Carolyn Mazloomi’s practice is deeply rooted in social documentation and activism. As the founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network and the African American Quilt Guild, Mazloomi has been instrumental in shaping the national discourse regarding quilting as a respected contemporary art form, belonging in the Artistic canon.

“Quilts possess a fundamental human imprint as the fabric itself holds the touch, time, labor, and stories of the lives depicted. Textiles have an inherent humanity. The histories of the people I portray are sewn into the fabric itself. My works speak on behalf of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard”.     – C. Mazloomi

 

Video credit: Daniel Morrison

“I’m willing to put almost anything into a piece of jewelry if I think it works!”

As artist, teacher, author, lecturer and collector, Ramona Solberg is a pioneer in the contemporary jewelry movement and a Living Treasure. Her passionate interest in other cultures and a lifetime spent finding objects of interest in all corners of the map has led her to a distinct and personal style that transcends her modernist background. Rarely using precious materials in her jewelry, Solberg conveys new meaning and value onto a collage of cultural flotsam culled from her travels. Raised in Seattle, with degrees from the University of Washington and study abroad in Norway and Mexico, Ramona Solberg places a high value on her career as a teacher. An important aspect of her legacy will be the many artists of significance who count her as inspiration, influence and mentor.

Beginning as an art teacherRamona Solberg necklace in Seattle Public Schools, she later served on the faculties of Central Washington University and the University of Washington. Retired from the University of Washington in 1983, she still teaches and lectures in workshops around the nation.

Ramona Solberg’s work can be found in the collection of the Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Museum of Contemporary Craft, and many other museums and private collections. She is a Fellow and Trustee Emeritus of the American Craft Council, and past recipient of the Washington State Governor’s Art Award.

This documentary profile is second in the Living Treasures video series, sponsored and produced by the Northwest Designer Craftsmen. Living Treasures documents the work, philosophy and achievements of some of the Northwest’s most venerable and influential artisans and crafts advocates.

“More than anyone, Russell set an example of what it was to live a life that revolved around art.” Dale Chihuly

As an art educator for over 30 years, Russell Day influenced the lives of many. Believing the aesthetic experience extends to every aspect of life, he inspired his students to engage all their senses, experience their total environment, and to strive for excellence. Russell Day’s teaching had such incredible impact because his subject was much larger than the classroom. It was not about how to make art but how to be an artist.Russell Day jewelry piece

From 1948 to 1976 he led an innovative art department at Everett Community College that became a model program in the field of post-secondary art education. The rigorous system that he built produced many fine artists including celebrated painter Chuck Close. In his personal art, Day was the first Northwest artist to work experimentally with glass and light modulation. With no literature available, or access to facilities and supplies, he experimented extensively, fusing every kind of glass he could find into monumental concrete walls, glass doors, fountains, lighting and intricate jewelry for the table and body. In this realm he was an early mentor for Dale Chihuly.

This documentary profile is third in the Living Treasures video series, sponsored and produced by Northwest Designer Craftsmen. Living Treasures documents the work, philosophy and achievements of the Northwest’s most influential senior craft professionals.

Artist Helen Hiebert reflects on her career in hand papermaking and and discusses her artistic process, as part of the exhibition Legacies in Paper.

Legacies in Paper is an exhibit celebrating the lifelong exploration of hand papermaking in the artworks of Nancy Cohen, Sara Garden Armstrong, and Helen Hiebert, significant pioneers in developing paper as an artistic and sculptural medium.

Legacies in Paper was on display at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, GA from September 4, 2025 – January 30, 2026.

Marcus Mitchell, former Making Whole apprentice turned concrete lead and mentor, shares a portion of his recovery story and speaks to the magic this program can offer when you both surrender and commit to the process.

M&S Schmalberg Flowers

A glimpse into the handmade process at M&S Schmalberg, the last remaining fabric flower factory in the United States. Starting with a simple piece of fabric, the video follows the transformation through vintage die cutting, embossing, and hand assembly, ending with a finished flower made entirely by hand in New York City.

