The Pleasure of Making, an exhibition of hobbyists and crafters

Exhibition Dates: January 24, 2020 – February 15, 2020

Opening Reception: Friday, January 24, 7-10 pm

The Pleasure of Making is an exhibition of created works by local hobbyists and crafters. These makers create to continuously learn, to engage deeply, to observe and problem solve, to confront the challenges of techniques, refine skills, remain curious, relieve stress, to share and form a community, but ultimately, they create for pleasure. This concept of learning a craft and engaging in a hobby seems to be on the decline while our leisure time is increasingly being consumed by digital content. Seemingly with this rise are feelings of increased isolation, passive entertainment, a fear of learning new skills, and less sharing of traditional craft knowledge between the generations. Research studies have shown that engaging in a hobby can lead to a more joyful, calm, and empathetic life, while helping to ease a range of mental and physical afflictions. The Pleasure of Making is an exhibition that lauds not only the displayed craftworks, but also the dedicated time and devotion of each maker. This exhibition is organized and curated by ICOSA member Tammie Rubin.

About the Curator:

Tammie Rubin is a sculptor and educator whose artwork explores the gaps between the readymade and the handcrafted object, opening up dream-like spaces of unexpected associations and dislocations. Rubin has exhibited nationally, recent exhibitions include Women & Their Work, Austin, TX; the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX; Horton Gallery, San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, CA; and George Carver Museum, Austin, TX. Rubin is a recipient of grants from the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Artist Trust Grants for Artist Projects Seattle, and an Artist Project Grant from the Illinois Arts Council. Her work has been featured in online and printed publications such as Artforum, Art in America, Glasstire, Sightlines, fields, Conflict of Interest, Arts and Culture Texas, Ceramics: Art & Perception, and Ceramics Monthly. Rubin is a member of ICOSA Art Collective and a founding member of Black Mountain Project. Born and raised in Chicago, Rubin currently lives in Austin, Texas where she is an Associate Professor of Ceramics & Sculpture at St. Edward’s University.