JAMES RENWICK ALLIANCE FOR CRAFT

ASHEVILLE & PENLAND AUCTION

8/20/2025

AUGUST 20-24, 2025
ASHEVILLE, NC and PENLAND BENEFIT AUCTION
SAVE THE DATE!

Join JRACraft for an unforgettable arts journey through the landscape of contemporary craft, in and around Asheville, North Carolina, August 20–24, 2025. Highlights include private gallery visits and talks with artists such as Michael Sherrill, Alex Bernstein, Rachel David, and more; a rooftop lunch and tour with Museum Director Pam Myers at the Asheville Art Museum; and an evening gathering at the celebrated Limones restaurant.

The trip continues into the Blue Ridge Mountains with visits to Bakersville galleries and access to all the exciting events of the 40th Annual Benefit Auction Weekend at the Penland School of Craft. Guests will enjoy exclusive receptions, exhibition talks with artists like Vivian Chiu, and access to the Penland Live Auction and artist demonstrations. From studio visits over coffee to mountain-view dinners, this trip is a celebration of creativity, community, and the enduring spirit of craft.

FUNK ART: COUNTERCULTURE IN CERAMICS

7/7/2025

FUNK ART: COUNTERCULTURE IN CERAMICS
4 WEEK ONLINE ZOOM COURSE
JULY 7 - JULY 28
MONDAYS 6:30PM - 7:45pm ET
$109 JRACRAFT MEMBERS | $139 NON-MEMBERS

Over four sessions, this course will dig into the origins of Funk Art, as well as tributaries like Nut Art and trompe l’oeil. The course will also examine Funk’s growing influence as young artists like Woody de Othello and Ruby Neri adapt Funk’s founding principles to suit a new generation.

Funk Art emerged from California’s Bay Area and was introduced to the rest of the world by curator Peter Selz via the 1967 exhibition Funk at the Berkeley Art Museum. In the exhibition catalog, Selz wrote that “Funk art is hot rather than cool; it is committed rather than disengaged; it is bizarre rather than formal; it is sensuous; and frequently it is quite ugly and ungainly.” Many of the artists in the original exhibition, including Peter Voulkos, Joan Brown, and Robert Arneson resisted Selz’ label, but Funk immediately became a phenomenon, inspiring a generation of artists to slather their work with hobby glazes, decals, gold luster, and lowbrow humor.

In celebration of the the 20th Anniversary of its foundation grant program in craft scholarship, the Center for Craft is offering free memberships to anyone who signs up for JRACraft classes.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR: GARTH JOHNSON

Writer, curator, and educator Garth Johnson is the Paul Phillips and Sharon Sullivan Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York. Johnson is a self-described craft activist who explores craft’s influence and relevance in the 21st century. His recent exhibitions at the Everson include Renegades & Reformers: American Art Pottery, Earth Piece: Conceptual and Performative Works in Clay and Key Figures: Representational Ceramics 1932-1972.

register today!

Garth Johnson, photo from www.jasonjacques.com

Gilhooly, David 1943-2013 Everson Museum of Art of Syracuse and Onondaga County, 1990.

thank you to our partner:

CRAFT MUSEUMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

6/4/2025

CRAFT IN THE MUSEUM
4 WEEK ONLINE ZOOM COURSE
JUNE 4 - JUNE 25
WEDNESDAYs 7PM - 8:30pm ET | 4PM - 5:30PM PT
$109 JRACRAFT MEMBERS | $139 NON-MEMBERS

Explore the dynamic interplay between artists, institutions, and curators in shaping the craft field over the last 25 years in this engaging four-week seminar led by Namita Wiggers. Through in-depth analysis of significant craft exhibitions and institutions, the course invites participants to critically examine the evolving roles of curators and institutions in platforming artists, preserving craft legacies, and fostering public discourse. Designed as a collaborative and generative learning environment, the seminar encourages students to actively participate in discussions that challenge traditional narratives, expand perspectives, and reimagine the future of craft in institutional contexts.

In celebration of the the 20th Anniversary of its foundation grant program in craft scholarship, the Center for Craft is offering free memberships to anyone who signs up for JRACraft classes.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR: NAMITA GUPTA WIGGERS

Namita Gupta Wiggers is an educator, writer, curator, and artist based in Portland, OR. Wiggers founded and directed the MA in Critical Craft Studies, Warren Wilson College, the first and only low residency program focused on critical craft histories and theory from 2017 - 2023. She was a Paul J. Smith Fields of the Future Fellow at Bard Graduate Center, NYC in the Fall of 2023, and a Senior Fellow, Smithsonian Institution in the Spring of 2024. Her most recent publications are co-editor of the Journal of Modern Craft Special Issue on the MA in Critical Craft Studies (Vol. 17, Issue 1, 2024) and This is not a Retreat, co-edited with Ben Lignel for The MACR Papers. Wiggers serves on the Board of Trustees at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and began serving as President in the Fall of 2023. She is an editor-at-large for Crafts magazine, and on the Advisory Board of The Journal of Modern Craft.

