New Wave. And we’re not talking the 80s.

12 Responses to “New Wave. And we’re not talking the 80s.”

1. annie Says:
   Mar. 9, 2008, at 7:16 pm

   thank you so much for your article. i found it quite timely . . . i hope you will stop by and read about a conference experience i recently had.

   http://www.imogene.org/blog/2008/03/09/confessions/

2. Kimberly Dorn Says:
   Mar. 10, 2008, at 2:22 am

   Thanks for posting this review and for the pics of Margaux Lange’s necklaces… her stuff rules! Sadly I missed this show, and it’s in my hood too
   I don’t think I’d ever want to be referred to as a “New Wave” crafter, but it is cool that old skool and new skool crafts can hang together.

3. Sherry Says:
   Mar. 13, 2008, at 4:24 pm

   Great review! I felt exactly the same way- the “new Wave” was refreshing and daring, yet it was corralled into a weird little corner like show ponies. I LOVED Elizabeth Perkins work so much I took a piece home, nice wall shot of her pieces! BTW I came from Imogene’s blog, definitely worth the read, very interesting and valid.

4. Sara Dick Says:
   Mar. 14, 2008, at 11:24 am

   sherry’s right. if you haven’t checked out annie’s SNAG post, you should. here are some of the things being said

   Magan says:

   it was really interesting to hear what regular exhibitors at ACC thought of the new wave section. Ironically, as a searchlight artist, I was given a huge, FREE booth space, which no one complained about, instead everyone was complaining about the new wave artists paying $300 to be crammed in a corner.

   I thought the new wave section and the searchlight section were some of the most interesting work in the show, but I know a lot of people who didn’t go into the new wave section because it was always so crowded, and people weren’t buying a lot in searchlight because it was too much like a gallery. So much for encouraging these new artists to want to exhibit again.

   To be honest, I was a little annoyed about the new wave section, but mostly because I thought, why can’t it just be part of the regular show. Myself (though I was in a slightly different position), Caitlin, and Ali of pistolstitched all applied to the regular portion of the show, so why couldn’t the other new wave artists. But I place the blame squarely on ACC. If they really wanted “new wave” artists in the show (and I hate the term, “new wave”) why not just encourage them to apply. Perhaps the ACC needs to have a more formal assistantship program to make it more financially possible for emerging artists of any kind to participate in the (overpriced) show.

   But the biggest disappointment of ACC was really the audience turn-out. Obviously, adding the new wave craft section didn’t really help the poor attendance that has occurred the last few years. And why would any artist want to pay over $1,000 for a booth to stand around and talk to their neighbors when you could pay $200, or even less, to do a show where the line to get in stretches around the block?

   Juliet says:
   Wow, it has been quite a week watching this conversation develop. It is nice to hear from all sides of this debate. Annie thanks for being such an advocate for the community.

   I can honestly see where someone from outside of the “alt-craft” movement might be put off by an initial overview of the scene, or be offended that some of these artists are quite successful despite not having 3 degrees or 20 years experience. It has not always been possible for serious crafters and hobby crafters to sell in the same venues. Maybe this is a case of one bad apple spoiling the bunch for Bruce?

   I know my work is not FINE craft, but I am honored to have the chance to sell right along with jewelers like Annie and Megan. This movement is as much about the ideas as the workmanship. Sometimes the idea outweighs the workmanship and vice versa… No mater our level of experience, we should be grateful to outlets like Etsy that we all get a chance to make a sell what we love in an attempt to make a living.

   I kind of look at this alt-craft movement argument as reminiscent of the uproar over the beginning of Impressionism in 19th century France or even Rock-n-Roll in 1950’s America. Sometimes cultures need to think outside the box in order to evolve.

   Margaux says:
   I was one of the ‘New Wave Craft Artists’ at ACC and admittedly had (and am still having) mixed emotions about the experience. I was really excited about the show beforehand: ecstatic for the opportunity to have been accepted to - and be able to afford - to take part in such an established, reputable craft show. However, I was quickly surprised and discouraged by all the drama surrounding this new initiative.

