Craft in America

Arts and Music Series / 15 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

Nicholas Galanin on "White Noise, American Prayer Rug"

3m 9s

Artist Nicholas Galanin on "White Noise, American Prayer Rug", one of two pieces by Galanin included in the 2019 Whitney Biennial. Bonus video from the STORYTELLERS episode.

Learn more about Craft Emergency Relief Fund Plus (CERF+)

3m 2s

Cornelia Carey, Executive Director of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund Plus (CERF+) and artist Christina Bothwell on CERF+. Bonus video from the STORYTELLERS episode.

Woodworker and furniture maker Wendy Maruyama

8m 36s

Woodworker and furniture maker Wendy Maruyama delves into matters of ethnicity, gender and world issues in her work. Born an American of Japanese heritage, Maruyama satisfied her artistic passions by becoming an important furniture maker in a field dominated by men and in the process, overcame challenges related to her deafness and disability. Segment from the IDENTITY episode

Chemehuevi artist Cara Romero

9m 38s

Cara Romero, a contemporary photographer and member of the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe of the Chemehuevi Reservation (a branch of the Southern Paiute) of the Mojave Desert, CA is a passionate spokesperson for indigenous cultural and environmental issues. Her complex and nuanced images combine traditional iconography with a contemporary perspective, bringing past, present and future into consideration.

Cochiti Pueblo potter Diego Romero

12m 5s

Diego Romero is a potter living and working in Santa Fe, NM and a member of the Cochiti Pueblo tribe. He makes art that transcends his Native American heritage by combining traditional materials, techniques and forms of ancient Mimbres, Anasazi and Greek pottery with comic book inspired imagery, to talk about contemporary issues. Segment from the IDENTITY episode

Navajo quilter Susan Hudson

9m 19s

Navajo/Diné artist Susan Hudson's pictorial quilts honor her ancestors and the proud history of the Navajo people using a crossover style inspired by Ledger art. Recounting history through her ledger quilts has made Hudson an activist storyteller, chronicling the hardships endured by her ancestors. Segment from the QUILTS episode

Quilter Michael A. Cummings

10m 49s

Quilter Michael A. Cummings is inspired by jazz. Working in the narrative tradition, Cummings and his sewing machine tell stories of the African American experience across historical, cultural, philosophical and mythical realms. Segment from the QUILTS episode

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