Skip to content
Crafting

Crystal Bridges museum celebrates ‘Crafting America’

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Crafting
Featuring over 100 works in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass and more unexpected materials, ‘Crafting America’ presents a diverse and inclusive story of American craft from the 1940s to today, highlighting the work of artists such as Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson, and Sonya Clark.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – ‘Crafting America,’ which celebrates the skill and individuality of craft within the broad context of American art, will open at the Crystal Bridges on Feb. 5 and run through May 31. From jewelry to furniture to sculptures and more, this exhibition is dazzling and full of surprises.

Featuring over 100 works in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass and more unexpected materials, ‘Crafting America’ presents a diverse and inclusive story of American craft from the 1940s to today, highlighting the work of artists such as Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson, and Sonya Clark.

Featuring over 100 works in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass and more unexpected materials, ‘Crafting America’ presents a diverse and inclusive story of American craft from the 1940s to today, highlighting the work of artists such as Ruth Asawa, Peter Voulkos, Jeffrey Gibson, and Sonya Clark.

Craft has long been a realm accessible to the broadest range of individuals, providing an opportunity to explore personal creativity, innovation and technical skill. This exhibition foregrounds varied backgrounds and perspectives in craft, from the vital contributions of Indigenous artists to the new skills and points of view brought by immigrants to the United States.

Crafting
Wendell Castle, Chest of Drawers, 1962, oak, walnut, birch, and oak plywood, 47 ¼ x 20 11/25 x 52 19/50 in. Courtesy of R & Company, New York © Wendell Castle Estate

Developed by Jen Padgett, associate curator at Crystal Bridges, and Glenn Adamson, guest curator and scholar of craft, design history, and contemporary art, ‘Crafting America’ asserts craft’s integral role in expanding the story of American art and is accompanied by a major multi-author illustrated publication published by Crystal Bridges and the University of Arkansas Press.

Admission to the exhibition is $12 for adults. Members, SNAP participants, veterans, and youth 18 and will be admitted free of charge.

Join curators Jen Padgett and Glenn Adamson for a virtual opening exhibition lecture will take place on Friday, Feb. 5, from 7:30–8:30 p.m. The conversation will give insight into the formation of the exhibition, glimpses of artists and artworks included, and discussion on the varied backgrounds and perspectives in craft.

For more information and to order tickets, visit https://crystalbridges.org/exhibitions/crafting-america/?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=1.23.21CraftingAmericaPromo&utm_content=version_A&sourceNumber=36684