Experience American craft like never before during this in-person open house at SAAM’s Renwick Gallery. Be one of the first to see the newest exhibition, This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, which activates both floors of gallery space with artworks that honor the history of studio craft while also introducing progressive contemporary narratives. 

Featuring artists like Bisa Butler, Sonya Clark, Sharon Kerry-Harlan, Preston Singletary, and Wanxin Zhang, this exhibition highlights the role that artists play in our world to spark essential conversations, stories of resilience, and methods of activism —showing us a more relational and empathetic world. 

Join Nora Atkinson, the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, and Mary Savig, the Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, for special gallery talks about the exhibition and the history of the Renwick Gallery, as the nation's preeminent center for the enjoyment of American craft. Discover more than 100 new artworks, never before seen at the Renwick Gallery, including several purchased by the James Renwick Alliance for Craft.

Gallery Talk Schedule:
11 a.m. Tour with Mary Savig 
1:30 p.m. Tour with Nora Atkinson 

​​Learn all Houston has to offer with its cultural institutions, public art and more. Visit the premier Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; tour local artist studios; and have exclusive access to the region's top private craft collections.

Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Not included: transportation to and from Houston, lodging, some meals

Cancellation policy: All trips are subject to cancellation or rescheduling at JRACraft's discretion based on local or national conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. If a trip is cancelled or rescheduled, all participants will be notified promptly and offered the choice of a full refund of the trip cost or the opportunity to participate on the new dates (if the trip is rescheduled).​

Monday, May 2, 2022                              

11:00am Collector’s visit
12:00pm Lunch, La Griglia
1:30pm Studio visit with Edward McCartney (Metal smithing/ jewelry)
2:30pm Studio visit with Tracye Wear (Ceramics/Vessels)
3:30pm Studio visit with Anna Mavromatis (Paper)
6:30pm Dinner at Bludorn Restaurant

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

10:00am  Tour Houston Center for Contemporary Craft with Perry Price, executive director, and Curator Kathryn Hall
11:30am Lunch at Hugo’s
1:15pm Collector’s visit
2:30pm Collector’s visit
6:00pm Dinner—Lucille’s
 

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

10:45am Walk to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)
11:00am Tour of craft galleries and collection in the Kinder Building, MFAH, with Cindi Strauss, Curator of Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm Finish tour of Kinder Building
3:00pm Tour of jewelry exhibition in the Beck Building, MFAH, with Christine Gervais and Fredricka Crain, Director, and Rienzi Curator of Decorative Arts
4:00pm Explore museum collections, other exhibitions and gift store on your own, then walk back to the hotel
6:00pm Dinner

Thursday, May 5, 2022
11:30am Crafting a Legacy Spring Luncheon special event hosted by the Houston Center for Craft with lunch, program and an auction. 
1:30pm Guests arrive back at hotel for departures​

​TERMS & CONDITIONS

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS
All cancellations must be made in writing to the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org. Refunds, less the cancellation fee of $50 and the non-refundable JRA contribution of $170, are made if your notification is received at least one month in advance. 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 admin@jra.org. 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.

​Join fellow JRACraft members at the Smithsonian Craft Show and receive discounted tickets!

The Smithsonian Women’s Committee produces the Smithsonian Craft Show to celebrate the best in American craft and design. Show proceeds fund projects of Smithsonian museums, galleries, research facilities, and the National Zoo. For this year, the focus is on the future: the enduring excellence and innovative approaches shaping the future of craft.

Master wood artists David Ellsworth (2009 JRACraft Master of the Medium) and Michael Hurwitz (2019 JRACraft Master of the Medium) will receive the prestigious Smithsonian Visionary Award. Also being honored are ceramicists Steven Young Lee and Roberto Lugo as Delphi awardees, a new award recognizing outstanding mid-career artists. The show will feature a special display of the artists’ work, and an opportunity to hear from them at a panel discussion April 21 at 1pm.

|NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS|
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This year, in honor of the 40th anniversary of JRACraft and the 25th anniversary of the Center for Craft, we combine our most well-known programs for one celebratory season. Four JRACraft Distinguished Artist Series returning encore artists will be paired with four emerging artists recognized by the Center for Craft's Windgate-Lamar Fellowship to present a collaborative weekend exploring commonality and materiality. Each weekend will be hosted online and include a virtual Saturday demonstration/studio visit and free Sunday lecture.

