Craft in the Laboratory: The Science of Making Things

Permanent Collection

Mint Museum Uptown

About

Craft in the Laboratory: The Science of Making Things is the first installation in the Southeast to explore how craft artists and designers use science and math concepts when creating works of art.

Presented by Müller Corporation, Craft in the Laboratory also celebrates a reinstallation of the Mint’s Craft + Design Galleries—the first since 2010.

Co-curated by the Mint’s Senior Curator of Craft, Design, and Fashion Annie Carlano and Assistant Curator for Craft, Design, and Fashion Rebecca Elliot, Craft in the Laboratory includes 100 works from the Mint’s collection that are made from precious metals, wood, steel, polymers, and even agricultural waste, that emphasize the preciseness of science used to craft works of art. Made by nationally and internationally renowned artists, the objects are organized by material and subject throughout the galleries.

Recent acquisitions in the installation include She Holds the Key by artist Simone Elizabeth Saunders, Nyala Chair by Jomo Tariku, and Rainbow Chair by designer Patrick Norguet. Other works in the installation include artist Kate Malone’s stoneware vessels with crystalline glazes Mr. And Mrs. Tutti Atomic; artist Brent Kington’s forged and welded Weathervane; artist Susan Point’s carved and painted red cedar work Salmon Spawn Running; and designer Laura Kishimoto’s Yumi Chair II made of wood veneer and steel.

Craft in the Lab is accompanied by a catalog published by Dan Giles, Ltd.

Craft in the Lab Opening Celebration

May 21-22, 2022 | 11 AM-6 PM Saturday; 1-5 PM Sunday
Mint Museum Uptown
FREE

SATURDAY, MAY 21 | 2–3 PM
Craft in the Lab Artists Conversation
Internationally acclaimed and Ireland-based maker Joseph Walsh and Stanford University professor and maker Hideo Mabuchi discuss how science, technology, engineering, and math are used in their design processes.

SUNDAY, MAY 22 | 2–3 PM
Artist Talk: Silvia Levenson
Renowned international glass artist Silvia Levenson highlights her use of glass and printing techniques to reflect social narratives. These conversations are being presented in partnership with Müller Corporation and the Craft & Trade Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing trades and craft in Charlotte.

Craft in the Laboratory: The Science of Making Things is generously presented by Müller Corporation and the Craft & Trade Academy.

Craft in the Laboratory is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. The exhibition catalogue is supported by the John and Robyn Horn Foundation. Special thanks to STARworks Ceramics for hand crafting materials to help enhance this Mint Museum-organized exhibition.

Individually Supported By

Beth and Drew Quartapella

Mary Anne (M.A.) Rogers

Ann and Michael Tarwater

Rocky and Curtis Trenkelbach

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