Currents 2020 Exhibition

The Currents 2020 National Craft Exhibition
Schack Art Center, Everett, Washington
March 5 – April 11, 2020
Opening Reception: March 5, 5-8 pm
Hours: M-F 10-6, SA 10-5, SU 12-5

Promoting excellence in design and craftsmanship and stimulating interest in and appreciation for fine craft in our region and beyond. 

When Northwest Designer Craftartists (NWDC) was founded 65 years ago, one of its goals was outreach to the rest of the country, and to the world, to raise awareness about the vibrant creativity and superb craftsmanship of craft artists in the Pacific Northwest. NWDC members wanted the recognition they so justly deserved and to engage in new relationships that would stimulate ever greater creativity and opportunity. 

At its heart, the Currents 2020 National Craft Exhibition provides an opportunity for NWDC members, and our invited artists, to learn and share with fine craft artists and curators on a national level while introducing their work to a larger audience.  As a survey of contemporary and traditional craft, it is an opportunity to celebrate excellence in craft and design, and to compare and contrast current and continuing trends in craft making.

Michael W. Monroe

The Currents 2020 National Craft Exhibition will occupy both floors of the Schack Art Center in Everett, WA, allowing a survey exhibition of about 175 works of fine craft.  Some 40 of those works will be from invited craft artists who are well-recognized across the country.  These artists include the instructors for the Master Class Workshops taking place during the few days of the exhibition.  The rest of the work will represent some of our 200 members in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska who created works in fiber, metal, wood, clay, glass and mixed media.

The exhibition is juried and curated by some of the most influential names in the craft world today.

Curator Michael Monroe, Director Emeritus of the Bellevue Art Museum.

Nora Atkinson

For over 40 years, Michael Monroe has been a vibrant and influential figure in American craft.  He served as Director of Curatorial Affairs at the Bellevue Art Museum from 2004 to 2010.  Previously he served as Executive Director of the American Craft Council and served in lead curatorial positions at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery from 1974 to 1995.  He is an Honorary Member of NWDC.

Juror Nora Atkinson, Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC; Curator, Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM), Bellevue, Washington.

Bruce Pepich

Juror Bruce Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections, Racine Art Museum (RAM), Racine, Wisconsin; 2012 Honorary Fellow of the American Craft Council.

Most work will be available for sale. Pending funding, a full color catalog of the exhibition will be available for purchase.