Dive into past events, artist talks, and other collaborations to stay engaged no matter where you are.
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Curator Conversations: Exploring the American Craft Council Digital Collections with Beth Goodrich
View a conversation with Beth Goodrich, the Librarian at the American Craft Council (ACC), as she shares Esherick-related highlights and craft connections from the ACC’s expansive archival collections. While Beth also oversees the ACC’s physical library located in Minneapolis, in this program we focus on the ACC Digital Collections, an open-access online compendium containing thousands of unique images, documents, and media, detailing the history of twentieth-century and contemporary craft in America. We discuss Esherick’s 1958-1959 retrospective exhibition The Furniture and Sculpture of Wharton Esherick at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts (now the Museum of Art and Design) and sponsored by the ACC, as well as his relationships with other craft artists represented in the ACC’s resources, such as Henry Varnum Poor and Ruth Reeves.
Wood And… Opening Reception
View the virtual Opening Reception of Wood And…, the Wharton Esherick Museum’s 27th Annual Juried Woodworking Exhibition. Featuring artists from across the country, Wood And… reflects a broad array of approaches to combining materials in exciting ways, with work ranging from furniture to sculpture to design. During the reception, we hear insights from WEM Director of Curatorial Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Emily Zilber, as well as our three prizewinning artists, Aspen Golann, Christian Burchard, and Jason Turnidge.
Spotlight Talk: Esherick’s Models
Tucked away on shelves and bookcases throughout the Wharton Esherick Museum are Esherick’s models, toy-like miniatures that capture the imagination and remind us of Esherick’s works beyond the Studio walls. From celebrated staircases and fireplaces for prominent clients to public commissions that would never come to be, each model has a unique story to tell. In this 20-minute program, we dive into a few of our favorite stories, meet some of Esherick’s patrons and friends, and explore the creative ways he solved their problems with his designs.
Creatives on Esherick: Sarah Watlington
View a conversation with Los Angeles-based artist and woodworker Sarah Watlington. We talk with Sarah about the varied sources of inspiration she draws on in her studio, from the grace of animal forms to literature and the written word, highlighting parallels with Esherick’s own practice. We also delve into Sarah’s unique approach to design and her ideas on simplicity — and just how complex it can be.
Rewind: Artist Talks, Events, & More
Spotlight Talk: Material Combinations in the Studio
Curator Conversations: Stairways to Imagining with Mary Savig
Spotlight Talk: In the Garden with Wharton Esherick
Spotlight Talk: Wharton’s Printing Press
Curator Conversations: Woodworking, Labor, and Modernism with Holly Gore
Spotlight Talk: Esherick’s World’s Fair Chair
Curator Conversations: Homer, Esherick, and Interpreting Artists’ Studios with Diana Greenwold
Spotlight Talk: Henry Varnum Poor’s Portrait Plates
Creatives on Esherick: Keunho Peter Park
Spotlight Talk: Winter Woodcuts
Curator Conversations: Exploring Connections at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with Nonie Gadsden
Creatives on Esherick: Laura Mays
When Artists Pivot: Wharton Esherick and His Career | PAFA – Culture & Coffee
Past Collaborations
Fleisher/Ollman:
Becky Suss/Wharton Esherick
November 16, 2018 — January 26, 2019
In collaboration with the Wharton Esherick Museum, Becky Suss juxtaposes her paintings of Esherick’s interiors with actual Esherick objects lent by the museum. This is Suss’s first foray in engaging with another artist’s work in a curatorial capacity. Fleisher/Ollman and Suss are thrilled to have the Wharton Esherick Museum on board as a partner for this exhibition. This also marks the first artist collaboration of this scope for the museum, highlighting its dedication to working with contemporary artists, and Esherick’s continued resonance with new generations.
