Artist Tim Tate Offers a Guide To the Area's Best
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 17, 2009
The best craft show in the country is about to get even better. Or at least a little more complicated.
That's if you believe Tim Tate, who calls the annual Smithsonian Craft Show, now in its 27th year and taking place Thursday through April 26 at the National Building Museum, the best of its kind. Of the numerous higher-level craft show around the country "the Smithsonian is at the very top of that heap," boasts the Washington glass artist, whose work is in the permanent craft collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery and was featured in the Smithsonian Craft Show in 2007.
Offering work for sale by 120 artists from across the country in a dozen categories ranging from ceramics to jewelry to wood, the annual juried show has become a springtime destination for lovers of fine craft. And this year, for the first time, it's part of a broader, area-wide celebration of the homegrown craft scene called CraftWeek DC.
Running Wednesday through April 26, CraftWeek DC will attempt to place the jewel that is the Smithsonian Craft Show in a setting that includes a host of satellite craft exhibitions at area galleries, open studios, artist demonstrations, parties and educational programming. Events take place in Maryland, Virginia and the District, and most are open to the public. The offerings run the gamut, from the silly to the scholarly, with stuff to listen to, to look at and, of course, to buy.
So much is going on, in fact, that it might easily look -- especially to an outsider unfamiliar with the lay of the craft land -- like a "pile of brambles," to use Tate's term.
That's where he comes in. To help us pick our way through that thicket to get to what Tate calls the "wonderful fruit" at the center.
Why him?
An artist whose work straddles the line between craft and fine art, Tate is an ideal tour guide to the world of craft, which by most definitions includes five materials: ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and wood . Part button-down advocate, part wild-eyed missionary for craft, the artist is co-founder and co-director of the Washington Glass School and will sing the praises of that particular medium to whoever will listen. His own work has evolved from the sculptural to what he calls "narrative glass" and frequently features homemade videos that play on miniature screens inside blown-glass vessels adorned with tiny sculptures.
But CraftWeek DC is about more than glass, whose strong presence in the area is thanks largely to the influence of Tate's school. There's also a burgeoning local ceramic art movement, as exemplified by the non-functional abstractions (i.e., no bowls and mugs) of artists Margaret Boozer, Laurel Lukaszewski (see story on Page 26) and others. Washington is also becoming increasingly known for its unorthodox jewelry artists, represented by craftswomen such as Gayle Friedman (see story on Page 25), who has turned such things as her mother's old anodized-aluminum knitting needles and reclaimed fur into jewelry.
Tate's official credentials include a seat on the board of the James Renwick Alliance, the collecting, educational and fundraising arm of the Renwick Gallery that put CraftWeek DC together in the first place. By his own description, he's "friends with most everyone" in the local craft scene, from the artists in their studios to the galleries and the museums. What's more, Tate seems to know the history of craft and to speak its language. In conversation, he drops references to latticino glass (think swirls, like in a glass marble), Damascus metal (a technique of hammering and layering that Tate calls "the fine-metal equivalent of filo dough") and pyrometric cones (a traditional way for ceramacists to gauge heat in a kiln).
We'd call him the Craft Whisperer, except that Tate never whispers.
For our sightseeing cruise of CraftWeek DC, we invited him to create three easy-to-navigate tours of next week's events, with day-by-day picks customized to your level of interest, engagement and expertise with craft.
The first is for the Student. It's fun, youthful and educational, and geared to those with the least amount of craft knowledge and/or cash. The second is for the Everyman (or woman). There, you'll find recommendations of things to do for the intermediate-level craft aficionado, or anyone hoping to become an entry-level collector. Finally, for the Connoisseur, there's a tour packed with all the skinny on where to go to see the best stuff, meet the biggest players and snag the most beautiful objects, before anyone else does.
THE STUDENT TOURWEDNESDAY
Art vs. Craft Tug of War and Panel Discussion
What's craft? What's art? And what,
if anything, is the difference? As they say, it's complicated. Panelists including artist Steve Frost, whose fine art features embroidery, and ceramic gallery owner Rebecca Cross face off in this exploration of the raging debate. Afterward, audience members and panelists will take the fight outside, for a tongue-in-cheek tug of war in Dupont Circle between teams representing the two disciplines.
Where: Washington Project for the Arts, 2023 Massachusetts Ave. NW (Metro: Dupont Circle).
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free.
THURSDAY
Connect and Collect
Tour the Smithsonian Craft Show at this non-threatening evening reception reserved for guests younger than 40. It's the perfect introduction to the idea of collecting craft, Tate says, "even if you've collected nothing but kittens from Stuckey's all these years."
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (Metro: Judiciary Square).
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Cost: $20 (includes one daytime readmission to the show).
FRIDAY
Torpedo Factory Gallery Crawl
Visit three craft shows under one roof at the Torpedo Factory Art Center: "Reclaimed" (Target Gallery) features art made from everyday objects; "Flowers and Showers" (Enamellists Gallery) celebrates cloisonne and other metal-enameling techniques; and "Going Green" (Scope Gallery) spotlights green-glazed ceramics. You'll walk in knowing nothing, Tate says, "and come out with knowledge." Not to mention, maybe, a full shopping bag.
Where: Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria.
When: The Torpedo Factory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Individual gallery hours vary.
Cost: Free.
SATURDAY
My Life in Craft
Every two years, the James Renwick Alliance honors five American "Masters of the Medium" in each of the traditional craft disciplines. At this panel discussion, the 2009 honorees will talk about their art. Even novices, says Tate, "might as well hear about the top-of-the-line."
