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Their names are synonymous with inspired, often groundbreaking achievement in craft. Their work can be found in museums, public spaces an private collections across the country. By teaching and example, they have influenced generations of craftspeople and helped shape the look of the world around us. In a ceremony October 26 in Seattle, the American Craft Council will present its 1 996 Gold Medal, for consummate craftsmanship, to Jack Lenor Larsen, Ronald Hayes Pearson and June Schwarcz, and induct eight new peer-elected members to its College of Fellows: Garry Knox Bennett, Betty Cooke, Helena Hernmarck, Claude Horan, Mary Lee Hu, Jun Kaneko, Jean Griffith and Virginia Harvey.
Also that evening, Mark Levine will receive the Aileen Osborn Webb Award for service to the field, named for ACC's founder. The council's Award of Distinction will be given to the Anderson Ranch Arts Center and Pottery Northwest, both celebrating 30th anniversaries; to the Wharton Esherick Museum, in honor of the unique artistry of its namesake; and to Laurie Hall, for exemplary teaching at the kindergarten through grade 12 level.
JACK LENOR LARSEN
'A person can be passed over for an honor because he has been intimately involved with the organization sponsoring the award; because he has already been greatly honored; because the voting members are sensitive about appearing to favor their own. Yet sometimes it becomes obvious that the candidate more than fulfills the standards and is richly deserving of the honor. Jack Lenor Larsen is such a person.
"His design work and influence within the craft and design worlds have been legendary over four decades. His public record is well known-the seminal books written, the chairmanships, the awards. But I'm not sure that the quiet help he has given individuals is known. Many have benefited from his sponsorship in various situations, and from his forthright suggestions. His total commitment to the craft field is evident in all aspects of his life. -Cynthia Schira, Fellow, 1992 Born 1927, in Seattle, Washington. Lives in New York City, where his textile and furnishings design company is based, and in East Hampton, New York, site of LongHouse, the home and gardens he built as an environment for his acclaimed collection of crafts. Attended University of Washington (1945), Cranbrook Academy of...