Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is pleased to announce six new members have joined its board of directors: Dale Cover, John Guess, Duane Kelley, Maggie McKay, José Solís, and Sandie Zilker.

All six incoming members are already advocates for the Center and have been participating directly in HCCC's programming and community—in some cases, for years. They are joining the board after a year of measurable growth and have immediately gotten to work in support of HCCC's recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl.

Their recruitment also coincides with the start of the organization’s engagement with the consulting firm Trepwise to design a strategic plan by year’s end and build on the reputation for excellence HCCC has developed in contemporary craft. HCCC Executive Director Leila Cartier commented, “When reading the resumes and looking around the room at the rest of the HCCC Board, there is absolutely no doubt that together we will realize our ambitions for the future.”

To read the full press release, visit>>https://crafthouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PRESS-RELEASE-HCCC-ANNOUNCES-NEW-BOARD-MEMBERS-2024-2025-updated.pdf

**Register now for our Handbroom Workshop! Sessions on 10/11 and 10/12**

This October, embrace the spirit of the season by diving into the craft of traditional broom making. The workshop will start in the HCCC Craft Garden, where we will harvest the broomcorn–a durable and flexible sorghum grass–that is cultivated onsite. Then, with the expert guidance of former resident artist Molly Koehn, you’ll learn the time-honored techniques of binding and shaping broomcorn. By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only gain a profound appreciation for this historic craft but also take home a beautifully crafted and functional hand broom, also known as a "whisk broom," to cherish for years to come.

Note: The workshop takes place in person and inside the HCCC building. Space is limited to a maximum of 15 participants. Participants will go home with one or two hand brooms, depending on how quickly they complete the project.

Learn more and register at>> https://crafthouston.org/event/hand-broom-workshop/

HCCC Staff Spotlight: Meet Our Pets!

Welcome back to another edition of our series highlighting the wonder-fur pets of HCCC! Today, we're featuring Darcy, the pint-sized sidekick of our Retail + Sales Coordinator Kerrisa Treanor – read on to learn more!

Darcy is a pug, red heeler mix that was adopted from Pug Rescue Austin. She was born in the same litter as her twin brother Orion, who is a chihuahua. She hates thunder and loves big dogs. Darcy is the founder of Wiggle Butt University, home of the Fighting Peanut Heads, and is an advocate for all dogs butts, everywhere. In her spare time, Darcy is a muse and model, and she turns up her human's illustrations often, as seen in Kerrisa's precious pink drawings!

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Please join us in welcoming our newest Resident Artist, James Sterling Pitt!

Having suffered a traumatic brain injury many years ago, James developed an artistic practice that served as an autobiographical image bank, representing memories, places, and sensations and reinterpreting these experiences in the form of two and three-dimensional reconstructions. This process became a tool to help cope with his short-term memory loss and difficulties with language. Through drawing and sculpture, he is able to give form to the less concrete and harder to articulate aspects of the mind, such as something sensed or a fading memory.

Recently he has used a combination of wood, ceramic, acrylic, and glaze in his work. “I am interested in a visual ambiguity to material where it is not abundantly clear what is made of wood and what is made of clay. This allows for contemplation of both material and the interior space of one of the forms in what related to both the body and architecture.”

During his residency at HCCC, he plans to explore functionality and use his studio to create sculptural furniture and play with sight lines and space. He hopes visitors will be encouraged to use and activate his works with their bodies.

To learn more about HCCC's artist residency program, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/artists/

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1. Headshot by Krysta Jabczenski.
2. "Untitled," 2017. Courtesy of the artist and Seven Sisters.

**NOW HIRING: Education + Programs Coordinator**

Join our team! Acting as an advocate and representative of HCCC, the Education + Programs Coordinator interacts with visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The position is located in the gallery and public spaces of the Center and is responsible for greeting visitors and giving tours, providing information on programs and events, and safekeeping the artwork on view. This position works closely with the Education Director to make art at HCCC accessible and engaging to the broadest possible audiences.