   I have fond memories of attending the ACC show as a student… feeling immensely inspired by the exhibitors with metalsmithing skills FAR beyond my grasp at the time. I saw these people as my heros, living examples of what I could someday achieve! I wanted to be just like them: making a living doing what I love. I thought I had found MY people.

   That said, I also remember feeling distinctly overlooked and ignored by MANY exhibitors upon entering their booths. Because I was obviously young, it was assumed I was not a buyer and therefore not ‘important’ enough to pay attention to. It’s true, I was a student, there to admire. And of course I understand it’s a buying venue and they are there to make sales. However I still feel that a simple “hello” or even a smile would have sufficed. I made a promise to myself then and there that I would never become one of THOSE artists. I would, at the very least, acknowledge all those who chose to “enter my booth” be they student, buyer, admirer, etc.

   Years later, I attended my first ever SNAG conference in Denver Colorado and experienced a similar mixture of jaw dropping awe/inspiration as well as disappointment. I was among many of the greats and jewelry artists I had long admired. Yet, the entire conference had a “secret society” air that for me felt very exclusionary. Even though I was wearing a badge with a gold star distinguishing me as a “First Time Attendee” not one “established” member introduced themselves. (I wonder if I may have had better luck mingling sans gold star?) Even though I had been supporting SNAG, Metalsmith magazine, and the Craft Council since college, the conference did not make me feel at all connected to “my field” or my peers. Truthfully, I have struggled with feelings about SNAG ever since.

   I’m a blogger, an etsy member, and most recently: a retail craft show vendor, though I have been exhibiting my work in galleries since graduating college with a BFA degree. Whatever you want to call it: indie, alt-craft, new wave, blahblah etc… I have never felt so accepted, embraced and connected as I do here amongst this community of crafters. I recognize there are those in the “establishment” who do care deeply about embracing new blood (and I believe based on his comments in this dialogue that Bruce Metcalf IS actually one of them) however they seem few and far between.

   Anyway, “right on” to all this. These conversations are what inspire me and others to become more involved in changing the craft organizations and finding ways to bridge the gap between the old skool and the new. Communication is key. It’s great that we can all share in our experiences and talk about our various viewpoints in such a respectful, open dialogue. There’s certainly no lack of PASSION regarding what we do and that alone makes me feel hopeful.

   jump in and let us know what you think.

5. Andrew Wagner Says:
   Mar. 14, 2008, at 2:57 pm

   Hello…I was the co-presenter with Bruce Metcalf at teh SNAG conference. Just thought I’d let you know that I posted a bit on this whole topic on our site including a bit of the back-story about how this all came to be (Bruce’s and my talk) and a very interesting response to all of this from Garth Johnson from extremecraft.com. Check it out if you have a moment:

   http://americancraftmag.org/index.php

   Oh yeah, we just updated our whole site to reflect the current issue of American Craft that just came out and it looks pretty damn good if I do say so myself! Enjoy!

6. Nancy Says:
   Mar. 14, 2008, at 5:08 pm

   I think a lot of this ‘annoyance’ could have been avoided had the council jury screened the applicants better, and had the same ‘call to artists’ announcements. We’ve been working, professionally, for 7 years. A few of us in the New Wave section have had experience in a venue similar to the ACC show, with a much more professional setup (I speak of the One of a Kind Show here in Chicago - We’ve had a booth there for 5 years now).

   In the OOAK Show call for Emerging Artists (and I believe it is still handled this way) you have to be in business for less than 3 years. They have an application for you to fill out, and you are still required to submit slides or digital media, along with a short statement. Booth fee is reduced significantly, and your booth space reflects that.

   The ACC show also needs to resolve whether or not it wants to become a ‘marketplace’ of fine art/craft, or an exhibition space for self-representing artists & artisans.

7. Kate Black Says:
   Mar. 14, 2008, at 5:39 pm

   This was an awesome article!

   I’m glad to learn more about the ACC show. I received an invite which I couldn’t accept because I would’ve been moving my studio at the time. I hope the organizers learn from this and give more thought to the “New Wave” ghettoization. Ditching the calico for bold colors & sleek design deserves better than a back corner.

