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

COLLECTORS episode preview

58s

COLLECTORS reveals the essential role that craft appreciators play in the community, examining how collectors affirm and inspire the artists they support. The episode highlights collections from Chicano art to teapots to wooden spoons, looking at what drives collectors and how their support furthers artists at all stages of their careers.

SCIENCE episode preview

1m

SCIENCE investigates the unexpected intersection between art and the sciences, spanning technology, engineering, biology, math, and the climate emergency. Nature, space, algorithms, and more serve as inspiration for artists connecting their work to the world around them, from the Santa Clara Pueblo in New Mexico to the computer science labs of MIT to NASA.

Noah's Ark at the Skirball segment

12m 10s

The Skirball Cultural Center is a Jewish educational institution that hosts a puppet festival annually. This year, artist Chris Green joins to revisit one of the centerpieces of their children’s programming, Noah’s Ark, a vast installation featuring hundreds of animals crafted from repurposed objects. Segment from the PLAY episode

Puppeteer Schroeder Cherry segment

10m 29s

In Baltimore, artist and museum educator Schroeder Cherry introduces us to his cast of handmade puppets. Dr. Cherry puts on puppet shows to share African American history with children and adults alongside his practice as a painter and assemblage artist. Segment from PLAY episode

Miniaturist Mark Murphy segment

10m 31s

Miniaturist Mark Murphy shares his process for creating intricately detailed miniature furniture. We travel with him to the Chicago International Miniatures Show and connect with his community of other remarkable miniature artists. Segment from MINIATURES episode

Cuban artist Leandro Gómez Quintero segment

13m 43s

In Baracoa, Cuba, we learn about the model vehicles of artist Leandro Gómez Quintero. Leandro crafts his faithful recreations of vehicles like the iconic Willys Jeep with intricate detail and accuracy, using found materials to tell the story of Cuba and her people through his art. Segment from MINIATURES episode

International Folk Art Market segment

9m 5s

Travel the globe at the annual International Folk Art Market in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where artists and makers from around the world including Mexico, Peru, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Eswatini, and more share their practices and culture through miniature folk art and other craft traditions. Segment from the MINIATURES episode

Alexander Girard's miniature folk art collection segment

8m 6s

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, iconic 20th-century designer Alexander Girard’s passion for folk art is on view at the “Multiple Visions” exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art. In the 1980s, Girard donated his collection of over 100,000 pieces of miniature folk art to the museum and transformed into one expansive exhibition. Segment from MINIATURES episode

Woodblock print & marionette maker Gustave Baumann segment

12m 16s

Multidisciplinary artist, Gustave Baumann, who created paintings, woodblock prints and marionettes in the first half of the 20th century was deeply inspired by the landscape and people of Santa Fe. The city keeps his legacy alive today with their yearly Christmas marionette show. Segment from MINIATURES episode

Artist Calder Kamin segment

10m 6s

In Breckenridge, Colorado, Calder Kamin creates an art installation at the Breckenridge International Arts Festival. Calder is committed to reusing and recycling in her art and sculpts from discarded plastic, creating a unicorn with old Mardi Gras beads and engaging the community to learn sustainable art methods. Segment from PLAY episode

Lloyd Cotsen & the Cotsen Children's Library segment

5m 45s

Lloyd Cotsen founded the Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University, which houses Cotsen’s vast collection of children’s books from around the world. We learn how children’s books enrich the lives and minds of the community and all of us through play and imagination. Segment from PLAY episode

Lloyd Cotsen's collections

5m 22s

Learn about Lloyd Cotsen's collections, which include Chinese bronze mirrors, textiles, folk art, and Japanese baskets. Lloyd Cotsen founded the Cotsen Children’s Library at Princeton University, which houses Cotsen’s vast collection of children’s books from around the world. Bonus video from the PLAY episode

Epsi Frazier's work at JELMA

1m 16s

Artist, puppeteer, museum educator Schroeder Cherry on his role as curator at the James E. Lewis Museum of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, where he invites artist Espi Frazier to show her work in the gallery. Bonus video from PLAY episode

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