April Zilber makes musical glass bell plates with fused glass and metal foil. Each bell plate is tuned to two notes. Depending on the ratio of length to width, the notes make the musical interval of a minor third, major third, fourth, fifth, and so on. More information @aprilzilberglass .

Meet the artist in person at the fabulous ACGA Clay & Glass Festival is coming back to the Palo Alto Art Center the weekend of July 11-12, 2026 with 130+ of California’s most celebrated artists.

Come for the art, stay for the Throwdown and demos. Valet parking, food trucks, and Clay for All.  More information @theacga

Every piece has a story, and at the festival, you get to hear it directly from the makers themselves.

Discover work from 130+ juried California artists and find pieces that speak to you, whether you’re a longtime collector or buying your very first handmade work.

#MeetTheArtists #ClayAndGlassFestival #CaliforniaArtists #Handwork2026

Explore the artistic process and inspiration of textile artist Holly Guertin in this PA Fibershed Meet the Makers member highlight. Here, Guertin is working on artworks that are included in her debut solo exhibition, Hand in Hand, at Waterworks Visual Arts Center with Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026 by Craft in America.

This video series by PA Fibershed offers an in-depth look at Pennsylvania’s textile value chain, sustainable textiles, and the growing movement to rebuild a local, regenerative fiber economy. Discover how makers like Holly are reimagining textile design through upcycling, natural fibers, and circular fashion practices, while actively contributing to a more resilient and regionally based textile system.

Explore Holly’s work:https://hollyguertin.com/

Learn more about PA Fibershed: https://pafibershed.org/

“The purpose of art is to create wonder”.

Over 50 years ago Harold Balazs quit his day-job. Armed with talent, ambition, an art degree, and an acetylene torch, he set out to make a living making art in Spokane, Washington. He has succeeded, but not without struggle. Mastering the economics of an artist’s life led him to master an incredible array of media. Harold Balazs is a sculptor, a painter, an enamelist, a jeweler, a woodcarver, a calligrapher, a public artist and more. He defies categorization.

Balazs’ architectural and public works can be seen all over the Northwest. His contributions to architecturally integrated art, often utilizing new materials and techniques, helped revive the importance of the individual craftsman at a time when civic architecture seemed its most anonymous. His collaborations with important regional architects have made an indelible impression on Northwest architecture. By the mid 1960’s Harold Balazs had become the leading liturgical artist in the Northwest.Harold Balazs artwork

His experience in public art led to three terms as a Washington State Arts Commissioner. He helped draft Washington State’s “percent for art” legislation.

Harold Balazs is internationally known for his large-scale enamels on steel. His ingenious techniques and ability to adapt studio practice to industrial settings has broadened the approach many artists use in enameling, expanding the possibilities for the medium.

Through his wide ranging artwork, his technical innovations, his generosity towards other artists and his omnivorous humanism, Harold Balazs has made himself an asset in the arts. His story is of value to us all.

Artist Nancy Cohen reflects on her career in hand papermaking and discusses her artistic process, as part of the exhibition Legacies in Paper.

Legacies in Paper is an exhibit celebrating the lifelong exploration of hand papermaking in the artworks of Nancy Cohen, Sara Garden Armstrong, and Helen Hiebert, significant pioneers in developing paper as an artistic and sculptural medium.

Legacies in Paper was on display at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, GA from September 4, 2025 – January 30, 2026.

“Nordic Echoes: Tradition in Contemporary Art” is a traveling exhibit at Scandinavia House in New York City, New York, shedding light on Upper Midwest artists preserving Nordic folk arts and cultural traditions. The exhibit will travel through the six upper midwestern states and feature 24 contemporary artists whose works are informed by Nordic traditions in nature and innovative in other ways.

