Studio Craft Art in the Philadelphia Area

The studio craft movement has produced a unique and eclectic group of artists whose work celebrates the beauty of nature, the unique vision of the individual, and the fine handcrafting process used to create works. Studio craft pieces range from purely aesthetic to fully functional objects, encompassing areas such as sculpture and furniture, and are wholly unique – there are no two exact-same pieces in the movement. This uniquity is part of what makes studio craft so special. 

The Studio Craft Movement in Philadelphia

Since before the turn of the century, the Greater Philadelphia area has been central to burgeoning artistic movements, including the predecessor of studio craft, the Arts and Crafts movement. In the early 1900s, craftspeople flocked to Philadelphia to hone their craft and market their exemplary skills in both artistic and practical ways. After the economic upturn post- World War II, patrons of the arts were able to afford investments in the one-of-a-kind creations made by studio craft artists from the region. 

How is Studio Craft Characterized?

Studio craft is characterized by its focus on handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces created by individual artists or small groups in private studios. Studio craft can be identified by the following:

• Unique and distinctive styles by each artist 
• Popular mediums include wood, ceramics, glass, metal, fiber, and mixed media
• Raw or imperfect materials that highlight the natural beauty of the medium 
• Handcrafted and individual pieces 
• Emphasis on the process and philosophy of each artist 

Prolific Studio Craft Artists in the Philadelphia Region

Prolific woodworker and ​​ “dean of American craftsmen,” Wharton Esherick, spent his entire life and career in the Philadelphia area, from his education in painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to the eventual woodworking studio he lovingly created and worked out of near Valley Forge. He is best known for his modernist Studio craft works spanning furniture, furnishings, interiors, buildings, and more. 

In 1944, the highly influential Studio craft artist George Nakashima relocated to New Hope, PA and opened his studio on his family’s homestead, where he remained working until his death in 1990. Nakashima was one of the great innovators of twentieth-century design, and produced a new design vocabulary that was like nothing that had come before. His prolific designs overlapped the worlds of modern design and classic principals of woodworking. 

Additional Established Philadelphia Studio Craft Artists 

• Daniel Jackson 
• Mira Nakashima 
• Miriam Carpenter 
• Michael Brolly
• Michael Herwitz 

The Future of Philadelphia’s Studio Craft Movement

Today, the Studio craft movement continues to flourish in the Philadelphia area. Emerging artists have gathered in Philadelphia for elite training and education, as well as a shared community rooted in artisanship. The city and surrounding area are a hub for the movement to this day. 

Contemporary and Emerging Philadelphia Studio Craft Artists 

• Ashley Joseph Martin
• John Lutz 
• Eric Allen
• Fabien Dubrunfaut

Moderne Gallery: Discover Studio Craft in Philadelphia Past, Present, and Future 

Moderne Gallery’s owner and director Joshua Aibel summarizes the studio craft movement well: 

“The texture of wood in its natural form is beautiful. Founders of the studio craft movement found that the work was being done by nature– their job was to highlight the beauty they found, rather than change it. This philosophy and the works resulting from it have changed the design and art world indelibly today.” 

As purveyors of works by designers such as George Nakashima and Wharton Esherick, as well as new and dynamic pieces from contemporaries, Moderne Gallery has specialized knowledge of and reverence for the studio craft movement. 

We are excited to share our unique and historically valuable collection of both classic and contemporary studio craft pieces at The Philadelphia Show 2024. Join us on the East Terrace of the Philadelphia Museum of Art between April 25 – 28, 2024 to browse our presentation. 

Please click here to submit items for appraisal or contact us with any questions.

Explore Moderne Gallery.