career path. Finally, I realized
how weak American manu-
facturing is because not all the
disciplines function equally.
Look at our industries today
that could utilize “crafters”
and you find most are out of
business or moved overseas
or have focused on high-end
markets. This idea that good
design is available to only a
few has eroded the “arts” in
America, as well as any respect
for design careers in “heavy”
manufacturing.
Today marketing has taken
over product design. Indus-
try, art, craft and design here
lack knowledge, and any real
vision for a more creative
manufacturing world. You are
right that there is a “big blur.”
Industry does not understand
design, crafters don’t have
the skills to influence and con-
tribute to industry and the art
world couldn’t care less.
With our world in econom-
ic turmoil, now is the time
to give this discussion wider
focus. As our domestic indus-
trial base considers reinven-
tion, with the proper guidance
maybe creativity can be recog-
nized as a viable contributor
to our economy.
GEORGE GEHRINGER
Exton, Pennsylvania
Focus on Community
We perused the February/
March American Craft with
excitement. Tliis issue empha-
sizes the new spirit of the
O
magazine with its focus on
community. The craft world is
small-everybody knows ev-
erybody in clusters dictated
by medium, geography and the
fraternity of craft-show par-
ticipants, as well as academic
circles and organizations.
American Craft is becoming
the central voice for all these
groups with consistently
improving graphic presenta-
tion and good writing. We
especially enjoyed “Kitchen
Table Politics”—I wish we
had sent you pictures of Mara’s
Bushwacked
© sooner—it’s
right in line with the article.
Each issue has a more re-
freshing presence than the
one before. The photography
is fabulous—what a beautiful
shot of Judith Schaechter
(“Through the Looking
Glass”) in her bay window.
ROY AND M A R A SUPERIOR
Northampton, Massachusetts
Correction:
In “The Wide World of Craft”
(Feb/Mar) it was stated that
Doug Bucci is on the faculty at
Moore College of Art &
Design. He is no longer there
and is now at Tyler School of
Art and University of the Arts.
Write to us:
letters@craftcouncil.org
American Craft magazine
72 Spring Street, 6th Floor
New York, New York 10012
APRIL 4 - 25
STEFFEN DAM
APRIL 16-19
SOFA NEW YORK
LINO TAGLIAPIETRA, NICOLE CHESNEY
STEFFEN DAM, TOBIAS M 0H L
MAY 2 - 30
LIBENSKŸ/BRYCHTOVÂ
proto:
Spencer
Tsoi
