i960
Michael Frimkess
begins making his
postmodern “melt-
ing pots,” classical
forms with pop
images.
1962
The first annual interna-
tional Tapestry Biennial
is held in Lausanne,
Switzerland, demonstrat-
ing the increasing art-
world clout of fiber art.
1961
Rose Slivka, editor of
Craft Horizons
,
writes “The New Ceramic Presence,
provocatively introducing new wave
ceramics and ushering in an era in
which the medium is increasingly
considered fine art.
1963
“Woven Forms,” curated by
Paul J. Smith at the Museum of
Contemporary Crafts (NY), gives
over the whole first floor to Lenore
Tawney. The work of Alice Adams,
Sheila Hicks, Dorian Zachai, and
Claire Zeisler fills the second floor.
◄■1961
Robert Arneson throws, caps, and
stamps his iconic and irreverent sealed
bottle,
No Return
, during a demonstra-
tion at the California State Fair, ignit-
ing the funk movement in ceramics.
R obert Arneson,
N o R e t u r n
photo:
&
2009 M useum
A ssociates/ I . A C M A / A rt Resource, N Y
1969
“Wall Hangings” at the Museum of Modern
Art, curated by Jack Lenor Larsen and
Mildred Constantine, features the work of
Anni Albers, Lenore Tawney, Magdalena
Abakanowicz, Sheila Hicks, Mary Walker
Phillips, Ed Rossbach, Kay Sekimachi, and
Claire Zeisler, among others.
f i
/
m q
•
9<>3
Laurence Barker
establishes the first
U.S. university-based
papermaking pro-
gram at the vener-
able Cranbrook
Academy of Art.
•* >963
Wendell Castle intro-
duces furniture made
with stack lamination,
a new technique for
making pieces with
curves that borders
on sculpture.
1964
The first World Congress
of Craftsmen, organized
by Margaret Patch and Mrs.
Webb, draws 750 delegates
to NY from four continents.
It leads to the formation of
the World Crafts Council.
◄■1963
First U.S.
glass-blowing
class at a col-
lege or univer-
sity is taught by
Littleton in
Madison.
<♦1962
Toledo Museum of Art director Otto
Wittmann invites Harvey Littleton (center)
to lead two groundbreaking workshops in a
garden shed on the museum grounds. Glass
scientist Dominick Labino and retired
Libbey glassblower Harvey Leafgreen
(right) provide crucial technical help.
1962
Penland School of Crafts’
beloved founder and first
director Lucy Morgan
steps down. New direc-
tor Bill Brown expands
its programs, cementing
Penland as a craft mecca.
1963
The American Folk
Art Museum opens
in New York.
4
1964-66
Groovy, baby: The Beatles help usher
in the Mod era, Carnaby Street style,
and body-conscious couture. Trend-
setters make statements with bigger,
wilder, avant-garde jewelry and
accessories.
◄■1962
Sophie “Fifi” Rchbinder-
Kruse sells the formula
she developed for mold-
able “clay” material to
Eberhard Faber, which
develops it into Fimo
polymer clay.
◄■1962
First Lady Jacqueline
Kennedy leads a tele-
vised tour of the White
House, newly restored
to showcase historic
American furniture and
decorative arts.
•+
■
1962
Andy W ar hoi’s
Campbell's Soup Cans
causes a sensation, and
helps usher in pop art.
©
y
e
m
m
m
1
M
M
H
£
y
?
f l S
I
y
f
£ 2
fflff
1962
John McLaughlin’s min-
imalist painting is exhib-
ited in the Whitney’s
“Geometric Abstraction
in America,” and the
minimalist movement
is widely recognized.
1963
Modern artist Josef
Albers publishes
Interaction o f Color
,
which will become
familiar to almost
anyone exposed to a
formal art education.
0 3 6
a m e r i c a n c r a f t
a u g / s c p i i