Where: Nan Tucker McEvoy Auditorium, Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, Eighth and F streets NW (Metro: Gallery Place).
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Cost: Free.
SUNDAY
Smithsonian Craft Show
You've already been to the show once for Thursday's "Connect and Collect" reception, where you picked up a free day pass. Now, use it for a return visit, during which you'll see live ceramics demonstrations and a showcase of work by emerging craft artists from the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Tate's tip: "Catch a rising star before he or she is unattainable."
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (Metro: Judiciary Square).
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $15 at the door; $12 for seniors, students, members of the military and Smithsonian members; free with paid admission to Thursday's "Connect and Collect" reception.
THE EVERYMAN TOURWEDNESDAY
A New and Native Beauty: The Art and Craft of Greene & Greene
One hundred years ago, the architecture and design team of brothers Charles and Henry Greene was known for some of the most beautiful homes and wood-rich furniture and home furnishings in the American Arts and Crafts movement. What better way to kick off CraftWeek, according to Tate, than with a little historical context at this Renwick Gallery show, on view through June 7?
Where: Renwick Gallery, 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Metro: Farragut West).
When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free.
THURSDAY
Georgetown Gallery Crawl
Right now, Tate says, the D.C. region is getting national and international attention on three craft fronts: glass, clay and jewelry. Catch what he calls "world class" examples of all three in a trifecta of Georgetown gallery openings.
Where: Maureen Littleton Gallery (glass), 1667 Wisconsin Ave. NW; Jewelers' Werk Galerie (jewelry), 3319 Cady's Alley NW; Cross MacKenzie Ceramic Arts (clay), 1054 31st St. NW. When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free.
FRIDAY
Open Studios and Demonstrations
This event takes place at what Tate calls the "ground zero" of the regional craft scene: a dense cluster of workshops in and around Mount Rainier and Hyattsville. In addition to Tate's own Washington Glass School, you'll find Blue Fire Studio, DC Glassworks and Sculpture Studios, Flux Studios and Red Dirt Studio, where artists will be offering behind-the-scenes looks at their creative processes.
Where: Gateway Arts Community, Mount Rainier and Hyattsville. Individual addresses available at http://www.craftweekdc.com.
When: 10 a.m. to noon.
Cost: Free.
SATURDAY
Constructed Color: Amish Quilts
"If you like Gee's Bend, you like this," says Tate, referring to the rural Alabama community known for its hugely popular quilts, whose designs have been often compared to abstract painting. This Textile Museum showcase, on view through Sept. 6, features works from Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, with a similarly modernist look.
Where: Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW (Metro: Dupont Circle).
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Suggested donation of $5.
SUNDAY
Great Artists, Great Teachers
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Penland School of Crafts is one of the single biggest influences on Washington's craft community, Tate says. At the opening reception for this exhibition of work by Penland faculty, you'll see how "almost every other craftsperson whose work you've seen this week has been influenced by this major school."
Where: Habatat Galleries, 8020 Towers Crescent Dr., Suite 125, Tysons Corner. When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free.
THE CONNOISSEUR TOURWEDNESDAY
Smithsonian Craft Show Preview
This elite sneak peek, which includes cocktails, a buffet and live jazz, costs a little more than a regular day pass. Okay, a lot more. But for those who know what kind of craft they like, and have the means to get it, it's a chance to cherry-pick the very best of the contemporary craft world. And perhaps walk away with a museum-quality object "before anyone else has a chance to get their hands on it," Tate says. Proceeds benefit Smithsonian education, outreach and research.
Where: National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW (Metro: Judiciary Square).
When: 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Cost: $190.
THURSDAY
Korean Contemporary Metal and Art Jewelry
It's only on view through April 24, so don't miss what Tate calls an "amazing" collection of contemporary metal necklaces, rings, brooches, tea sets, decorative containers, office instruments and desk sculptures by 78 Korean and 14 Korean American artists.
Where: KORUS House, Embassy of Republic of Korea, 2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW.
When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free.
FRIDAY
Love Calls Us to the Things of This World
Irvine Contemporary Gallery owner Martin Irvine calls Shawne Major's exhibition of found-object tapestries, featuring fabric scraps, beads and other detritus (on view through May 16) "over-the-top." Looking at pictures of the New Orleans-based artist's work, Tate says it looks as if Larry Fuente's "Game Fish" -- a favorite Renwick Gallery sculpture in the shape of a sailfish made of old toys -- had "mated with a quilt."
Where: Irvine Contemporary Gallery, 1412 14th St. NW.
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free.
SATURDAY
Spring Craft Weekend Gala and Auction
Ready to play with the big kids? Here's your chance. The swank, black-tie dinner, Tate says, is not just an occasion to hobnob with craft collectors, curators and gallery owners from across the country. It's also a rare opportunity to bid on "some of the most unbelievable art you'll ever come across: museum-quality pieces before museums get them."
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, Eighth and F streets NW (Metro: Gallery Place). When: 7 to 11 p.m.
Cost: $295; $250 for guests younger than 40.
SUNDAY
Spring Craft Weekend Awards Ceremony and Brunch
For serious craft aficionados, one highlight of this closing party is yet another auction, this time featuring work donated by six local standouts (Margaret Boozer, Michael Janis, Laurel Lukaszewski, Elizabeth Mears, Novie Trump, and, yes, Tate). "If you missed that Lino Tagliapietra piece at last night's auction," says Tate, referring to the Italian glass master whose work goes for five figures and up, "this is a nice chance to get work by some of the area's rising stars."
Where: Marriott Tysons Corner, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $90.
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