This book was published in connection with the designation of 1993 as
the “Year of American Craft: A Celebration of the Creative Work of the
Hand.” President George H.W. Bush had signed the proclamation
confirming the designation. Of course, the occupants of the
White House in 1993 were President Clinton and his family. They agreed
to allow a collection of pieces to be showcased in the formal rooms of
the Executive Mansion during the holidays in 1993. This book
contains beautiful colored photographs of the 72 pieces on display
during the celebration of American crafts. The photographs are grouped
according to the type of material used to make the objects. The
categories are as follows: (1) glass, (2) metal, (3) ceramic, (4)
fiber, and (5) wood. John Bigelow Taylor took all of the photographs.Each
photograph has a caption which provides readers with detailed
information about the piece shown. Aside from indicating the title of
the piece, the name of the craftsman who made it, dimensions of the
object, the year it was made, and the process used by the craftsman,
the captions also enlighten readers about the inspiration for a piece.Near the end of the book, which is only 128 pages long, thereAre
thumbnail biographical sketches of the artists who made the pieces on
display. Each sketch indicates the city of residence of an artist, as
well as her/his birthplace and birth date, the name of colleges
attended, collections which contain some of the artist’s work, and
publications by the artist.Essays by Michael W. Monroe and
Barbaralee Diamonstein appear in the book. They provide an historical
context for an appreciation of American crafts.First Lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton offers an opening commentary on American crafts
and the willingness of her husband and herself to allow the use of the
White House for the display of this particular collection of pieces.