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Craft in America

Blacksmith Philip Simmons

Philip Simmons (1912-2009) was a renowned blacksmith in Charleston, SC. At the age of 13, he dropped out of school and started his apprenticeship as an iron worker with Charleston native, Peter Simmons (no relation). Although his work ranges from ornamental fences, stair rails to window grills, he was most famous for his gates that contain elaborate designs of animals and trees.

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Season
CROSSROADS episode
52:40
Crossroads explores the intersections of craft, culture, and technology.
THREADS and CROSSROADS
53:10
THREADS explores weaving, storytelling through quilts and textiles
MESSAGES and FAMILY
52:41
Explore the creativity and personal dynamics of craft artist families.
MESSAGES episode
53:26
Many craft artists go beyond skill to personal and political expression in "Messages."
PROCESS episode
55:01
What inspires a career in craft? How does one learn a craft and make a living at it?
ORIGINS and PROCESS
55:01
Early craft techniques used by these artists are passed on in a continuum of creativity.
COMMUNITY episode
54:04
Community focuses on the connection artists have to their communities through craft.
MEMORY and LANDSCAPE and COMMUNITY
53:27
Landscape considers the influences on artists that translate into objects.
MEMORY episode
53:27
Memory looks to the dynamic of cultural history and personal heritage in creating objects.
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