The James Renwick Alliance participated in Artomatic 2.0: A Virtual Experience with three online programs and a juried Top 10 Craft Artists in Artomatic to bring further attention to American Craft and Craft artists.

To see videos from each event, read more below.
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For the first time, the James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist Series will have a home online thanks to funding from the Jerome A. and Deena L. Kaplan Family Foundation.

Prior to Deena's passing in May 2019, Deena and Jerry Kaplan were one of very few to be acknowledged with the JRA One-Of-A-Kind Award in 2014 "selected for their dedication and service to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery, the wood art community and the Washington, D.C., area art and craft community including the James Renwick Alliance."

Today, we are pleased to honor her legacy and family with the Deena L. Kaplan Digital Craft Artist Lectures, as a meaningful way to continue their legacy and efforts in the field of American Craft and education. As a part of this grant, the James Renwick Alliance received funds to record all future Distinguished Artist Series lectures, digitize past participants, and hire a dedicated 2020 intern. 

​"Our goal in filming the DAS is that it will not only meaningfully affect the interns, but that others around the country can be impacted by the filmed lectures without being physically present at the events. Can a young female artist watching a lecture on blacksmith Elizabeth Brim be inspired to consider a male-dominated medium or inspire her to think differently about her femininity? Can a video about Tim Harding, an introverted fiber artist with minimal speaking engagements, help a young scholar trace the history of reverse applique quilting techniques to contemporary art? We believe it can" - Jaimianne Jacobin, JRA Director

Due to the shutdowns and various restrictions on gathering, the exhibitions listed below are tentative and may be changed without notice. If planning to visit, please call ahead to verify the events are still open. A small benefit is that many venues have put their shows online and added other objects to their websites which are rarely seen online or in person.

​Penland Online Auction, August 1-8
Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC, www.penland.org  

Our esteemed jurors selected the top 10 best craft to see at Artomatic 2.0! (Listed in no particular order)

Thank you to our jurors:
- Interior designer and collector, Judy Weisman
- Artist and past Artomatic awardee, Rania Hassan
- Collector and past JRA president, Clemmer Montague
- Collectors Sandy and Norman Michell
​- Collector, photographer and arts consultant, Leslie Lane
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And a special thank you to our Artomatic chair, Interior Designer Mallory Lawson, A.S.I.D.!

The James Renwick Alliance has partnered with Artomatic since 2009 to present some of the top craft from the DC region. This year, in honor of their 20th anniversary, we are delighted to be a proud sponsor of Artomatic 2.0, the first virtual event. Artomatic is a local arts event exhibiting visual and performing artists in vacant spaces around Washington DC.

Rhoda Baer is a kiln-forming artist and established photographer based in Washington DC. Be on the look out for her upcoming solo exhibition at American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center. www.rhodabaerglass.com

Laurel Lukaszewski is a DC-based ceramic artist, known for her intricate installations and sculptures. You may be surpised to know, the exemplinary piece pictured here measures 7 ft in height.
​www.laurellukaszewski.com

Michael Janis, well known glass artist and co-director of the Washington Glass School, creates these detailed figurative works out of fine glass frit. ​www.michaeljanis.com

The James Renwick Alliance announces today their support for the Northwest Designer Craftsman documentary about the life and accomplishments of Lloyd Herman, founding Director of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Art Museum. The film is part of the Living Treasures Project series, documenting pioneers of the contemporary craft movement.
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Due to the shutdowns and various restrictions on gathering, the exhibitions listed below are tentative and may be changed without notice. If planning to visit, please call ahead to verify the events are still open. A small benefit is that many venues have put their shows online and added other objects to their websites which are rarely seen online or in person.

Watershed Salad Days Online, July 11
Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, ME, www.watershedceramics.org
 
Seagrove Summer Pottery Tour, July 11,12
Seagrove, NC, www.discoverseagrove.com
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