The Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts In America
About the Project
Since 2000, the Archives of American Art has received substantial grants from Nanette L. Laitman of New York, through the William and Mildred Lasdon Foundation, for the creation of the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America, an important program to document the life and work of America’s leading craft artists. Over the course of the project the Archives will record and transcribe 100 oral history interviews with key figures in American craft. The grant will also support a major campaign to collect the papers of prominent artists working in clay, glass, fiber, metal and wood.
This national documentation project will be realized in association with the Museum of Arts & Design [formerly American Craft Museum]. Donor Nanette L. Laitman stated, “It is a great pleasure for me to support an initiative that unites the museum, of which I am a long-time supporter, to the Archives’ project, ensuring the longevity of our craft heritage.”
Oral history interviews of the major figures in the craft field will provide a permanent record of their reminiscences of the aesthetic visions and technical innovations that have defined the craft movement in America. These firsthand accounts will also shed light on the philosophical roots of craft education, the development of the American craft market, and issues of patronage and influence. The project will illuminate new avenues of inquiry for researchers by placing these collections and interviews within a broader context of the history of the visual arts.
With her gift to the Archives, Nanette L. Laitman has made an unparalleled contribution to preserving the primary records of American craft and laying the groundwork for future research.
For further information about this project, contact:
Liza Kirwin
Deputy Director, Archives of American Art
KirwinL@si.edu
Transcripts of Interviews
Joyce
Anderson (b.1923)
Woodworker, Morristown, NJ
Interview of Joyce Anderson conducted by Donna Gold, September 17 and 18, 2002
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 50 pages.
Ralph
Bacerra (b. 1938)
Ceramist, Eagle Rock, CA
Interview of Ralph Bacerra conducted by Frank Lloyd, April 12 and 19, 2004
2 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 45 pages.
Dorothy
Gill Barnes (b. 1927)
Fiber artist, Worthington, OH
Interview of Dorothy Gill Barnes conducted by Joanne Cubbs, May 2 and 7, 2003
4 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 61 pages.
James Bassler (b. 1933)
Fiber Artist, San Pedro, CA
Interview of James Bassler conducted by Sharon Emmanuelli, February 11, 14 and April 9, 2002
7 audio cassettes; transcribed, 154 pages.
Garry
Knox Bennett (b. 1934)
Woodworker, Oakland, CA
Interview of Garry Knox Bennett conducted by Glenn Adamson, February 7 and 8, 2002
6 audio cassettes; transcribed, 144 pages.
J.
B. Blunk (1926 -2002)
Woodworker, Inverness, CA
Interview of J.B. Blunk conducted by Glenn Adamson, May 16, 2002
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 61 pages.
Irena
Brynner (1917-2003)
Metalsmith, New York City
Interview of Irena Brynner conducted by Arline M. Fisch, April 26 and 27, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 62 pages.
Joyce
Marquess Carey (b. 1936)
Quiltmaker, Madison, WI
Interview of Joyce Marquess Carey conducted by Glenn Adamson, June 16, 2002
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 80 pages.
Arthur
Espenet Carpenter (b. 1920)
Woodworker, Bolinas, CA.
Interview of Arthur Espenent Carpenter conducted Kathleen Hanna, June 20 and September 4, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 30 pages.
Fong
Chow (b. 1923)
Ceramist, New York, NY
Interview of Fong Chow conducted by Dr. Margaret Carney, February 2, 2002
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 31 pages.
Michael
Cohen (b. 1936)
Ceramist, Pelham, MA
Interview of Michael Cohen conducted by Gerry Williams, August 11, 2001
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 37 pages.
Nancy
Crow (b. 1943)
Quiltmaker, Baltimore, OH
Interview of Nancy Crow conducted by Jean Robertson, December 18, 2002
3 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 54 pages.
Frank
E. Cummings III (b. 1938)
Woodworker, Long Beach, CA
Interview of Frank E. Cummings III conducted by Jo Lauria, December 28, 2006 and January 5, 2007
4 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 74 pages.
Val
Cushing (b. 1931)
Ceramist, Alfred Station, NY
Interview of Val Cushing conducted by Dr. Margaret Carney, April 16, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 45 pages.