Learn more and apply here>> https://crafthouston.org/about/

**Community Survey for HCCC's Strategic Plan**

We are at an important organizational crossroads and want your input! Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is embarking upon a comprehensive strategic planning process in partnership with trepwise, a consulting firm that specializes in purpose-driven planning. A critical part of this process is to hear from friends like you through a community survey. The survey offers an opportunity for you to reflect on your experiences at HCCC and have your voice considered in our vision for the future.

We hope you'll take a few minutes (approximately 10) to complete this brief survey by Monday, September 23, 2024: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XD6B86J

Your candid feedback is extremely valuable to HCCC; all responses will be anonymous and analyzed by Trepwise. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact Khiry Van Allen at [email protected].

Thank you in advance for your investment of time and support!

**Hands-On Houston: Walking Sticks is TODAY 11AM-3PM!**

Today is the day! Join us for HOH in the Craft Garden from 11AM-3PM today! In the wake of Hurricane Beryl this summer, Houston witnessed thousands of trees and branches toppled and shattered across the city. Among the losses was the majestic crepe myrtle tree in our Craft Garden, along with numerous other fallen branches. James Sterling Pitt, a new Resident Artist and dedicated garden volunteer, extends a unique invitation: join him in transforming these fallen branches into personalized walking sticks!

Unleash your creativity by painting your walking stick with vivid colors and intricate patterns. Enhance its grip and aesthetic appeal by wrapping the handle with yarn for added comfort and texture. If you already have a stick, feel free to bring it along to decorate! In the event of rain, this activity will take place in HCCC's lobby.
Please note: ​​We are currently undergoing repairs to our building and parking lot. Visitors are welcome to park at Lawndale Art Center (4912 Main St.) and should enter HCCC through our Main St. entrance.

For more information, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/event/hands-on-houston-walking-sticks/

Register now for Navigating Residency Applications: A Mock Panel Discussion & Resource Share for Artists!

Spots are going fast for this event, hosted at HCCC in collaboration with Fresh Arts on Thursday, September 19th, from 5:30-7:30PM! Panelists will review and provide feedback on mock artist residency submissions, sharing their insights and reasoning behind selection decisions. Representatives from Dance Source Houston, Galveston Artist Residency, Project Row Houses, Fresh Arts, and HCCC will present their residency programs. This event is free to attend with registration.

Attendees will have the valuable opportunity to gain expert insights and practical advice on navigating residency applications and understanding different program offerings. Participants will have the chance to ask questions in a Q&A session and seek guidance on the application process and program expectations.

The event is organized in conjunction with Fresh Arts’ and HCCC’s upcoming artist residency applications. Fresh Arts’ Space Taking Artist Residency (STAR) application opens in September, and HCCC’s application opens in December. The panel is co-hosted by Fresh Arts and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and generously funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Refreshments in the HCCC lobby begin at 5:30 PM, and the panel begins at 6:00 PM. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore HCCC’s artist studios before the panel begins.

To learn more, visit>>
https://crafthouston.org/event/navigating-residency-applications/

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is pleased to announce its newest class of residents for 2024 – 2025, a group of 11 outstanding local, national, and international artists working in craft media:

🔸 Perata Bradley, Mixed Media (Houston, Texas)
🔸 Stephanie Bursese, Craft + Photography (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
🔸 Atisha Fordyce, Fiber (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
🔸 Nela Garzon, Fiber (Houston, Texas)
🔸 Gbenga Komolafe, Fiber (Los Angeles, California)
🔸 Gabo Martinez, Clay (San Marcos, Texas)
🔸 Preetika Rajgariah, Fiber (Houston, Texas)
🔸 Macon Reed, Fiber (New Orleans, Louisiana, and New York City, New York)
🔸 James Sterling Pitt, Wood (Houston, Texas)
🔸 Adam Whitney, Metal (Rutland, Vermont)
🔸 Dongyi Wu, Metal (Bengbu, China)

Congratulations to all!

