Crafts News

Crafts faculty and staff hosted the first “Crafts Olympics.” Five featured events challenged students to demonstrate their skills in craft-related disciplines. Among the competitions were the Ceramic “Throw Up,” the Fibers “Monster Truck 4x4 Weavathon,” the glass “Twisted Cane Pull,” metalsmithing “Saw, File and Solder Relay,” and the interdisciplinary “Having a Fit” mortis and tenon joinery competition. Students enjoyed the friendly competition and James Viste, technician, fashioned commemorative medals for the victors.

Visiting artist Susan Fox lectured to Fibers students on how to live as an independent artist doing craft fairs and selling to galleries on consignment.

Visiting artist Leanna Laliberte conducted a quilting workshop on sewing machines for the Collage and Surface Embellishment class.

Visiting artist Tracy Gallup made a presentation to Crafts students on her work as a doll maker and book illustrator.

The Fibers department visited textile conservationist Howard Suttcliffe at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ textile lab to learn about his career. A few students are looking into this field as a possible career option and will pursue an internship for the fall at the DIA.

Visiting artist Eddie Bernard gave a slide lecture to Glass students on his company Wet Dog Glass, which makes equipment for glass studios.

Susan Aaron-Taylor, professor, has a photograph of a mixed media sculpture featured in the winter issue of Surface Design Journal. Aaron-Taylor also has a photograph of a new sculpture entitled “Axis Mundi” featured in the winter issue of Psyche’s Journey.
Student Elysia Vandenbussche is showing her work in the exhibit Mind at Gallery Project in Ann Arbor. The exhibit ran through March 31. For more information, go to www.thegalleryproject.com.