8. Caitlin Says:
   Mar. 14, 2008, at 8:16 pm

   As an indie crafter and a first time “regular” exhibitor at ACC this year, I am really invested in this whole topic. I’d like to comment specifically on what Margaux said about some of the exhibitors at ACC being unfriendly to her as a customer. I had the same thing happen to me too, and it was very frustrating. I’m a shopper too! When I take a break from my booth to go shop at Renegade or Crafty Bastards, everyone is awesome. Some of these old time exhibitors should try reaching out to a younger audience, they may find that the customer dollars don’t seem spread as thin when they’re nice to everyone.

   Funnily enough, the exhibitors that were the nicest to me as a customer were also the most open minded about the New Wave section. Imagine that.

9. Freshie Says:
   Mar. 17, 2008, at 10:09 pm

   Great stuff. I love your perspective on the show as a complete outsider. I am sure had I been there I would have agreed completely. The ACC show sounds like most of the “high craft” shows that I get rejected from. When will they realize that customers are ready for something new, and that doesn’t mean a hand dyed silk jacket?

10. Jen Says:
    Mar. 18, 2008, at 10:12 am

    As a 30 something who has spent close to half of her life around fine craft and crafters, only to recently find myself knee-deep in the indie community, I can easily see both sides of this argument. I have traveled to most of the most prestigious shows in the country, and seen work that made my jaw drop, made me willing to mortgage my home to own it, inspired me to devote much of my carreer to promoting the craft industry. And, I will add, that I have found the fine craft community to be a generous and friendly group of people, who have in many senses built the road that the indie community of today is now cruising down.

    On the flip side, I have found the indie crowd to be inspiring in many other ways. The overwhelming support of each other, the fearlessness which allows them to try new materials and subvert expectations, the lifestyle which actively promotes the rejection of mass production, the return to the beauty of objects made by hand, the support of independent businesses - these all mesh so perfectly with my own beliefs that it is impossible for me to not support this movement as well.

    Overall, this discussion saddens me. I believe that the broad category of “handmade” and all of the social benefits that come with it is only weakened by the attempt to separate out some very talented and qualified indie craftspeople simply because they are too young or don’t have the right “pedigree.” After all, who will be the future of craft in America?

11. Ashley Pickin Says:
    Mar. 31, 2008, at 11:37 am

    This was a great article. I couldn’t make it to the show this year(the four hour drive was a little too much for me, being sick..)

    But this really shows what I have been feeling all along. I too get snob nosed looks when I enter a booth. I always figured that it was because I was younger, and now I know it is. Maybe some of the older crafting generations should warm up to us. Our money is just as good as any other money. And I’m sad to hear that the “new wave” section was shoved in a corner.. looks like you can barely move around!

    Maybe they will learn from this experience and change things up a little for next year. Fingers crossed!

12. Burton Isenstein Says:
    Apr. 28, 2008, at 10:21 pm

    It looks like I’ve come to this discussion kind of late but as a long time exhibitor at ACC shows I have a slightly different perspective to offer. The space set up for the New Wave section was an afterthought of an afterthought and ACC should have been embarrassed.

    ACC is an organization that many of us have been stuck with for years and it has been way too slow to change. It’s wholesale market has disintegrated and it’s retail market is stagnant. If you had frank conversations with many regular exhibitors you would find artists who have been frustrated with the organization for years.

    The jurying process is problematic, the overall quality of work shown is problematic, the expense of the shows is problematic, being stuck in the 1980’s is problematic. My guess would be that if there was any bad vibe felt by the new wavers, it had more to do with exhibitors annoyance with ACC and their method of introducing the new wave section than anything personally felt towards the new exhibitors.

    ACC’s audience and membership is collectively aging and they are badly in need of new blood for both exhibitors and audience. I know there is a lot of great work being made by the indie community and encourage you to infiltrate ACC. I hope you’ll bring some badly needed vitality and an expanded audience to their shows.

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