In collaboration with Queens University of Charlotte, this two-part class will take an in-depth look at the use of wood in the creation of art and craft. The series is designed after the collection currently exhibited at the Mint Museum "Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art and Craft", from Sept.1st - Jan. 6th 2013.

Part I- October 2^nd, 6:30pm-9pm

Curator's Talk & Tour, with Mint Museum Director of Craft + Design, Annie Carlano

This exhibition examines woodworking in contemporary art across a broad spectrum of practices and concepts. It engages aspects of art, craft, and design that have been characterized as "performative" and critique the traditional art/craft/design divide. There are approximately 80 works in the exhibition including vessels, furniture, sculptures, paintings, installations, and works by an international roster of artists, crafts persons, and designers. http://www.mintmuseum.org/upcoming-exhibition.html.

This timely exhibition addresses a heavily debated topic in the field: As the boundaries between art, craft, and design increasingly overlap, should these categories be redefined, and if so, how? Against the Grain uses the versatile medium of wood to address this issue, highlighting several artists represented in The Mint Museum's collection, such as Mark Lindquist and Robyn Horn, as well as several that have been identified as artists to collect in the future, including Hugo França and Matthias Pliessnig.

Part II - October 13^th, 10am-noon

A Look at the Use of Wood in Art Through the Centuries, with Loyd Dillon

Interior designer and educator Loyd Dillon, FIDS will discuss the historic use of wood as an artistic medium. Objects from Loyd's personal collection -- chairs, vessels, carvings, marquetry, etc. -- will help illustrate how wood has been used and is still being used in art and decorative craft.

Registration fee:

$40 Queens current students or alumni, Senior Scholars members and Mint Museum Members
$60 General Public