Studio Craft at Indiana University

The American Studio Craft movement emphasizes the process of creation, value of handcrafted goods, and individuality of artist-craftsman. The movement has lasted from the early 20th century through present day, beginning as a reaction to the post-Civil War Industrial Revolution, continuing as a response to the post-WWII Machine Age, and eventually yielding nationwide exhibitions and museums focused solely on studio artists and their craft. Key figures of the movement include George Nakashima, Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof, Peter Voulkos, Maija Grotell, and IU faculty artist Alma Eikerman. Karl Martz, Joan Sterrenburg, and Budd Stalnaker all engaged with the American Studio Craft movement throughout their pedagogical and studio art careers.

Studio craft often involved individuals with a background in formal artistic training. Schools like the Black Mountain College, Cranbrook Art Academy, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Crafts, and Rhode Island School of Design helped propel the American Studio Craft movement with their focused instruction on the decorative arts. Karl Martz attended a symposium at the Black Mountain College, for example, and Joan Sterrenburg was a faculty artist for several of the institutions.

The 1969 exhibition Objects: USA marked a pivotal moment of the American Studio Crafts movement. The exhibition featured 300 works of studio craft of various media, including ceramics, fibers, and metalwork. Objects: USA opened in 1969 in Washington, DC, and traveled to 22 American museums and 11 European institutions. The exhibition was accompanied by a catalog along with the documentary film, With These Hands (see below). Budd Stalnaker's Magenta Cartouche was featured in the original exhibition and 1970 catalog. The exhibition was revived 50 years later when New York City gallery R & Company opened Objects: USA 2020, including 50 contemporary artists in addition to 50 artists from the original exhibition. This exhibition also featured Stalnaker and his work Flying Form II. R & Company went on to establish the exhibition as a triennial with Objects: USA 2024, which featured 55 contemporary artists.