American Made: The American Arts and Crafts Movement

As a nation, we celebrate our Independence Day on July 4th, the day the United States officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. Here at MAACM, are celebrating July 4th some of the prominent figures of the American Arts and Crafts movement, the first distinctly American art movement. Gustav Stickley, Charles and Henry Greene, Elbert Hubbard, Edith Brown and Edith Guerrier, and Frank Lloyd Wright are some of the many who shaped the Arts and Craft movement!

Together, these figures played vital roles in the movement where artisans and craftspeople sought to elevate the quality of American craftsmanship and design. Gustav Stickley was a prominent leader for the movement in America; his furniture designs and his magazine, "The Craftsman," played a significant role in popularizing the movement’s principles and aesthetics. Architects Charles and Henry Greene, based out of California, were known for their iconic Craftsman-style bungalow designs and emphasis on natural materials, craftsmanship, and integration of nature into their architecture.

Elbert Hubbard was an entrepreneur, writer, and publisher who founded the Roycroft community in East Aurora, New York. The Roycroft community was known for its production of handmade goods, including furniture, metalwork, and books. Edith Brown and Edith Guerrier, founded the Paul Revere Pottery, also known as the Saturday Evening Girls, and created a path to independence and creativity for many young immigrant women in Boston. While Frank Lloyd Wright is primarily recognized as an architect; his work reflected the principles and aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement. His organic architecture, emphasis on craftsmanship, and integration of nature were in line with the movement's philosophy.

While the Arts and Crafts movement did not have a direct association with the celebration of America’s Independence Day, its values and ideals contributed to American creativity and craftsmanship. Happy Independence Day to everyone from MAACM!