Early Arts and Crafts societies in cities such as Boston, Chicago, and New York gathered to hear speakers reveal the evils of the Industrial Revolution and applaud the virtues of the simple life, one lived among handcrafted furnishings which William Morris described as those “you know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.”

Following in that tradition, the National Arts and Crafts Conference was founded in 1988 as a three-day educational event for Arts and Crafts collectors. It was built on a foundation of seminars presented by researchers, authors, craftsmen, and scholars.

In no particular order, the speakers scheduled to appear at the 2025 conference are:

Are You Being Served? The Bounty of the Arts and Crafts Dining Room

by Kevin Tucker

Chief Curator, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA

From sideboard to serving pieces, the dining room was a key locus of family life in the American home at the turn of the twentieth century. The Arts and Crafts movement provided its own vision of this space as a refuge for family life, prompting the creation of works that help to build a foundation for modern approaches to efficiency, self-reliance, and the growth of casual dining in the 20th century. Central to these ideas was the sideboard which, alongside the dining table and it settings, commanded attention as a centerpiece to display their owner’s tastes in both food and good design. Decorative arts historian and High Museum of Art chief curator Kevin W. Tucker will consider a selection of  these sideboards, servers, and related accessories as the legacy of some of the designers, craftspeople, and families who shaped their own images of the ideal American Arts and Crafts dining room.

Denman Ross and the Science of Beauty

by Marie Frank

Associate Professor, Architectural Studies Program Director, University of Massachusetts, Lowell

The design theory behind one of Boston’s most important minds in the fine art scene will be shown within the lens of the Arts & Crafts style; the life and work of Denman Ross shows a direct connection and influence to artists of the Arts & Crafts style. Ross helped to usher in the philosophies of John Ruskin and in doing so, gained a friend and colleague in Arthur Wesley Dow – his connection to important figures in the origins and the American revival is explored by Dr. Marie Frank.

Kataro Shirayamadani:  Rookwood’s Most Talented and Most Mysterious Artist

by Riley Humler

President of the American Art Pottery Association, Early 20th Century Art Pottery and Ceramics Expert, Antiques Roadshow Appraiser

China Painting Redeemed: The Art and Craft of Chicago’s Florence Pratt Steward

by Sharon Darling

Author of the newly published “Women, Enterprise, Craft – Chicago’s Atlan Ceramic Art Club, 1893–1923”. Chicago Metalsmiths, Chicago Ceramics & Glass, Chicago Furniture, and Teco: Art Pottery of the Prairie School and numerous essays and publications on Chicago’s history of Decorative Arts.

The abstract style of overglaze decoration – developed by members of Chicago’s Atlan Club – brought regional, national, and international recognition as they pioneered the study of appropriate designs for china and a new abstract style of porcelain decoration in America. Their skillful application of historic ornament to modern porcelain shapes—both radical and “modern” at the time—encouraged experimentation, while their insistence upon technical excellence demonstrated the value and rewards inherent in perfecting one’s proficiency in painting and design. One woman led the charge in this new era of ceramic excellence: Florence Pratt Steward. Her story and the club that succeeded in establishing this new art medium for the American Arts and Crafts movement are explored in this special presentation by author of Women, Enterprise, Craft – Chicago’s Atlan Ceramic Art Club, 1893–1923, Sharon Darling.

The Artistic Achievement of Dard Hunter: A Personal Perspective

by Dard Hunter III of Dard Hunter Studios

Most Arts and Crafts enthusiasts are familiar with Dard Hunter’s ubiquitous designs such as the square rose motif and his font, but few know the scope of his graphic design career from 1902-1912.  A presentation by Dard Hunter III of Dard Hunter Studios  will provide an insight on the influences and thought processes that guided him as an artist and craftsman.  The imagery and content will be derived from original drawings, personal correspondence, diaries, and publications some of which have never been seen before.

Announcement of additional presentations to follow in the coming weeks