Online Classes, FLW Tours, and A Special Summer Raffle

by Kate Nixon

 

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, Morris Plains, NJ – Closure extended, online classes offered

 

 

The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms will continue their online Zoom offerings this weekend and into the summer with the addition of two new programs: one revealing the vision of Gustav Stickley’s utopia and highlights from his own collection and the other series as a special members-only series covering furniture basics, a conversation with a filmmaker, and a new virtual Farms Afield in the month of August.

This weekend, the Craftsman Utopia series kicks off with “‘Direct Application of Every Principle We Advocate’: Mr. Stickley’s Vision” a session exploring Stickley’s attraction to Morris Plains, New Jersey and how his vision for his own utopia fit with the reform movement. Instructor Jonathan Clancy will teach each session accompanied by Executive Director Vonda Givens over the Zoom platform on July 11th at 1:00 PM Eastern.

You can register for each class by clicking this link: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/programs/online-classes/craftsman-utopia/dashboard/299.html

 

July 11th 1:00 EST: “Direct Application of Every Principle We Advocate”: Mr. Stickley’s Vision

From its inception as a “craftsman village,” to the plans for the “Craftsman Farms School for citizenship,” to its eventual use as a family home and working farm, this session explores the motivations behind Stickley’s decision to move to Morris Plains, New Jersey and places him in the broader context of the reform movement and utopian communities.

 

 

July 18 at 1:00 EST:  Session 2: Building Utopia: The Development of The Craftsman Farms Campus

The following Saturday, the Craftsman Utopia series continues as the process of building Craftsman Farms is revealed. For many visitors, Craftsman Farms is primarily defined by the Log House, with a brief mention of the other buildings that formed the core of Stickley’s operations. Yet, from the first recorded deliveries of “carloads” of lumber in July 1908, the development of Craftsman Farms proceeded steadily to eventually encompass at least ten homes and barns that Stickley designed, numerous outbuildings, and the existing structures already present on the properties he purchased. Featuring new research on the chronology and development of Craftsman Farms, this session explores the built environment and provides interior views of the original buildings on our 30-acre property.

July 25 at 1:00 EST:  Session 3: Craftsman Farms Today: Highlights from the Collection

While Stickley’s decision to relocate to Morris Plains, New Jersey represented a fresh canvas on which to record his dreams, his choice of furnishings suggests that sentiment and memory were equal in strength to the allure of the new. Rather than start over completely, Stickley blended the family’s possessions from Syracuse–including some made as his factory–with new, custom-made pieces designed to meet the requirements of his home. This session looks closely at some of the iconic pieces Stickley owned, some furniture he designed during his tenure at Craftsman Farms, and some great pieces from the Museum’s collection that illustrate the essential tenets of the philosophy of design he promoted in The Craftsman.

August 1 at 1:00 EST: Session 4: “A Cheerful, Hospitable Home for Our Friends”: The Craftsman Building in New York City

In some ways, the Craftsman Building was a perfect reflection of Stickley’s broader goals, to disseminate his idealism and his products to a larger audience, to reform the look and practice of industrialism, and to reshape the manner in which the general public conceived of the home. This session explores the final chapter of Stickley’s career–the peak and fall of the Craftsman movement–by examining the many different facets of his business in the Craftsman Building.

Register for classes by clicking this link: https://www.stickleymuseum.org/programs/online-classes/craftsman-utopia/dashboard/299.html

 

The online classes not only provided and continue to provide an essential support line for the active non-profit organization, but truly help to connect the community of collectors and enthusiasts during a time of required distance. “We have been grateful more than ever for the museum’s nationwide community of support, since closing the Log House doors mid-March in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic,” says Vonda Givens, the museum’s Executive Director. “In going down these new paths, we have endeavored to be resourceful, but also thoughtful. Our aim has been to invite our community to connect through these programs while also supporting the museum.”

Additionally, the closure of the Craftsman Farms museum and grounds has been extended to allow time for the completion of the museum’s Education Center rehabilitation project, which has been mobilized across the property’s entrance. “We are in the home stretch of the Education Center project, which was launched in January 2019 and funded through government grants and individual gifts to the museum’s Capital Campaign. At that time, it was impossible to imagine the current upheaval and uncertainty the museum is now facing related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Givens. “Like many non-profits, this uncertainty has forced us to turn our attention inward—to focus on keeping our basic operations going through virtual platforms. By doing this, we are hoping to ensure that after this crisis, the museum will emerge a strong organization with an incredible new resource that will serve us far into the future.”

 

Roycroft Campus, East Aurora, NY – Now Open

 

 

Meanwhile in East Aurora, the Roycroft Campus Corporation officially opened its grounds July 7th in accordance with New York State guidelines. Walking tours of the campus have resumed; the tours will be primarily outdoors with access to the Campus Museum, limited to 10 people maximum per party, and all visitors will be required to wear face masks and maintain social distancing at all times.

Tours will be offered Tuesdays through Saturdays at 2PM and will last approximately 1.5 hours. All tours will need to be reserved in advance through calling the office at (716) 655-0261 or emailing [email protected].

The Copper Shop art gallery and gift shop, centrally located on the Roycroft Campus, has also opened its doors to the public but offers online shopping and shipping for those who are unable to shop in-person.

On Thursday, August 27th at 6 PM EST, the Copper Shop will host the Roycroft Restoration Raffle, an annual fundraising event with a grand prize of $10,000 and five $1,000 cash prizes. The annual raffle is the largest raffle in East Aurora with some of the best odds of winning. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Copper Shop. Tickets for the raffle are $100 each and they can be purchased by either calling (716) 655-0261 or buying online at www.roycroftcampuscorp.com The event will also be live streamed through social media. Additionally, ticket stubs for the raffle will also count as a $10 discount off a $50 purchase.

For more information or to buy tickets online, click the link below:

https://www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com/product/roycroft-restoration-raffle-drawing-august-27th-2020/

 

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, Chicago, IL – Indoor and Outdoor Tours Available at Wright’s Home and Studio, Robie House and Rookery Light Court

 

 

Indoor and outdoor tours have resumed at Wright’s Home and Studio, Robie House and Rookery Building. The following tours are available:

Home and Studio

• NEW – Wright in the Neighborhood: This outdoor walking tour explores the neighborhood around Wright’s Home and Studio.
• Pedal Oak Park
• Wright Around Oak Park
• Home and Studio Guided Interior Tour
• Outdoor Historic Neighborhood Audio Walking Tour

Robie House

• Robie House: A Modern Home
• Robie House: Inside and Out

Rookery Building

• Rookery Light Court
• Rookery Light Court + Burnham Library

Tickets for most tours may be purchased online or on site in Oak Park and Hyde Park.

 

The purchase of online advance tickets is encouraged. Please click the links below to purchase your tickets.

Oak Park, IL: https://flwright.org/tours/oak-park?utm_source=email&utm_medium=enews&utm_campaign=promo070720

Chicago, IL: https://flwright.org/tours/chicago?utm_source=email&utm_medium=enews&utm_campaign=promo070720