William
Daley (b. 1925)
Ceramist, Elkins Park, PA
Interview of William Daley conducted by Helen Drutt English, August 7, and December 2, 2004
5 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed 84 pages.
Dominic
Di Mare (b. 1932)
Fiber artist, Tiburon, CA
Interview of Dominic Di Mare conducted by Signe Mayfield, May 29, June 4 and 10, 2002
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 75 pages.
Ruth Duckworth (b. 1919)
Ceramist, Chicago, IL
Interview of Ruth Duckworth conducted by Kenneth Trapp, April 27, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 79 pages.
Robert
Ebendorf (b. 1938)
Metalsmith, Rosedale, NY
Interview of Robert Ebendorf conducted by Tacey Rosolowski, April 16-18, 2004
5 Digital Recordings; transcribed, 96 pages.
Carol Eckert (b. 1945)
Fiber artist, Tempe, AZ
Interview of Carol Eckert conducted by Jo Lauria, June 18 and 19, 2007
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 48 pages.
Tom Eckert (b. 1942)
Woodworker, Tempe, AZ
Interview of Tom Eckert conducted by Jo Lauria, June 19, 2007
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 44 pages.
Fred
Fenster (b. 1934)
Metalsmith, Sun Prarie, WI
Interview of Fred Fenster conducted by Jan Yager, August 9-10, 2004
6 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 119 pages.
Arline
M. Fisch (b. 1931)
Metalsmith, San Diego, CA
Interview of Arline M. Fisch conducted by Sharon Church, July 29 and 30, 2001
6 audio cassettes; transcribed, 94 pages.
Michael
Frimkess (b. 1937)
Ceramist, Venice, CA
Interview of Michael and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess conducted by Paul J. Karlstrom, March 8, 22, and April 17, 2001
6 audio cassettes; transcribed, 113 pages.
Gary
Griffith (b.1945)
Metalsmith, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Interview of Gary Griffith conducted by Glenn Adamson, August 4, 2004
5 Digital Recordings; transcribed, 73 pages.
Henry
Halem (b. 1938)
Glass, Kent, OH
Interview of Henry Halem conducted by William Warmus, May 14, 2005
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 81 pages.
William
Harper (b. 1944)
Enamelist, New York, NY
Interview of William Harper conducted by Harold B. Nelson, January 12-13, 2004
4 Digital Recordings; transcribed, 50 pages.
Peggie
L. Hartwell (b. 1939)
Quiltmaker, Summerville, SC
Interview of Peggie L. Hartwell conducted by Patricia Malarcher, June 3 and 10, 2002
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 83 pages.
Sheila Hicks (b.
1934)
Fiber Artist, Paris, France
Interview of Sheila Hicks conducted
by Monique L�vi-Strauss, February 3, 10 and March 11, 2004
Interview of Sheila Hicks conducted
by Cristobal Za�artu, March 18, 2004
7 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 141 pages.
Frances
Higgins (1912-2004)
Glass artist, Riverside, IL
Interview of Frances Higgins conducted by Glenn Adamson, November 8, 2003
1 digital recording disk; transcribed, 43 pages.
Ferne
Jacobs (b. 1942)
Fiber artist, Los Angeles, CA
Interview of Ferne Jacobs conducted by Mija Riedel, August 30-31, 2005
4 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 84 pages.
Michael
James (b. 1949)
Quiltmaker, Lincoln, NE
Interview of Michael James conducted by Patricia Harris and David Lyon, January 4 and 5, 2003
6 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 104 pages.
Michael
John Jerry (b. 1937)
Metalsmith, Santa Fe, NM
Interview of Michael John Jerry conducted by Jan Yager, November 15-16, 2004
7 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 159 pages.
Jun
Kaneko (b. 1942)
Ceramist, Omaha, NE
Interview of Jun Kaneko conducted by Mary McInnes, May 23-24, 2005
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 43 pages.
Karen
Karnes (b.1925)
Ceramist, Morgan, VT
Interview of Karen Karnes conducted by Mark Shapiro, August 9, 2005
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 65 pages.