Wiggers directs and co-founded Critical Craft Forum (since 2008), and served as the Director and Chief Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland OR from 2004 - 2014.

thank you to our partner:

APPALACHIAN CRAFT: THEN AND NOW

6/3/2025

APPALACHIAN CRAFT: THEN AND NOW
6 WEEK ONLINE ZOOM COURSE
JUNE 3 - JULY 8
TUESDAYS 12:30PM - 2pm ET
$149 JRACRAFT MEMBERS | $189 NON-MEMBERS

Appalachian Craft: Then & Now will travel through time back and forth between the past, the present, and the future through photographs, oral histories, images, and stories. Instructor Michael Hatch's multidisciplinary approach to this course is designed to appeal to a variety of student interests including traditional craft, contemporary craft, Appalachia, material studies, historiography, research methodologies, and critical thinking through craft. Classes will include lectures, and discussions based on student questions and suggested readings. Michael has lived and worked as a craft artist and scholar in the Asheville area for nearly thirty years providing him with a unique perspective on the shifting notions of craft in Western North Carolina.

Topics will include:

What is Appalachian Craft?
Cherokee craft
Evolution of Asheville as a center for craft, especially from 1995-2025 and beyond
Black Mountain College and Black Mountain College Museum & Arts Center
Hurricane Helene and its aftermath

In celebration of the the 20th Anniversary of its foundation grant program in craft scholarship, the Center for Craft is offering free memberships to anyone who signs up for JRACraft classes.

meet your instructor: Mike Hatch

Michael Hatch is a maker and a scholar. He has worked with molten glass for over thirty five years, and has run his studio/gallery Crucible Glassworks in the Asheville area since 1998. He received a BA Sociology & Anthropology from Virginia Commonwealth University where he was first introduced to glassworking. He received an MA in Critical Craft Studies from Warren Wilson College, and has since added independent researcher, curator, adjunct professor, and conference organizer, as well as other accolades to his resume. He has presented his grant-funded research through exhibitions, writing, conference presentations, and sound and video projects. His glass work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the country. Mike became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild in 2005 and has served on numerous committees, two terms on the Board of Trustees (with two years as vice-president), and currently manages the organization’s archives when he is not working in his studio.

Michael Hatch

Wade Martin: Wood Carver (SHCG Member) Mountain Figures

thank you to our partner:

HISTORY OF CRAFT IN THE U.S.

6/1/2025

history of craft in the u.s.
6 WEEK ONLINE ZOOM COURSE
JUNE 3 - JULY 8
TUESDAYS 7PM - 8:15PM ET
$109 JRACRAFT MEMBERS | $139 NON-MEMBERS

Explore the rich, multifaceted history of craft in the United States—an ever-evolving story full of complexity and creativity. Lectures will trace themes such as Craft and Tradition, Craft and Activism, Craft in Contemporary Art, and Craft and the Market, following their threads from the past to the present. Class discussions will delve into the tensions, contradictions, and diverse perspectives that shape these histories, sparking fresh insights into the world of craft.

In celebration of the the 20th Anniversary of its foundation grant program in craft scholarship, the Center for Craft is offering free memberships to anyone who signs up for JRACraft classes.

meet your instructor: jennifer scanlan

Jennifer Scanlan is the Executive Director at JRACraft. Prior to joining JRACraft, Jennifer served as the Deputy Director at Craft Alliance in St. Louis, MO, where she made substantial contributions to the organization's growth and outreach efforts. Her career includes pivotal positions such as Curatorial and Exhibitions Director at Oklahoma Contemporary in Oklahoma City, and Associate Curator at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. Jennifer has also worked internationally as an independent curator and consultant on exhibitions, public art projects, and publications.

She has taught courses in Contemporary Craft and Craft History at Courtauld Institute of Art Summer School in London, England, and at Parsons The New School for Design in New York. She has a BA in art history and Italian from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and an MA in the history of decorative arts, design, and culture from the Bard Graduate Center, New York, New York.

REGISTER NOW!

Jennifer Scanlan. Photograph by Erin Baiano

46th Annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival CREATIVITY AND CRISIS: UNFOLDING THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT Program on the National Mall in Washington DC on Sunday afternoon, 8 July 2012 by Elvert Barnes Photography

Stained glass window by John Scott Bradstreet, 1906–8

thank you to our partner:

KRIS RUMMAN ARTIST TALK

5/28/2025

2024 CHRYSALIS AWARDEE ARTIST TALK
WEDNESDAY MAY 28 | 7PM ET
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC | HOSTED ON ZOOM

Join us on Zoom on May 28 for an artist talk with JRACraft's 2024 Chrysalis Awardee in Glass, Kris Rumman! Kris is a Palestinian-American glass artist who creates sculpture, performance, and installations that act as temporary fugitives in search of home. Captivated by compositions of architecture, her work maneuvers mirror and reflection to track, surveil, guide, and comply with its viewers.