The American Scandinavian Foundation, whose mission is to foster understanding between the Nordic countries, opened, in 2000, Scandinavia House, which is where the exhibition takes place. The exhibit aims to engage and interest people in preserving and learning these traditions.

108|Contemporary presents the virtual tour of the FiberWorks 2024 exhibition.

FiberWorks 2024 was held at 108|Contemporary June 7 – July 20, 2024 and showcases a variety of work by Oklahoma fiber artists. Juried by Shin-hee Chin, this eclectic exhibition honors quality workmanship and original design and features work by members of the Fiber Artists of Oklahoma guild.

For more information visit: https://108contemporary.org/event/fiberworks-2024/

An intimate look at a creative partnership decades in the making, this Exhibition Insights episode explores the life, work, and legacy of George and David Lewis. Reflecting on their journey from the 1980s to today, the episode highlights how their shared passions—for art, gardens, architectural history, and water features—grew into a deeply rooted creative practice.

Through personal reflections and a look at their iconic designs and sculptures, we step into their artistic process and enduring partnership. Tied to their retrospective “Deeply Rooted,” this episode honors not only their body of work, but their lasting impact on the Bainbridge Island community and beyond.

The Workhouse Arts Center, a historic landmark transformed into a thriving hub for contemporary art and craft. We invite viewers to explore our dynamic campus, where the “handwork” of 2026 comes alive through professional artist studios, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on art and craft education programs.

From intricate technical demonstrations to the broad variety of our public attractions, our mission is to foster a diverse and accessible community for the arts in America.

Artist Helen Hiebert reflects on her career in hand papermaking and and discusses her artistic process, as part of the exhibition Legacies in Paper.

Legacies in Paper is an exhibit celebrating the lifelong exploration of hand papermaking in the artworks of Nancy Cohen, Sara Garden Armstrong, and Helen Hiebert, significant pioneers in developing paper as an artistic and sculptural medium.

Legacies in Paper was on display at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, GA from September 4, 2025 – January 30, 2026.

108|Contemporary presents the Virtual Tour of Alicia Kelly’s solo exhibition, “Roughly Right” on view February 6 – March 21, 2026.

Roughly Right infuses the act of turning process into ritual, repetition into meditation, and soft shadows into alternative architecture. Sitting at the intersection of drawing and sculpture, this exhibition emphasizes the importance of the handmade wavering line and the conversation between layers of paper, pattern and body.

More information can be found at 108contemporary.org

Artist Sara Garden Armstrong reflects on her career in hand papermaking and discusses her artistic process, as part of the exhibition Legacies in Paper.

Legacies in Paper is an exhibit celebrating the lifelong exploration of hand papermaking in the artworks of Nancy Cohen, Sara Garden Armstrong, and Helen Hiebert, significant pioneers in developing paper as an artistic and sculptural medium.

Legacies in Paper was on display at the Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking in Atlanta, GA from September 4, 2025 – January 30, 2026.

The Workhouse Arts Center, a historic landmark transformed into a thriving hub for contemporary art and craft. We invite viewers to explore our dynamic campus, where the “handwork” of 2026 comes alive through professional artist studios, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on art and craft education programs.

From intricate technical demonstrations to the broad variety of our public attractions, our mission is to foster a diverse and accessible community for the arts in America.

Celebrating and documenting 40 years of collaboration and friendship, this video tells the tale of South Shore Stitchers Quilt Guild through interviews with many of its members.  This includes some of its Charter Members who joined in 1985.  The guild has a long history of doing charity work as well as providing education to local people, including children.

We have an annual Sew-In on International Quilt Day, which is the third Saturday in March.  We have monthly Comfort Quilt workshops where members and friends make quilts for children and shared with local law enforcement, hospitals, and other places where children may be in need.  We also make Adult Clothing Covers (bibs) for nursing homes, wheelchair & walker bags, pillow cases that we donate to Ryan’s Case for Smiles, and we make Fidget Quilts for dementia patients and children with learning disabilities.  We have monthly meetings with speakers or other programs to benefit our members so they can share their talents with others.  Many of our members are involved in the South Jersey Chapter of Quilts of Valor, too.

