Crafts Faculty

Thomas Madden works primarily in hollowware, pewter, copper and silver and has been doing research into bi-metal surface embellishment, keum boo – damascene, Higo Zogan, and electroforming.

Upon graduation from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Susan Aaron-Taylor became an instructor and is currently a section chairperson and professor at CCS and has taught here for 32 years.

Herb Babcock is Chairman of the Glass Department at CCS and has been a professor since 1974. Babcock’s art is predominately sculpture: metal and glass fabrication and his work is included in many national and international collections and galleries.

Bruce Boatman has shown his glass work nationally and exhibited locally. He has experience working in production glassblowing studios and is an adjunct faculty member of CCS glass department.

After earning a BA and MFA, Maxwell Davis went directly into teaching at CCS and has remained in that position for more than 35 years. He currently heads the Interdisciplinary track in the Crafts Department. Always on the cutting edge of his craft Davis has been making art furniture for over eighteen years. Davis has exhibited in over 130 national and international shows and competitions, been a featured artist on two national cable television shows, and been privately collected by dozens of furniture and fine art collectors including the High Museum in Atlanta, GA and the Detroit Institute of the Arts.

An adjunct faculty member in the CCS Crafts Department, Mollie Fletcher is a widely published expert on textiles and has exhibited her fiber art and lectured throughout the United States.

A textile artist, Susan Moran has been an instructor in the Fiber Design area of the Crafts Department for more than 20 years.

Theresa Pierzchala is represented at Novus Art, Next Step Studio and her work will soon be at the SOFA at Navy Pier with Next Step.

James Viste is a nationally known blacksmithing demonstrator and exhibitor and has participated in several national Ironwork Restoration Projects with Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Raymond Wetzel has a broad experience as an artist and has worked as a set designer for dance companies and individual artists, an exhibition designer, a cabinet maker, and a furniture maker, in addition to running his own exhibition design and manufacturing business.