Blog Posts

MEMBER MEET-UP: PHILADELPHIA CRAFT SHOW

11/7/2025

MEMBER MEET UP
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART CRAFT SHOW
CONVENTION CENTER, 12TH & ARCH STREETS
PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19107

NOVEMBER 7, 2025 | 1PM-2PM ET
JRACRAFT MEMBERS MAY BRING A GUEST
FREE (REGISTRATION ENCOURAGED)

Browse the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show with fellow JRACraft members and enjoy refreshments and conversation at the JRACraft table in the convention center!

Now in its 49th year, the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show features unique, one-of-a-kind works by artists from across the United States. The 2025 Show will welcome a total of 195 talented artists representing 13 diverse categories of craft and design. Over the past 48 years, the Craft Show has contributed more than $15 million to the museum for the support a variety of programs, exhibitions, publications and acquisitions.

Organized in conjunction with JRACraft's Philadelphia trip. Trip registration is hosted separately from meet-up registration, members who do not wish to join the entire trip may attend just the meet-up portion at the craft show for free.

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JRACraft member Debra Adelson exhibiting at the 2024 Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show

Philadelphia Museum of Art, beneficiary of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show

CRAFTING WITH NEURODIVERSE PERSPECTIVES

10/30/2025

coffee & conversation:
CRAFTING WITH NEURODIVERSE PERSPECTIVES
November (date tbd) | 1PM ET
hosted on zoom
free and open to the public

JRACraft is excited to partner with CERF+ on a webinar that will explore the experiences of neurodivergent artists and how their perspectives shape creative practices, collaborations, and the craft community at large.

This webinar will explore the experiences of neurodivergent artists and how their perspectives shape creative practices, collaborations, and the craft community at large. Through personal stories and reflections, panelists will discuss how neurodiversity influences their artistic processes, materials, and approaches to making.

Participants will gain insight into:

How artists define and experience neurodiversity in their lives and work
The ways neurodivergence informs creative choices and outcomes in craft
What peers, collaborators, and institutions can do to better support and partner with neurodivergent artists
How the craft field can more fully celebrate and include neurodiverse voices

By centering the voices of neurodivergent makers, this session will deepen awareness and foster a more inclusive understanding of craft as a space where diverse ways of thinking and creating can thrive.

SHAE BISHOP

10/21/2025

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST SERIES WITH SHAE BISHOP
online ARTIST TALK AND in-person DEMONSTRATION
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21 & SATURDAY OCTOBER 25, 2025

JRACraft is excited to partner with District Clay Center to present artist Shae Bishop, for the first program in this season's Distinguished Artist Series.

Register below to join us for a virtual artist talk on Tuesday, October 21, where Bishop will discuss his career and influences. Later that week on Saturday October 25, meet Bishop at the District Clay Center for a live demonstration to discover the techniques and process behind his intricate ceramic works.

Thank you to Diane Charnov for her generous support of this Distinguished Artist Series with Shae Bishop.

About Shae Bishop

Shae Bishop grew up in Kentucky and earned his BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in Ceramics and Art History. His studio practice explores the relationships between ceramics, textiles, and the body. He makes mixed-media garments which he wears and documents in specific environments.

Bishop was based in North Carolina, where he co-founded treats Studios in Spruce Pine and exhibited at the Penland Gallery. He has been a resident artist in the Kohler Arts/Industry program and at the Archie Bray Foundation and has been a visiting artist at the University of Wisconsin, San Diego State University, and elsewhere. He has also done residencies and shown work internationally in Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Indonesia, and Japan.

Bishop currently lives in Richmond, Virginia, where he shares a home with his partner Annie Evelyn, two dogs, and a snake.

ARTIST TALK (ONLINE ONLY)

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | Time 3pm ET
Free and open to the public | Hosted on Zoom

IN-PERSON DEMONSTRATION

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 10am - 12pm
Hosted at Distict Clay Center |2414 Douglas Street NE
Washington, DC 20018

Meet Shae Bishop and watch him demonstrate his techniques!

$25 Members of JRACraft
$35 Non-members

Federal employees who have been furloughed due to the October 1, 2025 government shutdown may register for the demonstration free of charge. To take advantage of this offer, please enter coupon code FED25 after adding the Shae Bishop Demonstration to your registration.

REGISTRATION FOR SHAE BISHOP'S PROGRAM HAS CLOSED.