For more than 20 years, the Center’s artist residency program has offered time and space for craft artists to focus on their creative work and interact with the public. The program supports emerging, mid-career, and established artists working in all craft media, including fiber, glass, metal, wood and mixed media.

This year, HCCC again partnered with Crafting the Future, a nonprofit working to diversify the fields of art, craft, and design, to reach a broader pool of national applicants and offer a BIPOC support grant for the incoming cycle of artists. As a result of these efforts, two-thirds of resident artists have identified as BIPOC over the past three years.

HCCC also continues to collaborate with Houston Center for Photography (HCP) on a joint Interdisciplinary Craft + Photography (ICP) Artist Residency. The residency, designed for artists creating work at the intersection of contemporary craft and photography, supports artists with an experimental, multidisciplinary edge, who are testing the boundaries within both fields.

The application for the 2025 - 2026 residency cycle opens December 1, 2024. More details about the artist residency program can be found at>> https://www.crafthouston.org/artists/residents/apply-to-program/.

**Save 10% on HCCC Membership through 9/30!**

We are excited to announce a special on HCCC Membership running through the end of this month! This fall, we have a vibrant array of programming, workshops, and exhibitions planned, including our Holiday Pop-up at Asher Off The Wall, which will offer an expanded selection of jewelry, wearables, and handcrafted holiday gift items.

We hope you’ll join us as an HCCC member and be part of our mission to advance craft and making. If you join or renew between now and September 30th, you are invited to take advantage of a 10% discount!

Your membership gift helps support HCCC’s full recovery following Hurricane Beryl and keeps our programs and admission free for the public. Plus, you’ll receive exciting and valuable benefits, including:

⭕ Discounts on all sales from our retail, exhibition, and studio spaces, as well as invitations to exclusive preview events. (Save the date for a Members-only Sip & Shop Preview of the Holiday Pop-up on November 20th!)
⭕ Early registration and discounts on craft camps
⭕ Discounts on adult workshops, events, and art supplies

Members are a vital part of our community, and we’re excited for you to take part in our innovative events. We look forward to including you as part of our HCCC family!

Learn more at https://crafthouston.org/support/membership/

**Hands-On Houston: Walking Sticks is this Saturday 11-3PM!**

We are excited to welcome everyone back to HCCC for our September HOH this Saturday! In the wake of Hurricane Beryl this summer, Houston witnessed thousands of trees and branches toppled and shattered across the city. Among the losses was the majestic crepe myrtle tree in our Craft Garden, along with numerous other fallen branches. James Sterling Pitt, a new Resident Artist and dedicated garden volunteer, extends a unique invitation: join him in transforming these fallen branches into personalized walking sticks!

Unleash your creativity by painting your walking stick with vivid colors and intricate patterns. Enhance its grip and aesthetic appeal by wrapping the handle with yarn for added comfort and texture. If you already have a stick, feel free to bring it along to decorate! In the event of rain, this activity will take place in HCCC's lobby.

Please note: ​​We are currently undergoing repairs to our building and parking lot. Visitors are welcome to park at Lawndale Art Center (4912 Main St.) and should enter HCCC through our Main St. entrance.

For more information, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/event/hands-on-houston-walking-sticks/

Update: Unfortunately, we are unable to stream the talks on Facebook Live as planned. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please join us in person!

**Resident Artist Talks with Perata Bradley & Rebecca Padilla-Pipkin TODAY, 3-4PM!**

Join us from 3-4PM today, in the HCCC lobby or on Facebook Live, for talks by current resident artists, Perata Bradley (mixed media) and Rebecca Padilla-Pipkin (fiber)! Discover the artistic processes of working craft artists and learn about the artists’ works of art, influences, and materials.

Learn more here>> https://crafthouston.org/event/resident-artist-talks-bradley_padilla-pipkin/

**Resident Artist Talks Saturday, August 24: Perata Bradley & Rebecca Pipkin**

This Saturday from 3-4PM, join us for talks by current resident artists, Perata Bradley (mixed media) and Rebecca Padilla-Pipkin (fiber). Discover the artistic processes of working craft artists and learn about the artists’ works of art, influences, and materials.

