I have heard a few comments from a local arts commission and recently a museum auction, that views "jewelry" as a "craft" versus an "art". I will have to disagree on this generalization.
Wikipedia's descriptions:
A craft is a skill, especially involving practical arts. It may refer to a trade or particular art.
The term is often used to describe the family of artistic practices within the decorative arts that traditionally are defined by their relationship to functional or utilitarian products (such as sculptural forms in the vessel tradition) or by their use of such natural media as wood, clay, glass, textiles, and metal. Crafts practiced by independent artists working alone or in small groups are often referred to as studio craft. Studio craft includes studio pottery, metal work, weaving, wood turning and other forms of wood working, glass blowing, and glass art.
Folk art follows craft traditions, in contrast to fine art or "high art".
In contrast Wikipedia's description for "fine art"
"Fine art or the fine arts describes an art form developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery".[1]
Historically, the fine arts were limited to painting, sculpture, architecture and engraving.[2] Today, the fine arts commonly include visual and performing art forms, such as painting, sculpture, installation, Calligraphy, music, dance, theatre, architecture, photography and printmaking. However, in some institutes of learning or in museums fine art, and frequently the term fine arts (pl.) as well, are associated exclusively with the visual art forms."
I view "craft" as something you usually receive a kit or instructions to tell you how to do your "craft". Art I see as something that is created from nothing but an idea...you choose the media and decide how it all goes together and the emotion, message, design you are trying to convey. I am also thinking of other instances where painting or sculpture is considered in the fine arts, but not other medias. I think jewelry is sculpture on a smaller scale. I do not think that all jewelry is practical and there are definitely concepts behind the glass, metal, fiber, and wood art I have seen at galleries.
So, I ask for your thoughts on this discussion and wonder how to change this view by museums and art organizations? Just on my mind today.
