An International Survey of Recent Painting and Sculpture

THE EXPANDING WORLD OF AMERICAN CRAFTS

By Lisa HAMMEL

OVER the last decade, crafts have changed enormously. No longer just the products of cottage industries or homemade wares sold at street markets, crafts works in clay, metal, glass, fibers and wood are being purchased by major museums, exhibited at specialized galleries, shown at major crafts fairs and, most importantly, sought by a growing group of collectors. While the interest in functional crafts continues to grow, the stronger trend is toward crafts as art, today's craftsmen as professionals and the sale of their works as a business. ''There are more professionals engaged in making everything from wearable art to handmade furniture to clay and glass sculpture,'' said Paul J. Smith, director of the American Craft Museum in Manhattan. ''There are increased opportunities for work to be shown and sold: more museums originating exhibitions and greater support of the artist through active and serious collecting.''

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