We anticipate this event will be held in person in the HCCC lobby, as well as streamed on our Facebook Live page promptly at 3:00 PM.

Learn more here>> https://crafthouston.org/event/resident-artist-talks-bradley_padilla-pipkin/

"Disclosure" Close Look: Kim Thomas

"Disclosure: The Whiteness of Glass" closes this Saturday at HCCC. Don't miss your chance to see this important exhibition, developed by Related Tactics Collective as a critique of inequalities in the field of glass. Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, many arts organizations responded to public scrutiny by quickly turning to people of color to step in and advise on equity and inclusion. Given a history of institutional pushback when similar policies had been proposed before, RT criticizes these hasty decisions as tokenizing (publicly inclusive of minority groups to give the appearance of diversity where it may not exist in practice) efforts which undermined the need for meaningful change.

In his instructions for "Temporary Approaches to Change Exhaust Resources and Erode Trust," artist Corey Pemberton describes this rush to avoid negative publicity as "a pile of failed, quickly constructed, fragile components," visually representing it with a lopsided shape that is "Broken like the trust of the one whose time and resources we waste when we act with haste."

Responding to Corey's instructions, artist Kim Thomas created a series of objects, including a pile of brightly colored chairs that seems like it could topple over at any moment. Despite appearances, however, these chairs are a unified whole. Using a glassworking technique called flameworking, Kim applied high heat from a torch to different pieces of glass, molding each chair and fusing them together. Each point of contact becomes a source of strength. Kim says, "the stacked chairs represent ancestral knowledge and support. While we have this support in the spiritual world, it is not always evident in the physical, where stability is often a luxury." Her chairs are stable because she took both time and care to create them, challenging us to think deeply about what it means to commit to change.

Media: Related Tactics (data visualization), Corey Pemberton (instructions), and Kim Thomas (studio response), "Temporary approaches to change exhaust resources and erode trust (re-imagined)," 2022.

📸 1. Katy Anderson
2-3. Courtesy of Related Tactics

Earlier this month, Randall Williams of HCC Stafford TV Studio visited our event for an interview with our Education + Programs Coordinator William Soller! Many thanks to Lawndale Art Center for hosting us while we were closed! HCCC is open to the public again, so we are excited to see everyone for our next HOH event on Saturday, September 7th!

To watch the interview, visit>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2htRhUbbrA

Mothership Dinner - August 29th

Please join an incredible group of HCCC friends and supporters for a special fundraiser to celebrate our upcoming fall exhibition, "Designing Motherhood."

Originating in Philadelphia at the Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Center for Architecture and Design, "Designing Motherhood" is the first exhibition of its kind to consider the entire arc of human reproduction through a design lens. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft’s iteration of the show is also the first to be mounted in the Southern United States and the first to extend the contents to highlight the craft perspective on the topic. The exhibition will feature craft traditions spanning blown-glass baby bottles and handwoven baby blankets to handcrafted rocking chairs, basket-woven bassinets, and wood-turned rattles.

Tickets Now on Sale for this special dinner, which takes place at a private home and includes delightful food and drinks, art, stories, and much more! Learn more and purchase tickets here https://sealion-coconut-yewt.squarespace.com/

Image: Maternity Care Coalition staff serving their clients in Philadelphia, 1980s. Courtesy of MCC and the University of Pennsylvania Library Archives (MSColl760, Box 44, Folder 56)

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HCCC Staff Spotlight: Meet Our Pets!

Welcome to another edition of Meet Our Pets, a series about our HCCC's amazing animal companions! Today, we're highlighting Jackson, Odin, and Loki – a fearless (and furless!) trio who are part of Education Director Tarina Frank's family!

