The Spirituality of Charles Greene and the Origins of a Stickley Utopia: Two Virtual Classes and a Craft Show This Saturday

by Kate Nixon

 

A view of the sunken garden, ca. 1913. Image: The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms.

“Circa 1917: Rediscovering Craftsman Farms”
Saturdays at 1:00 PM Eastern via Zoom

Revisit the origins of a Gustav Stickley vision in New Jersey as the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms brings you the latest in their online classroom series, “Circa 1917: Rediscovering Craftsman Farms” an exploration (and a complimenting course on the recent virtual exhibit with the same name) of the origin story of Gustav Stickley’s very own Arts and Crafts utopian grounds. From Stickley’s plan as a school /farm/working retreat to its growth as a family home to a hub of Arts and Crafts research, this comprehensive course will show never before seen research, objects, building plans and campus elements in an “insider’s view” of an important part of the Gustav Stickley legacy.

While the first course debuted October 9th, the next four sessions are set to deep dive into the modern day features of Craftsman Farms, the historic furnishings, and the conservation and documented processes. With the kickoff of the Stickley Museum’s new program “Fall for Stickley” with the virtual Craftsman Gala and Cocktail Hour, the virtual exhibit was unveiled and Executive Director Vonda Givens says this new session will reveal new information to even the longtime supporters of the organizations. “I’m looking forward to this class, which will be interesting for newcomers and those who already have a deep knowledge of Craftsman Farms. Circa 1917 unveils many new discoveries about Craftsman Farms and Gustav Stickley and the class offers an opportunity to explore those directly with the curator.”

You can register for the Stickley Museum’s course HERE.

View the virtual exhibit of the same name HERE.

 

 

“The Spirituality of Charles Greene”
A discussion with Travis Culwell and Ted Bosley
Saturday, October 16th at 11:00 AM Pacific/ 2:00 PM Eastern

On the other side of the country, Pasadena, California’s own Arts and Crafts crowning glory The Gamble House will host a special session with Ted Bosley and Travis Culwell, combining the life of Charles Greene and his spiritual journey. After retiring from his practice in 1915, Greene chartered a new chapter of design inspired by his new spiritual awakening and this session will explore this late chapter of Greene’s, looking at his design projects and the theosophy ideals that inspired them.

Retired Gamble House Director Ted Bosley will join lifelong design student Travis Culwell in this special session. A student of the UC Berkeley College of Envinronmental Design, his focus on the writings and drawings of Charles Greene led him ultimately to his master’s thesis “The Spirituality of Charles Sumner Greene” – a topic that he will revisit Saturday October 16th.

You can register for the special session HERE.

 

 

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Harrah’s Cherokee Center ~ Downtown Asheville, NC
October 14th – 17th, 2021

A paper work from Highland Craft Guild member Andrea Wilson. Courtesy of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Bonus for those in the Asheville, North Carolina area: the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands will be held in person at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville! You’ll be able to see works in clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry with artists filling two levels of the venue. Included in the Craft Fair are National Arts and Crafts Conference exhibitors Amy Brandenburg, Rachelle Davis, Julie Calhoun-Roepnack, Kathleen Doyle and Tom Reardon, Brian Brace, and Steve Joslyn, so go support these hardworking artists and craftspeople!

The event starts October 14th and runs through October 17th at the downtown Asheville venue Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Tickets can be purchased online. You will need to present proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative test

 

For more information, please visit the event page at https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair/