Angele Seiley, Thomas Mann's graphic designer & Mark Garcie, principal artisan, snuck back in the city to check on the studio. Angele took a photo of the statue of Robert E. Lee, looking north in contemplation of the defeat of the South but also facing the Katrina winds. Lee Circle is the pivot point of Mardi Gras parades. Seeing it void of activity is rare & put the future of Mardi Gras in doubt.

This depicts the 17th St. Canal breach & resulting loss of 60,000 homes. Canals were excavated long ago to drain swamps & create more land. The steel sheeting in the walls was not driven down deep enough & the funds the Army Corps of Engineers got to correct this were used by the Bush admin. for Iraq. The failure of these walls is "the largest civil engineering disaster in the history of the U.S."

A dear friend, photographer and furniture maker Paul Guerra, transported people and supplies with his 7-ton truck, often driving 16 hrs. a day through 4 ft. of water. He began alone, hours after the storm, picking up stranded neighbors. Then he went into convoy with the National Guard, bringing people from the "Cajun Navy" boats to the Convention Center. This guy truly is a New Orleans Local Hero.

Philip Simmons (1912-2009) was a renowned blacksmith in Charleston, SC. At the age of 13, he dropped out of school and started his apprenticeship as an iron worker with Charleston native, Peter Simmons (no relation). Although his work ranges from ornamental fences, stair rails to window grills, he was most famous for his gates that contain elaborate designs of animals and trees.

Kiowa beadwork artist Teri Greeves follows and updates the Kiowa tradition of beadwork, to tell the story of the American Indian, both contemporary and historical. Her works include beaded books, jewelry, and even high top sneakers! Segment from the ORIGINS episode

What inspires a person to choose a career in craft? And how does one acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to become a craft artist. Featuring the 92nd St Y, jewelers Dave & Roberta Williamson, ceramic artists Cary Esser & Nikki Lewis, Kansas City Art Institute, North Bennet Street School, book artist Julie Chen, printmaker Tom Killion.

Watch a preview of the Origins episode, which focuses on the origins of the American craft movement and features artists who tie their work to early craft techniques and pass these techniques to others in a continuum of creativity. Artists featured include blacksmith Philip Simmons, potter Vernon Owens, Kiowa beadworker Teri Greeves, weaver Jim Bassler, and glass artist Paul Stankard.

Book artist Julie Chen on how she discovered book arts. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Beadworker Teri Greeves shows us the outfit made for her son's naming ceremony. Teri Greeves is featured in the ORIGINS episode of Craft in America.

Jim Bassler, weaver and professor, talks to his students about a Nasca period (200 BC - 700 AD) Peruvian textile, a seemingly simple yet sophisticated process of weaving. ORIGINS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Weaver Jim Bassler talks about cochineal and demonstrates a resist-dye technique. ORIGINS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Jewelry artist Roberta Williamson talks about her work. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Book artist Julie Chen talks about figuring out tricky design details. Julie Chen is featured in the PROCESS episode of Craft in America.

Jewelry artists Dave and Roberta Williamson take their students to the antique mart. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Kathleen Walkup, Director of Book Art Program at Mills College, talks about and shows us important unconventional books. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Jim Bassler, weaver and professor, talks about being an artist in California during the 60s. With his wife Veralee they made the decision to move to Oaxaca to begin a program which introduced U.S. students to the culture on Southern Mexico. The ethnic textiles that inspired him during his travels became the foundation for his work. ORIGINS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Roberta Williamson on antique paper. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Kathleen Walkup, Director of the Book Art Program at Mills College, talks about the short history of book arts. PROCESS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.

Jewelry artists Roberta & David Williamson on their process and how they work together.

Jim Bassler weaves by hand. ORIGINS episode PBS premiere: October 7, 2009.