Jackson is a feisty cat who has access to a beautiful garden. He is usually either napping under the rose apple tree, or begging for his favorite brand of wet food. 😻🍛 Odin and Loki are Peruvian Hairless dogs that are just as sneaky and bossy as their names imply! 🐕🐕 They are brothers and best friends who keep all the birds, snakes, and squirrels out of the garden. They also enjoy snacking on tomatoes 🍅, peaches 🍑, cantaloupes 🍈, or whatever is in season. ☀️🌱 All three animals keep the family on their toes, and the energy high, at the Mosman/Frank household!

Fun fact: the Peruvian Hairless Dog, or Chimú dog, is also known as the Peruvian Inca Orchid! 🀣🐶 A bloomin' beautiful name, if you ask us! 🌸

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Register now for our Fused Glass Workshop, August 17th! New date with spaces available!

Inspired by our current exhibition, "Disclosure: The Whiteness of Glass," this two-hour workshop with glass artist from explores the basics of fused-glass techniques as well as how to safely cut and work with glass. Discuss color combinations and designs as you layer your piece. Each student will select a design for their project, choose from a variety of glass colors and types, score and cut their glass, and assemble their pattern to create a fetching ornament or sun-catcher!

To learn more and to register, visit https://crafthouston.org/event/fused-glass-workshop-2/

This workshop generously sponsored in part by

**Resident Artist Feature: Rebecca Padilla-Pipkin**

Rebecca Padilla-Pipkin is an interdisciplinary visual artist and educator living and working in Phoenix, Arizona. After moving to the United States at age 10, she has lived a transient life and is influenced by the many places she has loved. Her work explores ecologies of place through a wide variety of site-specific materials and processes that index moments of interaction between the human and more-than-human. Ultimately, she strives to make work that deepens the care and attention we give to the places in which we dwell.

About her time at HCCC so far, Rebecca says, "The residency has allowed me to be in the studio full time again and has been an opportunity for exploration of new ideas within my work. I'm grateful to HCCC for the opportunity to respond to a new place and engage with other artists this summer."

You can learn more about Rebecca and her work, at our upcoming Resident Artists Talks on August 24th!

To learn more, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/event/resident-artist-talks-bradley_padilla-pipkin/

📸 by Katy Anderson

**HCCC Partially Reopens Tomorrow!**

Beginning tomorrow, August 13th, HCCC will reopen our front gallery and resident artists' studios to the public. Come and enjoy the final two weeks of our summer exhibition, "Disclosure: The Whiteness of Glass"; visit our summer residents, Perata, Rebecca, and Gabo; and check out our latest retail offerings in Asher: Off the Wall.

We hope you’ll “pardon our dust” when you visit. ☁️🧹👷🏻 Following these two weeks, our rebuilding efforts will accelerate, as we set our sites on fully reopening for our fall exhibitions. As always, please visit us on our website and social media for the latest updates!

We are sincerely grateful for the contributions we've received during our recovery following Hurricane Beryl. If you wish to contribute, please consider making a donation to our annual fund here: https://crafthouston.org/annual-fund-donation/

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Great write-up of things to do in Houston.

Road trip down to the Bayou City for some culture and entertainment HOUSTON – Who needs New York, L.A., or Chicago for a little big-city excitement when one of the country’s largest municipalities and its myriad attractions is right here in our

**Las Fenix Concert Recap**

We're still riding high from last Thursday, when we welcomed Las Fenix and exhibiting artist Georgina Treviño for a special one-night-only outdoor concert! Full of fun and dancing, the event culminated with a delightful performance by Georgina, who shared the stage with Las Fenix for an amazing rendition of Selena's "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom." 💃🏻

Our deepest thanks to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts and Advocates of a Latino Museum of Cultural and Visual Arts & Archive Complex in Houston, Harris County (ALMAAHH Texas) for generously supporting this event.

Thank you also to Equal Parts Brewing for providing your great brews for our attendees to enjoy, and to all who braved the heat to attend! 🔥❤️✨

You can check out more photos of the event here 👉🏼 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.941638651331362&type=3

📸 2-5, 7 Kerrisa Treanor

"La Fuente del Deseo" Close Look: Nameplate Necklaces

While our galleries are closed, let us bring the craft to you! Here's a deep dive into a statement jewelry item featured by Georgina Treviño in "La Fuente del Deseo" – the nameplate necklace!