ARTIST DEMONSTRATION / STUDIO VISIT
Saturday, April 9 | 1 - 2:30pm
Virtual Zoom event
$25 members | $30 non-members
$85 for all 4 workshops, members only

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Sunday, April 10 | 2 - 3pm
Virtual Zoom event

JOSH SIMPSON
Josh Simpson has been an independent glassblower since 1971. From his studio in the hills of western Massachusetts, Josh Simpson has been fascinated with glass for more than 45 years. An artist whose work has been shown in group and solo exhibitions around the world, his name is synonymous with the beautifully crafted planets he produces. Simpson’s work and color palette are inspired by the sky and its many permutations throughout the day, including his fortuitous chance encounters with the aurora borealis as he adjusts his furnace at odd hours of the night. His work is in the collection of The Corning Museum of Glass and the White House Collection of Crafts.

GEOFFREY BOWTON
Augmenting his previous career methods of metal fabrication and military service, Geoffrey R. Bowton informs his current studio practice by applying the investigation and illustration of his ideas in glass. Combined with the fragility of glass, he creates work that embraces tension between these contradictory materials and multi-faceted experiences—to promote conversation about identity, trauma, damage, repair, and healing. These skills, combined with creative mold making and Pate de Verre casting, transform materials into a visual landscape of the soldier’s life. Geoffrey utilizes mixed media and the power of craft to provide insight, support, and representation of the military-veteran community.
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​Artist studios, galleries and collectors' homes fill this trip to Durham and Raleigh, NC. Visits include the home and studio of ceramic artist Eric Serritella and other private collections, as well as a downtown gallery tour.

Questions about this trip can be sent to info@jra.org

Included: Lodging, transportation around Durham, some meals
Not included: Transportation to and from Durham, all breakfasts
Walking of 5+ blocks at a time may be required.  

Cancellation policy: All trips are subject to cancellation or rescheduling at JRACraft's discretion based on local or national conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. If a trip is cancelled or rescheduled, all participants will be notified promptly and offered the choice of a full refund of the trip cost or the opportunity to participate on the new dates (if the trip is rescheduled).​

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30: 
Arrival at 21c Museum Hotel

THURSDAY, MARCH 31: 
9:00 am: Walk to Barbara Lee Smith’s home and studio for a chance to see her mixed media wall pieces. Then she will take us on a brief walk around the unique American Tobacco Campus. 
10:45 am: Bus to Theresa Arico’s studio to see her mosaic sculpture and furniture. 
12:00 pm: Enjoy Barbara McFadyen’s home and studio for lunch and a tour of her jewelry studio. 
2:00 pm: Visit the studio of Judith Ernst, where she will show you how she does her clay vessels.
3:00 pm: Bus to Frank Gallery, a contemporary fine arts gallery, with a variety of mediums. 
4:15 pm: Dine at Eric Serritella’s home and studio, where we will see his trompe l’oeil sculptures and new work in glass. Wine and supper to follow.
7:00 pm: Bus back to hotel 

FRIDAY, APRIL 1: 
9:30 am: Private tour of the 21c Museum Hotel art collection by Nell Fortune-Greeley; meet by couch in second floor lobby. 
10:15 am: Walk over to PS118 Gallery, for a ceramic and painting exhibit. 
10:45 am: Walk to the Durham Arts Council for Bryant Holsenbeck’s slide show of her environmental art installations. Also see her animal sculptures made from discarded materials. 
12:00 pm: Visit the Nasher Museum of Art, where we will have lunch in their Cafe. 
1:45 pm: Experience Steven Burke and Randy Campbell’s home, with its collection of about 1200 miniature American Folk Art buildings. 
3:00 pm: Visit to Cedar Creek Gallery, an award- winning craft gallery. This is the first day of their Annual Spring Pottery and Glass Festival.
4:30 pm: Bus back to hotel, dinner on your own – suggestions available 

