The American Craft Council, a nonprofit public educational organization that promotes the understanding and appreciation of American craft, has announced the recipients of its 2014 Awards, which includes the induction of two glass artists, William Carlson, currently an Endowed Professor at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Miami whose works include cast glass sculpture and architectural commissions, and Philadelphia-based stained glass artist Judith Schaechter into its College of Fellows.
Tina Oldknow, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass and former trustee of the American Craft Council, has been named this year's Honorary Fellow, a distinction given to a nonartist who has demonstrated exemplary service in the craft field.
The American Craft Council awards are “presented biennially to honor those who have demonstrated outstanding artistic achievement, leadership, and service in the field of craft.” In order to be eligible for an award, an artist must have at least 25 years of work in their discipline and have demonstrated extraordinary ability. Other inductees into the College of Fellows in 2014 include artists working in metal, fiber, wood, and ceramics. The ACC also gives out awards for philanthropy, an award of distinction, and a Gold Metal for Consummate Craftsmanship.
The Museum of Arts and Design in New York City will host the American Craft Council Awards celebration on November 15, and the recipients will be featured in American Craft magazine’s October/November 2014 issue.