Inspirations, Trends, Insights, and Analysis

The Emperor's New Clothes: How Conceptual Art Has Devalued True Skill

The debate over art and craft centers on a long-standing hierarchy that devalues objects of utility. While painting and sculpture were seen as intellectual pursuits, craft—from pottery to weaving—w...

Experimental Education: The Story of Black Mountain College

Black Mountain College, a short-lived but influential experimental school, was founded in North Carolina in 1933 by academics seeking to create a democratic, arts-centered community.  It became a h...

The Art of Found Objects: Creating with Recycled Metal

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, a new artistic movement is taking shape, transforming forgotten fragments into compelling works of art. This is the art of found objects, a practi...

Inside the Fire: Unveiling the Magic of Murano Glass

This article provides a look at the history, chemistry, and process behind making Murano glass. It begins by explaining that the tradition originated in 1291 when glass furnaces were moved to the i...

The Magic of Making: A Journey to North Carolina's John C. Campbell Folk School

Hidden away in the mountains of North Carolina, the John C. Campbell Folk School is more than just a place to learn a craft—it's a vibrant community where tradition, creativity, and the joy of hand...

A Major Milestone: Lago Luna Studio’s 2,000th Mission Wind Bell

The Mission Wind Bell series, a unique movement for art in metal mediums, began with a simple piece of inspiration back in 1980. While on a trip to New Mexico, I stumbled upon a rustic ceramic wind...