The new edition of American Craft has an article that should excite polymer clay fans. It is the story of Elise Winters’ latest success in her saga to have polymer clay be declared “museum quality”. As a bonus there are gorgeous images of work by Elise and other artists.
It is a long road and her latest success is just one stop. On the other hand, polymer clay is relatively new to the art world, reaching the U.S. in the 1970s, unlike oil painting, for instance, which dates back to the 1300′s or mosaics from 2000 b.c. (You get the idea.) This means her planning, foresight, and successes are just short of remarkable.
Elise has been focused on moving polymer clay from being classified as craft and hobby to fine art and museums. Her art is has been featured and is sold all over the country. The movement to support this medium as “museum quality” is gaining momentum. Ornament magazine did a wonderful feature story on polymer clay art and artists in July of this year. Kathleen Dustin, anothere fantastic polymer clay artist who has help this art form develop, has been featured in Smithsonian Magazine. She has exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum, twice, as a craftsman. Her creations have been featured in numerous museum shows and collections.
The versatility and accessibility of polymer clay sets it apart as a medium.