Most familiar as names or phrases cut from flat metal in a script or gothic lettering style, and hung on either side by a chain worn around the neck, the history of nameplate necklaces is chronicled by Isabel Attyah Flower and Marcel Rosa-Salas on Instagram, and in their 2023 book "The Nameplate."

Name jewelry dates to antiquity, with many ancient Egyptian and Greek signet rings surviving today. Carved with a ruler or noble family's name, signet rings were carefully guarded symbols of authority. Isabel and Marcel trace the origin of modern nameplate jewelry in New York City and Los Angeles to working-class Latin American, Caribbean, Italian, and Jewish communities after WWII. The 1970s saw the rise of hip-hop in NYC, and its iconic looks included elaborate nameplate jewelry – a trend that remains popular among performers to this day.

For many immigrants and people of color, celebrating one's name is an act of resistance against a history of assimilation being forced through the "standardization" of names. In their 2017 essay, "Say My Name: Nameplate Jewelry and the Politics of Taste," Isabel and Marcel write, "on the most personal level, wearing one’s name opposes the homogenization and cultural illegibility experienced by immigrants, low-income groups, and communities of color in the United States by making hypervisible the wearer’s unique identity."

Nameplate jewelry is a popular coming-of-age gift worldwide - examples in Isabel and Marcel's book include Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, English, Chinese, Amharic, Hebrew, Italian, Cyrillic, Hawaiian, Wolof, Igbo, Yoruba, and Persian.

Adapting nameplates into large-scale pieces like a swing set, you can buy a necklace version of Georgina's witty "siéntese señora" ("sit down, ma'am") bench at Asher Off The Wall on our Instagram shop !

1. 📸 Katy Anderson
2. From Wikimedia Commons
3. Egyptian signet ring c.1353–1323 B.C. Wikimedia Commons
4. Megan Thee Stallion. © the artist
5. Biz Markie. Wikimedia Commons
6. 📸 Katy Anderson
7. 📸 Kerrisa Treanor

**Hands-On Houston TODAY 11AM-3PM at Lawndale Art Center!**

Today is the day! Join us Lawndale Art Center to explore balance and stability by designing your own, whimsical kinetic sculpture using wood and recycled materials! Thanks again to our wonderful neighbors for hosting this event while our building remains closed for repairs following Hurricane Beryl!

Tilt, slide, and suspend everyday objects and ordinary materials into surprising arrangements, and explore stability, centers of gravity, and symmetry through this hands-on, tactile activity. Learn to balance your sculpture visually and physically and assemble your materials into a captivating work of art that defies gravity.

While you’re at Lawndale, make sure to check out the "Big Show 2024," an ambitious open-call juried competition of artists practicing within a 100-mile radius of Lawndale that reflects our commitment to supporting local and regional artists at various stages in their career.

To learn more, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/event/hands-on-houston-balance-sculpture/

**TONIGHT! Las Fenix FREE outdoor concert at HCCC!**

We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to HCCC for tonight's free Las Fenix concert celebrating the work of Georgina Treviño!

Please Note: The HCCC building is currently closed for repairs due to Hurricane Beryl, so this event will take place outdoors in our parking lot. Street parking is available, and at Lawndale Art Center across the street. Limited handicapped parking will be available in the HCCC lot. It's going to be hot, so although we will have tents and fans to help keep temperatures down, please make sure to dress accordingly!

Reception begins at 6:15 PM, and the performance begins at 7 PM. Arrive early to enjoy refreshments, sponsored by Equal Parts Brewing, and to meet Georgina Treviño in person, who will be selling customized exhibition merchandise! Limited seating will be available during the concert.

This special program is generously supported by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, and ALMAAHH Texas.

To learn more, visit>> https://crafthouston.org/event/las-fenix-in-concert/