Craft in America: Expanding Traditions is organized by Craft in America, Inc., Los Angeles, and Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions (CATE), Pasadena, California.

Given the Pacific Northwest's noted contribution to the American craft movement, and the creative hub that Museum of Contemporary Craft has been in the region for 70 continuous years, CRAFT IN AMERICA: Expanding Traditions is an inspired choice as the Museum's inaugural exhibition. "There is a trajectory of the American craft movement that has run parallel to avant-garde art movements for many decades. This exhibition examines this separate history, and sets the stage to understand craft today," states Namita Gupta Wiggers, curator at Museum of Contemporary Craft.

Beginning with the Industrial Revolution and continuing through the present, this important historical survey elucidates the dynamic evolution of the American craft movement. Including more than 120 objects that represent broad examples of artwork that is craft-based – either through media, technique or both – the exhibition presents a compelling selection of craft made in the past two centuries. This curated selection of objects recognizes many of the significant social, cultural, political and artistic contributions that have guided the development of craft in this country.

The exhibition is part of the Craft in America project that includes a companion book, CRAFT IN AMERICA: Celebrating Two Centuries of Artists and Objects; a 3-part documentary series airing nationally on PBS television, CRAFT IN AMERICA: Memory, Landscape, Community; and the website www.craftinamerica.org. Please check with your local PBS station for up-to-date listings information. In Oregon, segments of the documentary series are set to air on OBP television July 8 and 15 at 1 pm.

For more information about the Craft in America project, please visit www.craftinamerica.org.

Exhibition sponsor: TriMet

Additional support provided by The Oregonian

RELATED PROGRAMMING

PANEL DISCUSSION
The Making of the Craft in America Documentary
Sunday, July 22, 1 pm, The Lab
Moderated by Carol Sauvion.
Panelists: Dan Seeger (film director); Mira Nakashima, Denise and Sam Wallace (artists); Linny Adamson (curator)

Panel Discussion
The Making of the Craft in America Documentary
Sunday, July 22, 3 pm, The Lab
Moderated by Jo Lauria. Panelists: Einar and Jamex de la Torre, David Gurney, Gerhardt Knodel and Mira Nakashima.

FAMILY DISCOVERY SUNDAY
The Art in Craft!
Sunday, July 29, 1–4 pm, The Lab

ARTIST TALK
Pat Courtney Gold
Sunday, August 12, 2 pm

SCHOOL'S OUT! / ART'S IN!
Craft Extravaganza
Monday–Friday, August 13–17, 9:30 am–3:30 pm
Ages 7–12, Pre-registration required

EXHIBITION TALK
Lloyd Herman
Thursday, August 16, 6 pm

FAMILY DISCOVERY SUNDAY
Weaving Our History
Sunday, August 26, 1–4 pm, The Lab

TOURS
Exhibition Tours
Every Wednesday and Saturday, 1 pm
Tours convene at the front desk

VIDEO
Craft in America: Memory, Landscape, Community Check in at the front desk for daily screening times

FEATURED ARTISTS IN THE GALLERY
Donna D'Aquino and Wendy Huhn

IMAGES (top to bottom): Chunghi Choo, Decanter, 1980, silver-plated electroformed copper, 5 7/8 x 4 7/8 x 8 1/8 inches, Photo by R. H. Hensleigh and Tim Thayer, Courtesy of Cranbrook Art Museum; Caleb Siemon, Banded Low Bowl, Cranberry/Apricot, 2006. Blown glass. 9 x 15 x 15 inches, Photo by Lloyd Solly; Ralph Bacerra, Untitled Cloud Vessel, 1997, porcelain, 18 x 12 x 4 inches, Photo by Anthony Cuñha, courtesy Frank Lloyd Gallery; Nettie Jackson (Klikitat), Coiled Cedar Root Berry Basket, 1984, cedar root bark and bear grass basket, 18 x 16 x 16 inches, Photo by Doug Hill; George Nakashima. Conoid Bench with Back, d esigned: c. 1961, production date of this example: 1974, American black walnut, hickory, East Indian rosewood, 31 x 113 x 40 inches.