American Craft Made Baltimore

Nora Atkinson is a nationally recognized curator and museum leader known for advancing bold, contemporary conversations around craft and design. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco, a non-collecting institution that champions creative mastery, fosters transformative experiences, and inspires a more thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted world.

Previously, she was the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, where she curated four original exhibitions, reimagined the permanent collection galleries, and authored key publications including This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World. Her exhibitions No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man and Murder Is Her Hobby earned her the title of “Best Boundary-Pushing Curator” from Washingtonian Magazine in 2018.

Atkinson began her career at Bellevue Arts Museum in Washington State and holds an MA in Museology and a BA in Photography from the University of Washington.

My studio art glass practice is deeply influenced by the innovative spirit of PostModernism. Through vibrant colors and intricate arrangements, I create visually captivating sculptures and objects that embody both beauty and meaning. Drawing inspiration from street art and cherished childhood memories, my work transcends boundaries to offer a profound representation of the human experience.

My artistic journey requires discipline, dedication, and a strong sense of community. Collaborating with youth arts organizations and marginalized communities over the past decade has allowed me to refine my techniques while nurturing a robust social practice. I strive to make art accessible to all and support emerging artists to reach their full potential.

Ultimately, my goal is to create art that resonates with viewers, combining beauty with profound concepts. I believe in the transformative power of art and aim to contribute to a world where everyone has access to it.

Cara Ober is an artist, arts writer, curator, and the Executive Director and Publisher at BmoreArt, Baltimore’s platform for art and culture, which includes web and print publishing, artist books, a gallery, and events series. She writes regularly about artist, museum, and material culture, with emphasis on context and subtext in the art world. In addition to her regular writing and editing for BmoreArt, Ober has published articles in New York Magazine, Hyperallergic, Burnaway, Art Papers, ARTnews, and currently writes a monthly art column at The Baltimore Banner.

Thomas (Tom) Turner has been a practicing jewelry artist for over 42 years. His award-winning designs and custom pieces have been featured in shows, galleries, and private collections throughout the United States. He served as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University for over 20 years and served on the Board of Directors for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, bringing his thoughts and national experience to the Institution that gave him his start.

Beginning in 2001, Tom has served on the American Craft Council Board of Trustees for multiple terms, ultimately being recognized as an American Craft Council Life Trustee in 2019. Throughout his tenure on the board, Tom has been a key representative for the practicing craft artist and a champion for programs supporting emerging artists.

Nora Atkinson is a nationally recognized curator and museum leader known for advancing bold, contemporary conversations around craft and design. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Museum of Craft and Design in San Francisco, a non-collecting institution that champions creative mastery, fosters transformative experiences, and inspires a more thoughtfully designed, beautifully crafted world.

Previously, she was the Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, where she curated four original exhibitions, reimagined the permanent collection galleries, and authored key publications including This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World. Her exhibitions No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man and Murder Is Her Hobby earned her the title of “Best Boundary-Pushing Curator” from Washingtonian Magazine in 2018.

Atkinson began her career at Bellevue Arts Museum in Washington State and holds an MA in Museology and a BA in Photography from the University of Washington.

My studio art glass practice is deeply influenced by the innovative spirit of PostModernism. Through vibrant colors and intricate arrangements, I create visually captivating sculptures and objects that embody both beauty and meaning. Drawing inspiration from street art and cherished childhood memories, my work transcends boundaries to offer a profound representation of the human experience.

My artistic journey requires discipline, dedication, and a strong sense of community. Collaborating with youth arts organizations and marginalized communities over the past decade has allowed me to refine my techniques while nurturing a robust social practice. I strive to make art accessible to all and support emerging artists to reach their full potential.

Ultimately, my goal is to create art that resonates with viewers, combining beauty with profound concepts. I believe in the transformative power of art and aim to contribute to a world where everyone has access to it.

Cara Ober is an artist, arts writer, curator, and the Executive Director and Publisher at BmoreArt, Baltimore’s platform for art and culture, which includes web and print publishing, artist books, a gallery, and events series. She writes regularly about artist, museum, and material culture, with emphasis on context and subtext in the art world. In addition to her regular writing and editing for BmoreArt, Ober has published articles in New York Magazine, Hyperallergic, Burnaway, Art Papers, ARTnews, and currently writes a monthly art column at The Baltimore Banner.