CraftNOW Intention Symposium

CraftNOW Philadelphiaunites the leading institutions, artists and patrons of Philadelphia’s craft community. CraftNOW celebrates the city’s rich legacy of craft, its internationally-recognized contemporary craft scene, and its important role as an incubator for arts based in wood, clay, fiber, metal and glass.

CraftNOW Philadelphia

A free  symposium providing a platform for critical discourse in contemporary craft.

The Galleries At Moore

in 2025, the theme of Intention explores the conscious choices behind artistic creation, asking why we make art and how meaning is shaped through materials and processes. Every decision in art—whether in concept, medium, or execution—reflects the maker’s values, experiences, and desires. This theme invites artists, designers, and craftspeople to examine the motivations behind their work, encouraging a more purposeful and aware approach to creation. Intention also emphasizes care in the act of making, including the preservation of materials, traditions, and cultural heritage, and the role of craft in healing and restoration. 9:30am – Registration and Coffee10:00am – Welcome – Emily Edelstein, Executive Director, CraftNOW Philadelphia10:20am – Handwork introduction – Carol Sauvion, Executive Director, Craft in America10:30am – Premiere (before PBS air date) of the Craft in American Segment featuring Roberto Lugo10:45am – Roberto Lugo interviewed by Elisabeth Agro, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Craft and Decorative Arts, Philadelphia Museum of ArtIntroduction to Emerging Voices: Ruby Lopez Harper, Executive Director, CERF+11:30am – Duwenavue Santé Johnson11:45am – Topher Gent12:00-1:00pm Networking Lunch - RSVP required1:00-1:30pm Galleries at Moore tour1:30pm – Premiere (before PBS air date) of Craft in America Segment featuring Bisa Butler1:45pm – Bisa Butler interviewed by Dr. Matt Kenyatta, Director and Curator of Exhibitions and Public Programming at Temple Contemporary2:30-2:45pm coffee breakIntroduction to Emerging Voices: Deanna Emmons, Moore College of Art and Design2:45pm – Kerianne Quick -“Becoming Heirlooms”3:00pm – Angelique Scott- “Crafting Care in the Afrodiaspora: Testimony &amp; Material Legacies”3:15pm – Keynote Speaker: Judith Schaechter – “Intention, Invention and Innovation”4:00-6:00pm – Cocktail Reception4:00 Happy Hour - connect with symposium participants, share stories of craft, and explore the Galleries at Moore.Event is Free with a $20 suggested donation. Networking lunch requires rsvp. Donations to support CraftNOW's programming greatly appreciated.

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CraftNOW Intention Symposium

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