Blog Posts

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:

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.

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND: GALA

4/26/2025

SATURDAY, april 26 | 6:30PM - 9:30pm
sax dinner theatre and lounge
734 11th st nw washington, dc 20001
$450/PERSON | FREE FOR PATRONS

Come one! Come all! for an unforgettable evening at our Carnival of Wonders! The air will be buzzing with excitement as you prepare to immerse yourself in a world of death-defying feats, delectable treats, and a magical atmosphere.

Our honorees and awardees will be on full display--here is your chance to meet them, greet them, and applaud them! Enjoy dinner and an awards ceremony for our four honorees.

But wait—there’s more! Our dazzling Ringmaster will guide you through an Auction of Experiences, where you can take home one-of-a-kind adventures from here, there, and everywhere. So, come for the thrills, stay for the magic, and leave with memories that’ll have you smiling for days!

Self-pay valet parking, street meters, and parking garages are all available. Use Metro Center stop on the red, orange, and blue lines. Carnival-inspired, colorful chic attire recommended!

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.

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND: SYMPOSIUM

4/26/2025

HONOREE Symposium
Saturday, APRIL 26| 10am - 12:30pm | In person
SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM
8th and G Streets, NW, Washington DC 20004
Free and open to the public

Join us as we celebrate this year’s Master of the Medium award honorees—Four visionary artists who have shaped contemporary craft. Hear dazzling presentations from each of them as they discuss their careers and creative process. Guiding this experience is JRACraft Board President Rebecca Ravenal, who will lead a roundtable discussion with our honorees followed by an opportunity for questions from the audience.

Casual attire. Limited on-street parking at meters; several paid parking garages are available in the neighborhood. Since the Symposium starts before SAAM opens to the public, you must enter on G Street to access McEvoy Auditorium. A JRACraft staff member will be there to greet you.

HONOREE SPEAKERS

MIchael lucero (ceramics)

For 45 years, Michael Lucero has been creating dynamic, surrealist works that comment on the broad history of ceramics while pushing that medium beyond its perceived limitations. With a career that has redefined ceramic art, Lucero continues to inspire and provoke.

xenobia bailey (FIBER)

Xenobia Bailey is a cultural activist and visionary artist renowned for her kaleidoscopic crochet mandalas and hats, which draw inspiration from ancient African aesthetics and the ethos of funk. Bailey’s practice reclaims erased cultural histories while envisioning a sustainable, nature-inspired future.

norm sartorius (WOOD)

Renowned for his exquisite hand-carved spoons, Norm Sartorius has spent over 30 years transforming the humble wooden spoon into an art form. Working with rare and exceptional woods, he creates sculptural pieces that blend natural forms, abstract designs, and rich textures. Sartorius draws inspiration from spoon-making traditions across the world, as well as the inherent beauty of his materials. Each spoon he creates is a unique dialogue between the artist and the wood, celebrating the interplay of color, form, and texture.

lola brooks (METAL/JEWELRY)

Lola Brooks is a metalsmith whose work explores the rich symbolism of jewelry as a cultural artifact. With training at Pratt Institute and SUNY New Paltz, where she studied under Jamie Bennett and Myra Mimlitsch-Gray, Brooks combines traditional craft with contemporary innovation. Her pieces challenge conventional notions of value by juxtaposing stainless steel with gold, transforming sentimental motifs into profound artistic statements.

Top left to right: Michael Lucero, Xenobia Bailey, Norm Sartorius, Lola Brooks.

registration

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND: CAUCUS & PATRON DAY

4/25/2025

PLEASE NOTE THE UPDATED START TIME OF 12PM

FRIDAY, April 25 | 12Pm - 2:30pm
woodmont country club
1201 rockville pike,
rockville, md 20852
$275/PERSON | FREE FOR PATRONS

exclusive event FOR CAUCUS MEMBERS AND SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND PATRONS

Step right up, visionaries and dreamers! Prepare to be dazzled as we peer into the looking glass of time and unravel The Future of Craft – 10 Years Ahead.

In this thrilling forum, our panel of ‘futurists’—a daring gallerist, Leslie Ferrin, a boundary-pushing artist educator, Shane Prada, and a curator with an eye on the horizon, Marilyn Zapf—will conjure their most compelling insights into the transformation of craft. Will technology weave its way deeper into handmade traditions? Will cultural shifts reshape what we cherish and collect? Will the extraordinary become the everyday?

From the whimsical to the profound, expect a lively discussion brimming with bold ideas and electrifying predictions. This is your chance to witness the unfolding of craft’s destiny—a place where innovation meets imagination, and the impossible becomes reality!

Valet parking and parking lot available. Luncheon attire recommended.

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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