William
Keyser, Jr. (b. 1936)
Woodworker, Victor, NY
Interview of William Keyser, Jr. conducted by Edward S. Cooke, April 25 and May 2, 2003
6 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 107 pages.
L.
Brent Kington (b. 1934)
Metalsmith, Makanda, IL
Interview of L. Brent Kington conducted by Mary Douglas, May 3 and 4, 2001
7 audio cassettes; transcribed 82 pages.
Silas
Kopf (b. 1949)
Woodworker, Northhampton, MA
Interview of Silas Kopf conducted by Edward S. Cooke Jr., November 1, 2004
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed 59 pages.
James Krenov (b. 1920)
Woodworker, Fort Bragg, CA
Interview of James Krenov conducted by Oscar Fitzgerald, August 12-13, 2004
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 38 pages.
Earl
Krentzin (b. 1929)
Metalsmith, Grosse Point Farms, MI
Interview of Earl Krentzin conducted by Jan Yager, August 30 and 31, 2002
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 48 pages.
Jack
Lenor Larsen (b. 1927)
Fiber artist, East Hampton, NY
Interview of Jack Lenor Larsen conducted by Arline M. Fisch, February 6-8, 2004
7 Digital Recordings; transcribed, 78 pages.
Marilyn
Levine (b. 1935)
Ceramist, Oakland, CA
Interview of Marilyn Levine conducted by Glenn Adamson, May 15, 2002
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 65 pages.
Marvin
Lipofsky (b. 1938)
Glass artist, Berkeley, CA
Interview of Marvin Lipofsky conducted by Paul J. Karlstrom, July 30-31 and August 5, 2003
6 digital recording disks
Harvey
K. Littleton (b. 1922)
Glass artist, Spruce Pine, NC
Interview of Harvey K. Littleton conducted by Joan F. Byrd, March 15, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 36 pages.
Warren
MacKenzie (b. 1924)
Ceramist, Stillwater, MN
Interview of Warren MacKenzie conducted by Robert Silberman, October 29, 2002
3 digital recording disks; transcribed, 45 pages.
John
Marshall (b. 1936)
Metalsmith, Edmonds, WA
Interview of John Marshall conducted by Lloyd E. Herman, April 5, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 55 pages.
John Mason (b. 1927)
Ceramist, New York, NY
Interview of John Mason conducted by Paul Smith, August 28, 2006
5 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 47 pages.
Carolyn
Mazloomi (b. 1948)
Fiber artist, West Chester, OH
Interview of Carolyn Mazloomi conducted by Joanne Cubbs, September 17 and 30, 2002
4 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 51 pages.
Judy Kensley
McKie (b. 1944)
Furniture maker, Cambridge, MA
Interview of Judy Kensley McKie conducted by Edward S. Cooke, Jr., November 22, 2004
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 88 pages.
Nan
McKinnell (b. 1913)
Ceramist, Fort Collins, CO
Interview of Nan McKinnell conducted by Kathy Holt, June 12 and 13, 2005
2 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 80 pages.
James
Melchert (b. 1930)
Ceramist, Oakland, CA
Interview of James Melchert conducted by Renny Pritikin, September 18, and 19, 2002
3 mini discs; transcribed, 45 pages.
John
Paul Miller (b. 1918)
Metalsmith, Brecksville, OH
Interview of John Paul Miller conducted by Jan Yager, August 22-23, 2004
6 mini discs; transcribed, 104 pages.
Norma
Minkowitz (b. 1937)
Fiber artist, Westport, CT
Interview of Norma Minkowitz conducted by Patricia Malarcher, September 17 and November 16, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 40 pages.
Ed
Moulthrop (1916-2003)
Woodworker, Atlanta, GA
Interview of Ed Moulthrop conducted by Mary Douglas, April 2, 2001
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 44 pages.
Ron
Nagle (b. 1939)
Ceramic artist, San Francisco, CA
Interview of Ron Nagle conducted by Bill Berkson, July 8-9, 2003
3 digital recording disks; transcribed, 77 pages.