We also have a biennial quilt show where we display to the public over 200 pieces of our work, as well as hourly demonstrations of quilting techniques, lots of shopping opportunities, and special exhibits where we invite related groups to feature the work that they do.

Carolyn Mazloomi’s practice is deeply rooted in social documentation and activism. As the founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network and the African American Quilt Guild, Mazloomi has been instrumental in shaping the national discourse regarding quilting as a respected contemporary art form, belonging in the Artistic canon.

“Quilts possess a fundamental human imprint as the fabric itself holds the touch, time, labor, and stories of the lives depicted. Textiles have an inherent humanity. The histories of the people I portray are sewn into the fabric itself. My works speak on behalf of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard”.     – C. Mazloomi

 

Video credit: Daniel Morrison

Baltimore Clayworks is a community-centered ceramics institution in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Our organization was founded by nine artists in 1980 and in 1984 received its nonprofit 501(c)3 status.

We are known for our attentiveness to our city, and possess a national and international reputation for artistic excellence, artists’ support, and community involvement. We envision a welcoming and creative community where all people can access and experience joy through clay.

Our mission is to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding educational, artistic, and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts. Its core values are artist-centeredness, excellence, inclusivity, integrity, and joy.

Watch as we take you inside the studios—and the vibrant community—of Pittsburgh Glass Center, located in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Celebrating 25 years in 2026, Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) is a nonprofit, public access glass art center where anyone can take classes, explore the contemporary glass gallery, shop for glass gifts, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations.

Since its opening, PGC has educated over 750,000 individuals, contributed to the ongoing development of the city’s East End, and made Pittsburgh a significant hub in the international studio glass community. A multimillion-dollar expansion in 2024 nearly doubled its capacity, allowing it to meet the increasing demand for glass programs and studios.

PGC continues to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages everyone, from the casually curious to the master artist, to learn, create, and be inspired by glass.

25 years: Still Glowing, Still Growing

M&S Schmalberg Flowers

A glimpse into the handmade process at M&S Schmalberg, the last remaining fabric flower factory in the United States. Starting with a simple piece of fabric, the video follows the transformation through vintage die cutting, embossing, and hand assembly, ending with a finished flower made entirely by hand in New York City.

In this short video, Hannah and Alana of Nicholson van Altena Glass create a California Poppy Vessel from their Cactus Vessel Series. During the video, Alana explains how the women began their journey in glass and what they hope to achieve with their artwork.

Originally presented on Zoom Sunday, April 26 2026

We will take a look at the key work that has shaped Kristina’s career as an artist to date. This talk is open to the public and part of Handwork 2026. Kristina is a minimalist ceramic artist based in Tacoma and Los Alamos, CA, making sculptural and functional work, incorporating concepts and ideas from social commentary and has been in the NWDC since 2023.

The Workhouse Arts Center, a historic landmark transformed into a thriving hub for contemporary art and craft. We invite viewers to explore our dynamic campus, where the “handwork” of 2026 comes alive through professional artist studios, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on art and craft education programs.

From intricate technical demonstrations to the broad variety of our public attractions, our mission is to foster a diverse and accessible community for the arts in America.

Watch as we take you inside the studios—and the vibrant community—of Pittsburgh Glass Center, located in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Celebrating 25 years in 2026, Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) is a nonprofit, public access glass art center where anyone can take classes, explore the contemporary glass gallery, shop for glass gifts, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations.

Since its opening, PGC has educated over 750,000 individuals, contributed to the ongoing development of the city’s East End, and made Pittsburgh a significant hub in the international studio glass community. A multimillion-dollar expansion in 2024 nearly doubled its capacity, allowing it to meet the increasing demand for glass programs and studios.

PGC continues to cultivate an inclusive and welcoming environment that encourages everyone, from the casually curious to the master artist, to learn, create, and be inspired by glass.

