Craft Capital: Philadelphia’s Cultures of Making

How can a broken artifact represent a city? The Liberty Bell cracked on the very first attempt to make it sound, and had to be recast twice and remolded with additional copper to improve its alloy. Today, it hangs in Independence Hall, where it remains a symbol of American freedom as well as an unbeatable icon of Philadelphia craft. This collection of essays from writers and curators connects Philadelphia’s heritage to its current stature as a national craft capital. Explore one of America’s most creative cities in this trailblazer for city-based studies of contemporary craft, and discover how small workshops for fabric, wool, ceramics, and textile starting as early as 1751 grew into the still expanding craft world that we have today. With a reputation for rich history and creativity, Philadelphia can now be explored simultaneously through the view of both in this perfect tour for craft and history enthusiasts alike. AUTHOR: CraftNOW Philadelphia was launched in 2015 as an initiative with the mission to promote Philadelphia as a national center for craft makers, scholars, curators, educators, and cultural devotees locally, nationally, and internationally.