Tony
Natsoulas (b. 1949)
Ceramist, Sacramento, CA
Interview of Tony Natsoulas conducted by Liza Kirwin, August 9, 11, 2004
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed 65 pages.
Walter
Nottingham (b. 1930)
Fiber artist, Hilo, HI
Interview of Walter Nottingham conducted by Carol Owen, July 14, 15 and 18, 2002
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 28 pages.
Jere
Osgood (b. 1936)
Woodworker, Wilton, NH
Interview of Jere Osgood conducted by Donna Gold, September 19 and October 1, 2001
7 audio cassettes; transcribed, 75 pages.
Rude
Osolnik (1915-2001)
Woodworker, Berea, KY
Interview of Rude Osolnik conducted by Mary Douglas, May 1, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 38 pages.
Alice Kagawa Parrott (b. 1929)
Fiber artist, Santa Fe, NM
Interview of Alice Kagawa Parrott conducted by Paul J. Smith, July 10, 2005
2 Digital Recording discs; transcribed, 37 pages.
Susan
Peterson (b. 1925)
Ceramicist, Carefree, AZ
Interview of Susan Peterson conducted by Paul J. Smith, March 1, 2004
4 digital recordings; transcribed, 63 pages.
Raymond
Charles Pierotti (b. 1932)
Former director of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tenn,
Seattle, WA
Interview of Raymond Charles Pierotti conducted by Lloyd Herman, September 4, 2005
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 30 pages.
Eugene
Pijanowski (b. 1938)
Metalsmith, Honolulu, HI
Interview of Eugene Pijanowski conducted by Arline M. Fisch, May 13-14, 2003
5 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 84 pages.
Hiroko
Sato Pijanowski (b. 1942)
Metalsmith, Honolulu, HI
Interview of Hiroko Sato Pijanowski conducted by Arline M. Fisch, May 13-15, 2003
6 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed 112 pages.
Eugene
and Hiroko Pijanowski
Metalsmiths, Honolulu, HI
Combined interview of Eugene and Hiroko Pijanowski conducted by Arline M. Fisch, May 15-16, 2003
4 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 94 pages.
Merry
Renk (b. 1921)
Metalsmith, painter, San Francisco, CA
Interview of Merry Renk conducted by Arline M. Fisch, January 18, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 49 pages.
Richard Ritter (b. 1940)
Glass artist, Bakersville, NC
Interview of Richard Ritter conducted by Joan Falconer Byrd, August 2, 2005
3 Digital recording discs; transcribed, 87 pages.
Ed Rossbach (1914-2002)
Fiber artist, Berkeley, CA
Interview of Ed Rossbach conducted by Carole Austin, August 27, 28, and 29, 2002
7 mini discs; transcribed, 79 pages.
Finalized; not available online. Patron must use Archives copy.
Mary
Ann Scherr (b. 1931)
Jeweler, Raleigh, NC
Interview of Mary Ann Scherr conducted by Mary Douglas, April 6 and 7, 2001
5 audio cassettes; transcribed, 87 pages.
Marjorie
Schick (b. 1941)
Metalsmith, Pittsburg, KS
Interview of Marjorie Schick conducted by Tacey Rosolowski, April 4, 2004
4 Digital Recordings; transcribed, 79 pages.
Cynthia Schira (b.
1934)
Fiber artist, Westport, NY
Interview of Cynthia Schira conducted by Margo Mensing, July 25 and 26, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 54 pages.
Ruth
Adler Schnee (b. 1923)
Textile designer, Southfield, MI
Interview of Ruth Adler Schnee conducted by Anita Schnee, November 24-30, 2002
9 Digital Recording Disks; transcribed, 145 pages.
June Schwarcz (b.
1918)
Metalsmith, Sausalito, CA
Interview of June Schwarcz conducted by Arline M. Fisch, January 27, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 72 pages.
Kay Sekimachi, see Stocksdale
Frances Senska (b.
1914)
Ceramist, Bozeman, MT
Interview of Frances Senska conducted by Donna Forbes, April 16, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 32 pages.
