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

Eugene Burks and Caisson at Arlington National Cemetery

9m 30s

Senior Horse Tack Specialist Eugene Burks Jr and Caissons at Arlington National Cemetery segment from the SERVICE episode. Eugene Burks Jr. is a 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and a saddler. Burks learned many aspects of his leather craft from his grandmother, a dressmaker.

SERVICE Episode Preview 2 min 40 sec

2m 42s

Watch a preview of Craft in America: SERVICE, exploring creativity, healing and our nation’s soldiers and veterans. Featuring ceramic artist Ehren Tool, potter Judas Recendez, Peter Voulkos and other G.I. Bill artists, Pam DeLuco and the Paper Doll Project, and Eugene Burks Jr, saddler at the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon.

SERVICE episode preview

30s

Watch a 30 sec preview of Craft in America: SERVICE, premering on PBS November 2, 2014 (*check local listings). SERVICE: exploring creativity, healing and our nation’s soldiers and veterans. Featuring ceramic artist Ehren Tool, potter Judas Recendez, Peter Voulkos and other G.I. Bill artists, Pam DeLuco and the Paper Doll Project, and Eugene Burks Jr, saddler at the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon.

G.I. Bill students at Corcoran College of Art + Design

4m 47s

Retired Brigadier General Nolen Bivens, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, introduces us to veterans who are using the G.I. Bill to study at the Corcoran College of Art + Design.

Eugene Burks Jr. explains "Line of Draft"

1m 19s

Senior Horse Tack Specialist Eugene Burks Jr. shows the importance of the "Line of Draft," of the caisson horses working in Arlington National Cemetery. The caissons are featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

A caisson soldier's last day

1m 9s

On his last day in the caisson unit at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Army Specialist Tyler Meyers reflects on his service and introduces us to his favorite horse, Rowdy. The caissons are featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

U.S. Navy veteran Kelly McFarland

4m 1s

U.S. Navy veteran Kelly McFarland explains the details and importance of a Chief Petty Officer's uniform. Her story is part of the "Paper Dolls" book, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jennifer Vollbrecht

2m 27s

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jennifer Vollbrecht was a 19 year old helicopter crew chief and door gunner in Iraq and is one of the few and proud women to wear the Combat Insignia. Her story is part of the "Paper Dolls" book, featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

U.S. Army veteran Luana Ritch

1m 59s

U.S. Army veteran Luana Ritch, featured in the "Paper Dolls" book in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America, tells us of suffering in the cold of Korea because women were not issued cold weather gear as "women were not essential personnel."

U.S. Army farrier Charles Morrison shoes a horse

4m 35s

U.S. Army farrier Charles Morrison shows how he cleans and shoes the horses of the caisson platoon that serves Arlington National Cemetery. The caissons are featured in the SERVICE episode of Craft in America.

Gees Bend Quilters

15m 30s

Descending from several generations of quiltmakers, Lucy Mingo learned to quilt at an early age and today at age 83 is considered one of the finest second generation Gee's Bend quilters. Mary Ann Pettway, Manager of the Gee's Bend Quilter's Collective, learned to quilt as a young child from her mother. The 7th of 12 children, Mary Ann Pettway was born and raised in Gee's Bend.

Julie Silber talks about her love of quilts

3m 26s

Quilt Historian Julie Silber talks about her love of quilts. Archival courtesy of Susan Einstein, jillyspoon, Library of Congress, Arthur Rothstein photo, Margaret Maloney, Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, Rachel Gehlhar photo, Monceau, National Archives and Records Administration, Irving Rusinow photo, Souls Grown Deep Foundation, Julie Silber.

Explore weaving in Asheville

3m 58s

Explore weaving in Asheville. Archival courtesy of Biltmore Estate, Biltmore Industries Inc, D.H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, UNC Asheville, Grovewood Gallery, National Archives and Records Administration.

INDUSTRY episode preview

30s / TV-G

INDUSTRY: Handmade in the Creative Economy. Featuring Gee’s Bend quilters Lucy Mingo & Mary Ann Pettway, quilter Joe Cunningham, boat builder Graham McKay & Lowell’s Boat Shop, artist Bethanne Knudson & The Oriole Mill, jewelry artist Shane Yamane, Etsy.

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