Virtual Sessions on “Craftsman Utopia” and “Furniture 101” PLUS Graycliff Opens and A Virtual Celebration in Pasadena Announced

by Kate Nixon

 

While this summer season has been more restricted than in summers’ past and Arts and Crafts enthusiasts are chomping at the bit for something exciting, rest assured there are online and on-site programs opening up to help salvage your summer and create some mask-adorned memories. We’ve got the latest on both online and on-site tours and classes for the collecting community who are determined to keep celebrating and learning about our country’s Arts and Crafts legacy. Keep reading to find out what tours and classes have just opened up…

 

Virtual Offerings from The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

July and August have plenty in store with online experiences for collectors all over the country – and the team at Craftsman Farms has plenty of them lined up on the calendar for both members and non-members.

This weekend, The Stickley Museum will delve into the creation of their own Craftsman Farms Campus in their second session in the “Craftsman Utopia” series of classes. “Building Utopia” will explore the built environment and provide interior views of the original buildings while featuring new research on the chronology and development of Craftsman Farms. Additional sessions within this series includes “Highlights from the Collection at Craftsman Farms” looking at pieces from Stickley’s own collection and “A Cheerful, Hospitable Home for Our Friends” a session dedicated to The Craftsman Building in New York City on Saturday, August 1st.

Click here to sign up for the “Craftsman Utopia” series of classes

 

Bruce Johnson will be featured live August 1st and 8th during “Furniture 101: A Visit to Bruce Johnson’s Workshop”

In August, members of The Stickley Museum will get access to exclusive material and the opportunity to interact with exciting new guests to the museum’s Zoom classroom. Starting August 1st, members will get an exclusive look in Bruce Johnson’s workshop in the upcoming course “Furniture 101: A Visit to Bruce Johnson’s Workshop” taking place August 1st and 8th at 4:00 PM Eastern. This two-part series will feature Johnson, author and expert in antiques, woodworking, history, and Arts and Crafts, in his private workshop teaching the basics of woodworking and furniture. Members of all experience levels will enjoy this course and will be able to ask Johnson questions while he covers a variety of topics.

“As an Arts and Crafts furniture collector, I also have the enthusiasm that other collectors have for finding and identifying shopmarks, recognizing quartersawn oak, and appreciating construction details that also serve as decoration,” says Johnson. “My goal has been to create short, helpful, and practical videos to share with others and immediately after these videos are shown by The Stickley Museum, I will be available live on Zoom during these sessions to answer questions.”

On August 15th, the Stickley Museum welcomes filmmaker Herb Stratford to the Zoom classroom to discuss the latest with his feature film documentary Gustav Stickley: American Craftsman. In addition to seeing the film’s trailer, members will get to view exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and participate in discussions about Stratford’s travels, the people he interviewed, and the historic sites he filmed. Lastly, on the weekend of August 22nd, the popular Farms Afield program returns virtually with a visit to the Harvey Ellis Bungalow at Crab Tree Farm. Located in Lake bluff, IL, this session will explore this renovated structure and discover the local collections of furniture and decorative arts.

Click here to sign up for the members-only program

 

Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Graycliff Will Open in August

Graycliff, the historic house belonging to Isabelle and Darwin Martin, will open in August 2020 for private tours. Image courtesy of experiencegraycliff.org.

It was announced last week that Graycliff, the Frank Lloyd Wright designed home of Isabelle and Darwin D. Martin, will open for a private tour program next month in Derby, New York with advance booking available now.

In compliance with New York State’s mandated Phase 4 guidelines, all tours are restricted to a single household or safe social circle, meaning that tours are priced for up to 4 people with the option to add 2 more for an additional charge.

The tours available in this new program are a standard 1-hour tour: visiting the grounds and first floor of the the main house and an extended tour, where visitors can walk the grounds and visit both the first and second floors of the house.

New protocols have been implemented in compliance with requirements for historic sites to open and to ensure the safety for everyone present. These include:

  • A strict stay at home policy for all staff, volunteers, and visitors will be enforced.
  • All tours must be booked in advance and not exceed the limit of six persons.
  • Contract tracing for all visitors.
  • New tour schedule implemented to allow for ample cleaning and sanitization time in between tours.
  • Face masks are required of all staff, volunteers, and visitors.
  • Tours have been rerouted to ensure one-directional traffic and tented areas have been implemented to allow groups to properly social distance while waiting.
  • New hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed.

The private tours start at $100 and are available to book at www.experiencegraycliff.org

 

Pasadena Heritage Announces Week-long Virtual Celebration of Iconic Bridge

The 1913 Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California as seen from the Arroyo Seco in 2005. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons.

 

One of Pasadena’s most iconic structures will be celebrated in a week-long virtual event and there’s something for both Pasadena citizens and fans of the bridge all over the country.

Roadway of the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California, facing west. Taken October 2019. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Creative Commons.

From August 9th to 15th, Pasadena Heritage will celebrate The Colorado Street Bridge with a week-long party that includes virtual happy hours, trivia, online lectures, online panel discussions, and for locals, a classic car cruise across the bridge.

Classic cars will cruise the historic neighborhoods of Pasadena and across the Colorado Street Bridge to kick of the festivities on Sunday. Monday there will be a lecture on the history of the Bridge with best-selling author Chip Jacobs, and on Tuesday a panel discussion on the proposed new fencing with members of the Bridge Task Force. Wednesday architect and structural engineer Chris Peck will join us for a story time and hands-on bridge building activity geared towards the younger generation. Sponsors will be treated to en exclusive talk from renowned artist Kenton Nelson on Thursday. To begin your weekend with a bang, join us on Friday for a virtual happy hour and trivia with Bridge Party favorite Eagle Rock Brewery. Finally on Saturday, Pasadena Heritage will broadcast a special video on the Colorado Street Bridge. Detailed information on each event can be found on our website at www.pasadenahertiage.org/bridgecelebration.

Tickets are on sale now for $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Corporate and individual sponsorships are available.

The Colorado Street Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places with the Pasadena Heritage organization as its leading champion. After years of effort, the bridge was saved, upgraded and restored to its original grandeur. Proceeds will support Pasadena Heritage’s efforts to preserve the city’s architectural treasures.

For more information, contact Pasadena Heritage’s Communications Coordinator, Katherine Baxter, [email protected], (626) 441-6333, ext. 12

Website:  https://pasadenaheritage.org/bridgecelebration/

 

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