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, the birthplace of the Studio Glass Movement, she is currently based in Brooklyn, NY and holds an MFA in Sculpture from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, PA, as well as a BFA from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Kris has shown at many venues including Urban Glass and Art Week Miami. She was the recipient of the Saxe Emerging Artist Award from the Glass Arts Society in 2019, and was most recently awarded a residency at Sculpture Space, where she plans to create an immersive public art installation.

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP

5/17/2025

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP
35th BIENNIAL CREATIVE CRAFTS EXHIBITION
MANSION AT STRATHMORE
10701 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD
SATURDAY MAY 17 | 11AM - 2 PM ET
IN PERSON

Join us for a Meet the Maker member meet up at the 35th Biennial Creative Crafts Exhibition at the Mansion at Strathmore! Don't miss this opportunity to see the exhibition before it closes on May 24th and meet some of the JRACraft artists whose work is featured in this exhibition. JRACraft's artist members will discuss their process and bring examples of their art to illustrate their process. This event will feature:

Kanika Sircar (fiber)
Kevin Hluch (ceramics)
Dominie Nash (fiber)
Rebecca Ravenal (mixed media, ceramics, mosaic)
Joseph Barnard (wood)
Hillary Steel (textiles)

All work is available for sale and the exhibition is free and open to the public.

The Creative Crafts Council is an umbrella organization of fine craft guilds that sponsors a juried biennial exhibition of regional fine craft artists at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland and supports and promotes craft-making across Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The first Biennial Exhibition in 1954 and the next five were held in the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of Natural History. Since then, the Exhibition has been held at museums and galleries throughout the region, and since 1988 it has been held at the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda, Maryland.

TOUR OF CAPITAL ONE ART COLLECTION

5/9/2025

FRIDAY, MAY 9 | 10AM-11:30am
CAPITAL ONE HEADQUARTERS IN MCLEAN, VA
$25 PER PERSON | LIMITED TO 20 GUESTS
RESERVED FOR CAUCUS MEMBERS ONLY

Join us at the Capital One headquarters in McLean, VA for an exclusive tour of the Capital One Art Collection. Learn about their Capital One Art Program which curates the art displayed in the company’s offices across all of North America, and organizes 60 rotating exhibits a year featuring a permanent collection of over 8,300 pieces. At the heart of the program is the belief that "when people are surrounded by creative, innovative and beautiful workspaces, they will produce creative and innovative work."

After the tour, all participants are invited to a "no-host" meal at the nearby restaurant Sisters Thai. It will be an excellent opportunity to spend more time together and discuss the wonderful art we have just seen.

important information

Please bring a government-issued ID to gain entrance.
The building is wheelchair-accessible with elevators.
Those walking for the 90-minute tour will want to wear comfortable shoes.
See the Capital One Center’s Parking & Transportation page for details on parking and Silver Line Metro access. General Parking is $15.00. Parking is in the public garage adjacent to Center 2 just next door (to the right) of Center 3, where the tour begins.

A warm thank you to Sharon Buchanan for chairing this event!

Alice Aycock, Hoop-la (2016-2018), Powder coat aluminum & steel Photo Credit: David Hale

registration

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND: BRUNCH

4/27/2025

SUNDAY, APRIL 27 | 11:30am - 2pm
the tower club at tysons corner
8000 towers crescent drive #1700
tysons, va 22182
$250/PERSON | FREE FOR PATRONS

Step right up and celebrate with fellow craft lovers at a lively brunch to cap off Spring Craft Weekend in grand style!

Enjoy a delicious meal while taking in the wondrous Washington skyline—an inspiring setting for this special gathering. Be captivated by exclusive insights from JRACraft’s Executive Director, Jennifer Scanlan, as she shares an exciting glimpse into the future of our craft community. Hear inspiring stories from those whose careers and lives have been influenced and profoundly impacted by our esteemed Spring Craft Weekend honorees.

It’s a feast for the senses and the perfect way to wrap up a weekend filled with creativity, community, and wonder!

Luncheon attire recommended.

Parking garage instructions: The Tower Club is located at 8000 Towers Crescent Drive on the 17th floor in Vienna, right next to Tysons Corner mall. The building's multi-level garage is located adjacent to the Club building and is marked “Towers Crescent Parking.” The Plaza level of the garage is ground level & weekend event guests must park on this level or higher, as the elevators below are not running on weekends.

From the main lobby of the building, you will take two elevators to reach the Club. The first set will be from the first to the 14th floor, at which point you will switch elevators. You’ll proceed around the corner and take the second set from the 14th to 17th floor.

Are you traveling to join us in DC? Reach out to us at [email protected] to receive information on discounted accommodation options with our travel partners.

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ASHEVILLE & PENLAND AUCTION

FUNK ART: COUNTERCULTURE IN CERAMICS

register today!

CRAFT MUSEUMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

APPALACHIAN CRAFT: THEN AND NOW

HISTORY OF CRAFT IN THE U.S.

REGISTER NOW!

KRIS RUMMAN ARTIST TALK

MEET THE MAKER MEMBER MEET UP

TOUR OF CAPITAL ONE ART COLLECTION

registration

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND: BRUNCH

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