American Arts & Crafts Spotlighted at National Conference - TribPapers
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American Arts & Crafts Spotlighted at National Conference

An educational display of Peters & Reed Pottery by the American Art Pottery Association. Photo courtesy of the Arts & Crafts Conference.

Asheville – Once again the public will have the opportunity to see and enjoy the beauty of the American Arts & Crafts Movement from February 16th – 18th at the conference show held at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville. For 37 years Director Emeritus, founder, and renowned author Bruce Johnson with the help of Director Kate Nixon, has put together an incredible collection of dealers, speakers and educators who display their authentic antiques and accurate reproductions from this truly American stylistic period. Year after year, this show brings guests to Asheville from all over the United States, who get a special rate at the hotel, while they participate in this awe-inspiring show.

This is an education conference, which includes three separate shows: The Antiques Show, the Contemporary Craftsfirms Show and the Books, Magazines & More Show. People come to the conference not just to buy but to learn and enjoy themselves.

For 37 years Bruce Johnson with the help of Kate Nixon have put together a remarkable conference on the Arts & Crafts Movement in the United States. Photo courtesy of the Arts & Crafts Conference.
For 37 years Bruce Johnson with the help of Kate Nixon have put together a remarkable conference on the Arts & Crafts Movement in the United States. Photo courtesy of the Arts & Crafts Conference.

Throughout the weekend, there are kickoff parties, receptions, and fun events for all to attend. There is so much to choose from—so many fascinating exhibits, demonstrations, tours, workshops, and educational seminars—that one really needs to plan ahead to be sure not to miss a favorite. As Bruce Johnson says, “In just three days, you will see more, do more, and learn more about the American Arts and Crafts movement than you could anywhere else in an entire year.” It is a dazzling show well worth attending.

There are a number of pre-conference workshops which offer individuals a chance to make something for themselves. On Thursday, February 15th, Gay Bryant, a John C. Campbell Folk School teacher, is offering a White Line Printmaking class from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. That afternoon and the next morning, Frank Glapa will lead a two part Coppersmithing workshop.

A number of educational seminars are held. A few to mention are ceramics expert and Antiques Roadshow appraiser David Rago speaking on Hist-Ohr-y: The Last Chapter of George Ohr, and a New Beginning; Bruce Johnson on his latest book, Homespun Heroines: Eleanor Vance, Charlotte Yale, and the Biltmore Industries Legacy; Andrea Morgan, Director of Collections at The Museum of the American, Arts & Crafts Movement on Masterpieces of Simple Design: The Furniture of the Two Red Roses Collection.

The Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County will participate by holding a home tour in the Montford neighborhood. Four homes will be open on Saturday and Sunday afternoon for a fee of $50.00. Buses leave the hotel to take those interested to the Montford area.

The Arts & Crafts Movement

The Arts and Crafts Movement burst onto the American scene in 1901, pushing aside fussy Victorian morals, manners and furnishings. It replaced towering mansions with modest bungalows, and fragile furniture with solid oak chairs and leather upholstery. Craftsman homes are typically built of real wood, stone and brick. Led by reformers such as English designer William Morris and architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Arts and Crafts movement sent ripples across America. Young people then sought out affordable, comfortable and durable bungalows. Alongside it they opted for hand-hammered copper rather than Tiffany silver, local pottery rather than imported porcelain, and hand-embroidered curtains rather than dark, heavy draperies. Colored stained glass in windows and doors became commonplace.

The American Arts & Crafts Movement advocated for fine and beautiful workmanship to replace industrial labor. The Arts & Crafts Movement emerged from mid century’s Britain’s rebellion against the age of mass production. William Morris insisted that objects in a person’s home needed to be useful to everyday life; Gustave Stickley believed that mass-produced furniture was poorly constructed and too complicated in design. His “mission” furniture had simple lines, using quality material. Pottery, tiles, needlecraft, jewelry, art work, and metalwork were all part of the movement, which emphasized the inherent beauty of the material. The period has a style all unto itself with easily recognizable colors—the matte green on ceramics—furniture with many straights lines, pegged joints and usually made of a hardwood—and natural materials. The Tiffany lamp is a familiar object of the period. Designs were affordable and beautiful.

Opening Day for this remarkable conference is Friday, February 16th at 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, with a $10.00 general admission, $5.00 for students and veterans, which is valid for all three days, Saturday 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm and Sunday the 18th, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information on exhibitors and activities, go to https://arts-craftsconference.com. or call (828) 628-1915.