Heikki
Sepp� (b. 1927)
Jeweler, Bainbridge Island, WA
Interview of Heikki Sepp� conducted by Lloyd E. Herman, May 6, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 76 pages.
David
Shaner (1934 - 2002)
Ceramist, Big Fork, MT
Interview of David Shaner conducted by Gerry Williams, June 18, 2001
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 39 pages.
Peter
Shire (b. 1947)
Ceramist, Los Angeles, CA
Interview of Peter Shire conducted by Jo Lauria, September 18 and 19, 2007
4 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 77 pages.
Philip
Simmons (b. 1912)
Blacksmith, Charleston, SC
Interview of Philip Simmons conducted by Mary Douglas, April 4 and 5, 2001
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 43 pages.
Michael
Simon (b. 1947)
Ceramist, Colbert, Georgia
Interview of Michael Simon conducted by Mark Shapiro, September 27-28, 2005
3 digital recording discs; transcribed, 52 pages.
Ramona
Solberg (b. 1921)
Jeweler, Seattle, WA
Interview of Ramona Solberg conducted by Vicki Halper, March 23, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 36 pages.
Paul
Soldner (b. 1921)
Ceramist, Claremont, CA
Interview of Paul Soldner conducted by Mija Riedel, April 27-28, 2003
5 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 77 pages.
Paul
Stankard (b. 1943)
Glass artist, New York, NY
Interview of Paul Stankard conducted by Douglas Heller, June 9 and August 20, 2006
4 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 64 pages.
Bob
Stocksdale (1913-2003)
Woodworker, Berkeley, CA
Interview of Bob Stocksdale conducted by Signe Mayfield, February 16 and 21, and March 8 and 21,
2001
5 audio cassettes; transcribed, 55 pages, + 5 page afterward by Kay Sekimachi.
Kay
Sekimachi Stocksdale (b. 1926)
Fiber artist, Berkeley, CA
Interview of Kay Sekimachi Stocksdale conducted by Suzanne Baizerman, July 26, 30 and August 3 and 6, 2001
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 59 pages.
Toshiko Takaezu (b. 1922)
Ceramist, Quakertown, NJ
Interview of Toshiko Takaezu conducted by Gerry Williams, June 16, 2003
1 audio cassette; transcribed, 38 pages.
Finalized; not available online. Patron must use Archives copy.
Bob
Trotman (b. 1947)
Woodworker, Casar, NC
Interview of Bob Trotman conducted by Carla Hanzal, September 14, 2005
4 Digital Recording disks; transcribed, 51 pages.
Robert
Turner (1913-2005)
Ceramist, Sandy Spring, MD
Interview of Robert Turner conducted by Dr. Margaret Carney, June 11, 2001
3 audio cassettes; transcribed, 48 pages.
William
Underhill (b. 1933)
Metalsmith, Wellsville, NY
Interview of William Underhill conducted by Dr. Margaret Carney, June 8, 2002
2 audio cassettes; transcribed, 41 pages.
Patti
Warashina (b. 1940)
Ceramist, Seattle, WA
Interview of Patti Warashina conducted by Doug Jeck, September 8, 2005
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 42 pages.
Kurt Weiser (b. 1950)
Ceramicist, Tempe, AZ
Interview of Kurt Weiser conducted by Peter Held, May 22, 2006
3 Digital Recording Discs; transcribed, 43 pages.
Katherine Westphal (b. 1914)
Fiber artist, Berkeley, CA
Interview of Katherine Westphal conducted by Carole Austin, September 3, and 5, 2002
4 audio cassettes; transcribed, 62 pages.
Finalized; not available online. Patron must use Archives copy.
Bob
Winston (1915-2003)
Metalsmith, Walnut Creek, CA
Interview of Bob Winston conducted by Suzanne Baizerman, July 31, August 7 and 15, September
18, October 10, 2002
5 digital recording disks; transcribed, 91 pages.
J. Fred Woell (b.
1934)
Jeweler, Deer Isle, ME
Interview of J. Fred Woell conducted by Donna Gold, June 6 and 11, 2001, and January 9, 2002
6 audio cassettes; transcribed, 75 pages.
