Object Stories
These Object Stories are part of an ongoing community storytelling project of the American Craft Council where we invite artists, historians, curators, and industry leaders and professionals to share about objects that hold meaning for them. The pieces they present shed light on individual perspectives and underscore what is shared in our richly diverse community: that the objects we make, admire, live with, and inherit are much more than things. They are the embodiment of history, culture, and skill—and a testament to what we hold dear.
![impressionistic oval painting depicting a sun shining down on a landscape with a pond. There's a face in the pond and the landscape is catching fire](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/SQUARE-object-as-alex-anderson.jpg?itok=E87eAVhh)
[Object As...] Alex Anderson
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![shiny black ceramic vessel with coiled texture and various shapes on the surface](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/FULL-object-as-ebitenyefa-baralaye.jpg?itok=RosS449H)
[Object As...] Ebitenyefa Baralaye
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![Paper sculpture of two houses one red and one black connected by a red string](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/FULL-object-as-bukola-koiki.jpg?itok=HNK8Rw6l)
[Object As...] Bukola Koiki
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![model of a jeep with a barge made from a mattress tied to the top and various gear tied to the back pictured on a shoreline](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/FULL-object-as-leandro-gomez-quintero.jpg?itok=Tx0Fh6VB)
[Object As...] Leandro Gómez Quintero
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![wooden sculpture reminscent of a paddle or brush](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/SQUARE-object-as-james-maurelle.jpg?itok=akh9hjvT)
[Object As...] James Maurelle
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![ceramic sculpture of upside-down head with flowers leaves and dragonflies adhered to it](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-03/SQUARE-object-as-morel-doucet.jpg?itok=5QSQnonl)
[Object As...] Morel Doucet
Learn how one of our six "Object As..." participants brought their object into being and what it means to them, followed by a note from the curator.
![bronze sculpture shown in an airport terminal depicting figures and animals in a boat with oars](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Singletary%20Object%20Story_YVR%20Spirit%20of%20Haida%20Gwaii%202_Photo%20courtesy%20of%20the%20Vancouver%20International%20Airport%2C%20Canada%20copyright%20Bill%20Reid%20Estate.jpg?itok=mIurxgJ5)
Objects of Wonder: Preston Singletary
Three contributors share their object stories.
![handwoven carpet with striped patterns that are predominantly red with some black](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Bantjes%20Object_IMG_0421_Photo%20by%20Marian%20Bantjes.jpeg?itok=7aLCzHps)
Objects of Wonder: Marian Bantjes
Three contributors share their object stories.
![triptych showing the transition between the two phases of a hollographic card with an illustration of a bust of man in a suit on the left and an illustration of the buddha in a meditation pose on the right](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Ganesh%20Object_ambedkar%20buddha%20lenticular%20print_Photo%20by%20Chitra%20Ganesh.jpg?itok=O9XE1NcH)
Objects of Wonder: Chitra Ganesh
Three contributors share their object stories.
![handmade ceramic vessels of different shapes holding lemons incense and pencils arranged against a patterned textile backdrop](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Photo-courtesy-of-PJ-Gubatina-Policarpio.jpg?itok=4Il3yytq)
Nourishing Objects: PJ Gubatina Policarpio
Three contributors share stories behind meaningful works.
![ceramic tea tray with illustration of mountain lake with birds and flowers](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Photo-by-Adam-Chau.jpg?itok=zBXUo7Zy)
Nourishing Objects: Adam Chau
Three contributors share stories behind meaningful works.
![sculptural ceramic vessel featuring textured brown clay smiling and frowning masks and punk-inspired studs and chains](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/From%20Angelik%20Vizcarrondo-Laboy.%20Photo%20%20by%20Black%20Box%20Photography%2C%20courtesy%20of%20the%20Center%20for%20Craft%2C%20Ashville%2C%20N.C.%20Artwork%20courtesy%20of%20the%20artist.%20web_CCCD_10_2020_25_1.jpg?itok=HWeSfji4)
Nourishing Objects: Angelik Vizcarrondo-Laboy
Three contributors share stories behind meaningful works.
![Array of porcelain dumplings with one golden one on a gray surface](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2021-03/ShihStephanie_Dumplings_2.jpg?itok=ua4B7HLc)
How Stephanie H. Shih, and One of Her Dumplings, Nourishes Me
Object story by Juliana Rowen Barton.
![multimedia artwork in the style of a mobile featuring two eviscerated chickens hung from one leg](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Kostianovsky_T_Till-Death-Do-Us-Part_2.jpg?itok=QDD3Xdx8)
Treasured Objects: Gonzalo Casals
In four “object stories,” contributors share the personal significance of handcrafted gifts they’ve received.
![woman standing outside beside a building wearing traditional ribbon skirt](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/IMG_8630_square.jpg?itok=a_YsClvh)
Treasured Objects: Raven Halfmoon
In four “object stories,” contributors share the personal significance of handcrafted gifts they’ve received.
![woman in black and white patterned blouse holding an face mask thats part decorative and part protective](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/3.-Edith-Garcia-American-Craft-Council-Object-Stories.jpg?itok=wIIK3dWE)
Treasured Objects: Edith Garcia
In four “object stories,” contributors share the personal significance of handcrafted gifts they’ve received.
![ornate handmade hair comb made with wood wire and beads](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2022-02/Object-3_SQUARE.jpg?itok=gPbku1xf)
Treasured Objects: Lucille Tenazas
In four “object stories,” contributors share the personal significance of handcrafted gifts they’ve received.
![Header image for Celeste Malvar-Stewarts object story on her diamante ring](/sites/default/files/styles/square_small/public/2020-10/celeste-malvar-stewart-object-story-diamante-ring-720x405.jpg?itok=wAgzHmSA)
Object Story: My Filipino Diamante Ring
An eco-conscious fashion designer shares the story of the ring she’s worn for more than 20 years.