Shae Bishop

Waistcoat of Earthly Delights

thank you to our partner:

new! program sponsorship

This year, we have lowered ticket prices with the introduction of program sponsors. See the ways you can help make excellence in craft accessible to a wider audience, by becoming a Distinguished Artist Series Sponsor!

BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY!

STUDIO VISIT MEMBER MEET-UP

10/5/2025

MEMBER MEET-UP
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH, 2025 | 10AM-12:30PM
JUDITH GOODMAN & ELAINE ROBNETT Moore
STUDIO VISITS
Silver Spring and CHEVY CHASE, MD
register now - spots limited

Join JRACraft members for two-part studio visit in Silver Spring and Chevy Chase, MD! At 10am, the first hour-long studio visit will feature Elaine Robnett Moore. After Elaine's studio visit, the member meet-up continues to visit the studio of Judith Goodman from 11:30am-12:30pm. All attendees are invited to join a no-host lunch after the second studio tour. Studio addresses will be shared to registrants after registration is submitted.

Elaine Robnett Moore will showcase her family's legacy of creativity through a tour of her Ancestors Wall as well as her Wall of Beads. She will discuss a few of her featured works and tell the stories behind each piece, answer questions, and offer a live demo of her techniques.

Judith Goodman's studio visit will begin in her home and then proceed to her sculpture studio in the garden behind her home to see both finished work and work in progress. During the studio visit, members will hear about her process and how she uses pieces from her collection of diverse items in her work.

Elaine robnett moore

Elaine Robnett Moore is a fifth-generation artist and award-winning jewelry designer/maker, descended from Alexander Dumas, renowned for her bold, contemporary approach to design. Fusing tradition and storytelling with innovation, she creates bold, elegant pieces using unconventional materials and masterful beadwork. Her work has been exhibited globally—from North America, the Caribbean, and Europe to Africa and Asia. A Fulbright Specialist and author of The Art of Bead Stringing: Artist to Entrepreneur, Elaine is also a master teacher on faculty at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus in Maryland, and a former president of The Bead Society of Greater Washington. Her jewelry celebrates heritage, creativity, and the transformative power of adornment.

JUDITH GOODMAN

After many years as a commercial and fine art photographer, Judith became interested in making sculpture as a way to move her images into three dimensions. From there the natural progression involved finding beauty and intensity in objects beyond their original purpose. The work is emotionally, rather than intellectually, inspired. Much of it has been influenced by recent wars and degradation of the climate. The assemblages are fragmented narratives illustrating the frailty of recollection. They are incongruous: mixing scale, texture, natural and manmade elements that have exceeded their useful life and progressed to another state.

Elaine Robnett Moore

Elaine Robnett Moore, Michelle Obama

Judith Goodman

Judith Goodman's studio

Judith Goodman, Inviting Extinction

ASHEVILLE & PENLAND AUCTION

8/20/2025

ASHEVILLE & PENLAND AUCTION
AUGUST 20 - 24, 2025
$950 MEMBERS| $1150 NONMEMBERS
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Join JRACraft for an unforgettable summer journey through the vibrant craft scene of Western North Carolina. This exclusive trip combines the best of Asheville’s art galleries and museums with the festive atmosphere of the Penland School of Craft’s Annual Benefit Auction. Meet celebrated artists, experience private tours, and enjoy lively receptions and group dinners—all while soaking in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early.

After the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina, the region’s vibrant craft communities and tourist economy continue to recover. Like so many in the craft world, JRACraft was heartbroken to witness the damage and disruption experienced by artists, galleries, and institutions in the area. In response, we created this special trip not only to experience the extraordinary talent concentrated in Asheville and Penland, but also to give back.

Anchored around the renowned Penland Benefit Auction, the trip highlights key institutions and makers across the region. We've also worked to keep costs down on our end, so that more of your travel dollars can directly support the art, artists, and cultural spaces you'll encounter. Whether you're a collector, craft enthusiast, or curious traveler, we invite you to join us in celebrating and sustaining this extraordinary creative community.

Your trip fee includes all scheduled programming, including two group dinners and a weekend pass to the Penland Auction and related festivities. Participants are responsible for travel to/from Asheville, hotel accommodations, breakfasts, lunches, and transportation between towns (noted in blue on the schedule). We’re happy to help coordinate carpools and recommend lodging—see below for more details.

trip itinerary

Wednesday, August 20 – Welcome to Asheville
Begin your journey with an optional full-day visit to the Qualla Boundary, homeland of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Stops include the Museum of the Cherokee People and Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual.