25 years: Still Glowing, Still Growing

Baltimore Clayworks is a community-centered ceramics institution in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Our organization was founded by nine artists in 1980 and in 1984 received its nonprofit 501(c)3 status.

We are known for our attentiveness to our city, and possess a national and international reputation for artistic excellence, artists’ support, and community involvement. We envision a welcoming and creative community where all people can access and experience joy through clay.

Our mission is to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding educational, artistic, and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts. Its core values are artist-centeredness, excellence, inclusivity, integrity, and joy.

This video highlights the breadth of opportunities available in Pittsburgh, PA to see, make, and buy craft.

M&S Schmalberg Flowers

A glimpse into the handmade process at M&S Schmalberg, the last remaining fabric flower factory in the United States. Starting with a simple piece of fabric, the video follows the transformation through vintage die cutting, embossing, and hand assembly, ending with a finished flower made entirely by hand in New York City.

Lowell’s Boat Shop builds and restores wooden boats for clients as we’ve done since 1793, but we also teach a variety of classes to welcome both beginners and experienced woodworkers who want to hone their skills. The week-long class for adults featured in this video is “Building the Peapod Dory“, and we look to give each student the opportunity to put their hand in every step of the building process as the boat comes together.

Other classes we’ve had in the recent past include make-your-own charcuterie board, building a toolbox, basic navigation on the water, and building a kid-sized rocking boat (similar to a rocking horse).

Explore the handmade and embrace your inner maker with hands-on workshops, meet-ups, and lectures on the past, present, and future of Nordic handcraft at the American Swedish Institute.

These programs invite makers of all backgrounds to build community, practice folk arts, and share innovative and creative approaches to woodcarving, basketry, textiles, and more, inspired by the Swedish tradition of slöjd.

In this short video, Hannah and Alana of Nicholson van Altena Glass create a California Poppy Vessel from their Cactus Vessel Series. During the video, Alana explains how the women began their journey in glass and what they hope to achieve with their artwork.

Learn more about the art of grannlåtsbroderi, a traditional Swedish embroidery technique that translates to “finery embroidery,” with visiting instructor Emma Ewadotter.

Hear Emma’s inspiration behind her art, how it connects to her Swedish heritage, and the importance of playfulness in the process of creating art.

“I incorporate everything that glitters and shimmers into my embroidery because life is too dull without it.”
— Emma Ewadotter

Nest is a nonprofit that understands the importance of handcraft and the meaning it can hold for every life it touches. By uplifting and investing in diverse artisans, their stories, and their handcraft, Nest creates ripples of impact that ensure the world is not only more beautiful, but more equitable and sustainable too.

Informed by artisan and maker perspectives, Nest’s programs are thoughtfully designed to prepare creative entrepreneurs with the training, resources, and opportunities they need to grow and sustain their businesses. And, the best part is – all are provided at no cost for makers and artisans ensuring accessibility, equitable, and sustainable access!

Visit buildanest.org to learn more!

The Workhouse Arts Center, a historic landmark transformed into a thriving hub for contemporary art and craft. We invite viewers to explore our dynamic campus, where the “handwork” of 2026 comes alive through professional artist studios, immersive exhibitions, and hands-on art and craft education programs.

From intricate technical demonstrations to the broad variety of our public attractions, our mission is to foster a diverse and accessible community for the arts in America.

Baltimore Clayworks is a community-centered ceramics institution in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Our organization was founded by nine artists in 1980 and in 1984 received its nonprofit 501(c)3 status.

We are known for our attentiveness to our city, and possess a national and international reputation for artistic excellence, artists’ support, and community involvement. We envision a welcoming and creative community where all people can access and experience joy through clay.

Our mission is to develop, sustain, and promote an artist-centered community that provides outstanding educational, artistic, and collaborative programs in the ceramic arts. Its core values are artist-centeredness, excellence, inclusivity, integrity, and joy.