An ongoing exhibition of the Museum’s growing permanent collection of over 3,500 objects, Craft Front & Center features a fresh installation of more than 60 historic works and new acquisitions dating from the golden age of the American Craft movement to the present day. Organized into themes of material transformation, dismantling hierarchies, contemplation, identity, and sustainability, the exhibition illuminates how the expansive field of craft has broadened definitions of art.
Established at the Museum’s beginning in 1956, MAD's permanent collection was the vision of Museum founder, Aileen Osborne Webb, the collector and philanthropist who pioneered an understanding of craft and the handmade as a creative driving force of art and design. With the aim of broadening access to the collection's holdings, Craft Front & Center will be periodically updated with new displays of rarely seen works and recent additions, as well as inspiration for hands-on workshops and off-site field trips.
ARTISTS ON VIEW
Alexandra Agudelo (Colombia, b. 1959)
Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola (US, b. 1991)
Marcus Amerman (Choctaw Nation, b. 1959)
Darren Appiagyei (UK, b. 1993)
Mitsuko Asakura (Japan, b. 1950)
Derek Bencomo (US, b. 1962)
Ruth Clement Bond, (US, 1904–2005)
Jeffrey Brosk (US, b. 1947)
Bisa Butler (US, b. 1973)
Dewey Garrett (US, b. 1947)
Teri Greeves (Kiowa, b. 1970)
Ted Hallman (US, b. 1933)
Jessica Harrison (UK, b. 1982)
Coille McLaughlin Hooven (US, b. 1939)
William Hunter (US, b. 1947)
Diane Itter (US, 1946–1989)
Ferne Jacobs (US, b. 1942)
Ron Kent (US, 1931–2018)
Dan Kvitka (US, b. 1958)
Eleanor Lakelin (UK, b. 1960)
Bud Latven (US, b. 1949)
Robert Longhurst (US, b. 1949)
Charles Loloma (Hopi, 1921–1991)
Tiff Massey (US, b. 1982)
Carolyn Mazloomi (US, b. 1948)
Beau McCall (US, b. 1957)
Anna Mlasowsky (Germany, b. 1984)
Philip Moulthrop (US, b. 1947)
Joo Hyung Park (South Korea, b. unknown)
Grayson Perry (UK, b. 1960)
Michael Peterson (US, b. 1952)
Dylan Poblano (Zuni, b. 1974)
Faith Ringgold (US, b. 1930)
Hap Sakwa (US, b. 1950)
Norm Sartorius (US, b. 1947)
Mike Shuler (US, b. 1950)
Bob Stocksdale (US, 1913–2013)
Del Stubbs (US, b. 1952)
Dennis Sullivan (US, b. unknown)
Toshiko Takaezu (US, 1922–2011)
Nádia Taquary (Brazil, b. 1942)
Lenore Tawney (US, 1907–2007)
Rose Marie Thomas (US, 1902–unknown)
Armarinhos Teixeira (Brazil, b. 1974)
Denise Wallace (Alutiq/Sugpiaq, b. 1957)
Samuel Wallace (US, 1936–2010)
Howard Werner (US, b. 1951)
Sarah Zapata (US, b. 1988)
Craft Front & Center has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Museum of Arts and Design together: Democracy demands wisdom. The exhibition is also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Research was supported by a Craft Research Fund grant from the Center for Craft. Additional support from The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.
Image (from left to right): Ruth Clement Bond (designer) and Rose Marie Thomas (maker), Tennessee Valley Authority Appliqué Quilt Design of Man with Crane, 1934; Sarah Zapata, A little domestic waste IV, 2017; Eleanor Lakelin, Column Vessel I (from “Echoes of Amphora” series), 2022.