That evening, we will gather with the full group and some special guests for a welcome reception at the Center for Craft in Asheville.

Thursday, August 21 – Galleries and Museums of Asheville
Spend the day exploring Asheville’s dynamic art scene. Begin with a visit to Blue Spiral 1 Gallery, where artists such as Michael Sherrill and Alex Bernstein will share insights into their work. Then, enjoy a private tour of the Asheville Art Museum led by the Director. After lunch on your own, head to Momentum Gallery for conversations with notable artists including Rachel David, Lisa Clague, and the duo Littleton and Vogel.

Conclude the day with a festive group dinner at the celebrated Limones Restaurant.

Friday, August 22 – From Asheville to Penland
Travel to the heart of craft country with stops in Bakersville and Spruce Pine. In the morning, visit Tandem and Micah Galleries, known for showcasing exceptional contemporary work. After lunch, arrive at Penland School of Craft for an afternoon of exhibitions, artist talks, and a pop-up show featuring the Core Fellows.

The day ends with Celebrate the Artists—a festive cocktail reception and silent auction that brings together makers, collectors, and craft lovers.

Saturday, August 23 – A Day at Penland
Spend the day immersed in all that Penland has to offer during their annual Auction weekend. Start your morning with coffee and conversation in the studios of the school’s resident artists. In the afternoon, enjoy craft demonstrations, gallery browsing, and a seated lunch and live auction at a table especially reserved for trip participants.

Close the day with a memorable group dinner at the scenic Inn at Little Switzerland.

Sunday, August 24 – Farewell
Depart at your leisure after a rich weekend filled with art, connection, and inspiration.

download full Trip itinerary with times

travel & lodging

Participants should plan to stay in Asheville on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and near Penland (Spruce Pine, Little Switzerland) on Friday and Saturday. We encourage early hotel booking and have reserved a limited number of rooms at the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel in Spruce Pine—please contact us for details. If you need help coordinating transportation, we are happy to connect you with other attendees.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
All cancellations must be made in writing to the James Renwick Alliance at [email protected] on or before June 30, 2025. Refunds, less the cancellation fee of $50 and the non-refundable JRA contribution of $200, are made if your notification is received before this date. No refunds will be made after this date except in the case of a medical emergency.

RESPONSIBILITY
Neither the James Renwick Alliance or any of the participating partners accepts liability for any expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for the tour. We require that all participants be in good health. If you have a medical condition needing special medical attention, you must report it when filling out your application form by sending an email to [email protected]. We retain the right to refuse any applicant whose health, in our sole judgment, would negatively affect their full participation in the trip. Regardless of your health condition, we strongly recommend that if your current insurance does not cover medical costs while you are traveling, you insure yourself for the costs of medical care including, but not limited to: medical evacuation, baggage damage or loss, accident, and sickness. While we take every precaution, neither the participating partners, nor the James Renwick Alliance shall be responsible or liable for any loss, death, injury, illness or damage to or loss of property suffered or incurred by any person in connection with this trip.

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

Wild, weird, and wonderfully subversive—Funk Art upended the art world in the 1960s with irreverent ceramics, lowbrow humor, and countercultural flair. In this four-week online course, curator Garth Johnson traces Funk’s rise amidst the political unrest and cultural upheaval of the Bay Area, its influence on the broader art world and its resurrection in the hands of a bold new generation. Meet the makers, movements, and mischief behind one of the most rule-breaking chapters in American art.

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.

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

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

Discover the true story of craft in Appalachia in this six-week online course led by artist-scholar Michael Hatch. Through guest speakers, oral histories, and enriching presentations, explore the complex ways in which craft has been a part of Appalachian identity, and how makers past and present have defined the region on their own terms. Encompassing Cherokee artists, Black potters, and studio craft pioneers, this is a rich, nuanced look at a vibrant cultural legacy.

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.

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

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.

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

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:

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MEMBER MEET-UP: PHILADELPHIA CRAFT SHOW

CRAFTING WITH NEURODIVERSE PERSPECTIVES

SHAE BISHOP

STUDIO VISIT MEMBER MEET-UP

ASHEVILLE & PENLAND AUCTION

FUNK ART: COUNTERCULTURE IN CERAMICS

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

CRAFT MUSEUMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

APPALACHIAN CRAFT: THEN AND NOW

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

HISTORY OF CRAFT IN THE U.S.

Registration for the live course has closed. interested in taking this course asynchronously? contact [email protected]

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