SATURDAY, APRIL 2: 
9:30 am: Tour the home and studio of Madonna Phillips and see her mixed media, glass wall pieces. 
11:00 am: Discover Artspace, which was modeled after the Torpedo Factory, for a chance to see 3 galleries and a variety of studios.
12:00 pm: Walk to Transfer Co. Food Hall for lunch. 
1:00 pm: Stop by the Pullen Art Center, where they have several pieces by fiber artist and trip organizer, Sharron Parker, on display 
2:00 pm: Visit the North Carolina Museum of Art. Here, Patrick Dougherty will join us to talk about his large wall sculpture. Then choose among other exhibits, such as Beth Lipman’s Bride piece, Judaic Art, African Contemporary Art, outdoor sculpture, etc. Note: the museum has a coffee and snack, plus gift shop, available. 
3:30 pm: Journey to the private collection of JRACraft members Mina L. Levine and Ronald Schwarz, for a tour of their varied collection, including pottery and glass.
4:30 pm: Bus back to the hotel 
5:30 pm: Supper at Mothers and Sons Trattoria

​

This year, in honor of the 40th anniversary of JRACraft and the 25th anniversary of the Center for Craft, we combine our most well-known programs for one celebratory season. Four JRACraft Distinguished Artist Series returning encore artists will be paired with four emerging artists recognized by the Center for Craft's Windgate-Lamar Fellowship to present a collaborative weekend exploring commonality and materiality. Each weekend will be hosted online and include a virtual Saturday demonstration/studio visit and free Sunday lecture.
​
​ARTIST DEMONSTRATION / STUDIO VISIT
Saturday, March 26 | 1 - 2:30pm
Virtual Zoom event
$25 members | $30 non-members
$85 for all 4 workshops, members only

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Sunday, March 27 | 2 - 3pm
Virtual Zoom event

MICHAEL PURYEAR
Michael Puryear is a nationally recognized designer and furniture maker. He is self-taught, learning his craft through reading and experimentation, and has been practicing for more than 40 years. Puryear’s attraction to furniture arose from an early awareness and appreciation of the clarity and directness of Shaker and Scandinavian design. He approaches furniture design from a problem solving- perspective; how the human body interfaces with the object, moves around it, uses it, and how it looks - is all considered. Puryear’s work is found in the collections of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Rockefeller University Collection, The Newark Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.

NATHANIEL ATKINSON 
​Nathaniel Atkinson is a recent graduate of Alfred University’s School of Art and Design and a 2020 Center for Craft Windgate-Lamar Fellow. 

Atkinson uses materials derived from landscapes in which he immerses himself, and works with local boat-builders who create historically and regionally accurate watercraft. He studies the spaces that foster development of the watercraft, teasing out the relationship between place and identity.

Mary Savig, Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, leads us through New Glass Now at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery.

New Glass Now was organized by The Corning Museum of Glass to highlight work that best represented a diverse approach to glass today.  In 2018, it issued an open call for submissions to artists and designers from around the world, asking for works made in the previous three years. Anyone working in glass could apply, from novice hobbyists to the most famous artists, and all were given equal consideration. More than 1,400 individuals, collaborators, and companies submitted nearly 4,000 images of work.  A panel of thinkers, makers, and writers reviewed and chose 100 artworks that best represented glass today.

New Glass Now is the third iteration of a groundbreaking exhibition series. The two prior exhibitions, Glass 1959 and New Glass: A Worldwide Survey in 1979, catalyzed major changes in the glass field. The Renwick Gallery hosted New Glass: A Worldwide Survey in 1980. Today, as the Renwick continues to keep with the pulse of contemporary glass in the United States, New Glass Now once again highlights the dynamic, global field as it is today.

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Proof of vaccination will be required.
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