Craft in America Secures Production Funding for Upcoming Television Series

Craft in America Secures Production Funding for Upcoming Television Series

Groundbreaking Documentary Series on American's Premiere Craft Artists Begins Production in January 2006

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Craft in America, a groundbreaking, three-part documentary series developed for prime time television on PBS, has secured the funding needed to begin production. PBS has given the organization the OK to proceed with production beginning in January 2006, with an airdate of April 2007. Project creator and co-executive producer Carol Sauvion said, "We now have an opportunity to present the subject of craft to a national audience in a meaningful way."

This first project from Craft In America, Inc. is a three-part television documentary series that will take viewers on a journey to the origins, artists and techniques of American craft. The three, one-hour episodes entitled "Memory," "Community" and "Landscape," will feature stories of prominent craft artisans and will be set against the larger historical context of craft itself. "Memory" will focus on the historical relevance of craft through the eyes of several contemporary pioneers in the field. "Community" highlights the social and emotional connections that crafts embody. The final installment, "Landscape" examines the interdependent relationship of craft artists to their media and the natural world. Carol Sauvion and Kyra Thompson will co-executive produce the television series.

Craft in America, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to document and advance original handcrafted work in all media and to make the information accessible to all Americans.

The national television series is just one project underway at Craft in America's Los Angeles office. Dighton Spooner, Craft in America project director, will coordinate ancillary projects that will support the television series. Spooner said, "As technology grows in importance in our lives, it is heartening and inspirational to see the power and creativity of the human hand as expressed in the work of the artists we will feature in our programs." Supporting projects include: a nationally touring exhibition of exceptional craft objects and a companion book to accompany the series and the exhibition America - Expanding Traditions. The exhibition will provide the only opportunity to see many of the objects featured in the television series in person.

Howard Risatti, Ph.D. and Kenneth R. Trapp, M.A. will author the book, which will examine American craft as a unique American art form. Jo Lauria, M.A. former Decorative Arts Curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, will curate the exhibition Craft in America Expanding Traditions.

More information about these projects as well as plans for a website and an enhanced DVD can be found at info@craftinamerica.org.

Source: Craft in America, Inc.

CONTACT: Dighton Spooner of Craft in America, +1-310-659-9022,
dightonspooner@craftinamerica.org

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