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

Tour the Thorsen House

1m 22s

Weston Slaughter on living in the Thorsen House in Berkeley, California. Special Thanks to the California Sigma Phi Society. Bonus video from CALIFORNIA episode PBS premiere December 21, 2018 (check local listings)

CALIFORNIA episode preview

1m

Premieres Dec 21, 2018. CALIFORNIA explores the diverse craft heritage, traditions and innovations in the Golden State. Featuring Pomo basket weaver Corine Pearce, silversmith Randy Stromsoe, the Arts and Crafts architecture of Greene & Greene, stained glass artists at Judson Studios, cabinet makers James Ipekjian and Jack Ipekjian, and textile artist Deborah Cross.

VISIONARIES episode preview

1m

Premieres Dec 21, 2018. VISIONARIES documents the ways in which artists and influencers inspire new generations to envision the limitless possibilities of craft. Featuring textile designer and founder of LongHouse Reserve Jack Lenor Larsen, curator Helen Molesworth and Black Mountain College, weaver Kay Sekimachi, collector Forrest L. Merrill, and book artist Felicia Rice.

Vasquez family of weavers

10m 44s

The Vasquez family is one of the oldest weaving families in Teotitlán del Valle, México, who pioneered the renaissance of using pre-Hispanic natural dyes on pure wool. They perform all steps by hand, taking the raw material wool to finished rug carding, spinning, dyeing and weaving. Their design are drawn from both modern and ancient Zapotec sources. Segment from the BORDERS episode

Judy Baca on her murals at RFK Community Schools

2m 58s

Artist and muralist Judy Baca on the Robert F. Kennedy Community School murals titled "Tiny Ripples of Hope" and "Seeing through Others Eyes." Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017 (check local listings) Archival courtesy of UCLA.

Carlos Rogel on Judy Baca's "Migration of the Golden People"

1m 54s

Carlos Rogel, Project Manager at Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC), on Judy Baca's mural, "Migration of the Golden People." Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017 (check local listings)

David Alfaro Siqueiros' mural "América Tropical"

5m 3s

John M. Valadez and Barbara Carrasco on David Alfaro Siqueiros' mural "América Tropical." Located at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument in downtown Los Angeles, "América Tropical" is the only mural by Siqueiros in the United states still in its original location. Bonus video from NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere: Friday, September 29, 2017 (check local listings)

Día de los Muertos altars at Grand Park

2m 57s

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altars at Grand Park in Los Angeles by Celina Jacques, Consuelo Flores, Joan Zamora, and Javier Guillen. BORDERS episode PBS premiere September 29, 2017

Gerardo Monterrubio on his work inspired by his grandparents

3m 12s

Ceramic artist Gerardo Monterrubio on his work inspired by his grandparents, "El Corrido de Don Gustavo Martinez" and "La Ranchera de Doña Marcelina de Martinez." NEIGHBORS episode PBS premiere: Friday, September 29, 2017

Supported by