Notes from the Farms

NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE JOURNAL OF THE STICKLEY MUSEUM AT CRAFTSMAN FARMS NEW LIGHTING AT CRAFTSMAN FARMS! From the Director’s Chair ears of research and thought went Yinto the Stickley Museum at —Vonda K. Givens Craftsman Farms’ exterior lighting plan and this past summer that plan recently interviewed this year’s became reality as eight lampposts were ICraftsman Gala honoree Bob Ellison installed on the property. at his NYC home (to read more about Ellison in his own words, see his essay The lampposts were part of a lighting on pgs. 4-5). A trailblazing collector of plan first initiated by the museum’s American Art Pottery, Ellison began his campus committee. Led by Trustee and collection in the mid-1960s. At the time, architect Don Hafner, the committee the designation “art pottery” was not yet studied the historic landscape of the in common use. Of these early days, El- property—including photos from The lison said to me, “I began collecting art Craftsman magazine (see below) that pottery before I knew it was art pottery.” featured views of the lampposts in- lanterns to light the walkways for Over his many years of collecting, El- stalled by Stickley—and examined the program attendees,” said Executive lison has been a particular champion current needs of the museum. Director Vonda Givens, “but we always of the work of George Ohr, dedicating had lingering worries about safety.” Though evening programs had long considerable energy to raising aware- Those worries both influenced and ness of Ohr’s genius. As he assembled been a staple of educational program- accelerated the campus committees’ a remarkable collection of Ohr’s ming, the lack of lighting had been a pottery, Ellison also dedicated his time perpetual concern, especially during the efforts. A lighting map and a plan to researching and writing about Ohr. winter months. November elections, for fixtures was developed and then Admiration for Ohr’s creative vision after the site became a Parsippany-Troy collaboration began with Brian Bosen- and curiosity about its impact, led Hills voting precinct in 2014, and berg, the museum’s long time historic him to seek out the work of artists he December holiday programs brought landscape architect, who assumed considers to be Ohr’s successors. And hundreds of people to Craftsman Farms management of the project. he has collected their pottery too. He after the sun set in the late afternoon. is working on a new book about Ohr, In a presentation to the Council for which he plans to finish next year. “The Township provided auxiliary the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, which owns the property, the executive During our interview, Ellison walked lighting to assist voters, and we used me through his evolved—and evolv- ing—vision as both a collector and student of art pottery. I was fascinated to learn that after more than 50 years of making discoveries about art pottery, Ellison is still making discoveries about art pottery. In fact, I left with the distinct impression that he is just getting started. As I reflected on our conversation on Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 Fall 2018 Vol. 27, No. 4 NOTES FROM THE FARMS Director’s Chair continued from page 1 New Lighting continued from page 1 the train ride back to New Jersey, I found director addressed the need for exterior lighting and requested assistance myself as captivated by the depth of Ellison’s with funding. The Council agreed to fund the project and a related ar- enthusiasm for art pottery as I was by the chaeological study that would be undertaken to advance understanding of depth of his knowledge. He has been think- the historic landscape. ing about, viewing, pondering, investigating, discussing, researching, and writing about art The project began with an archaeological dig in December 2017 (findings pottery for more than 50 years. He has said were presented in an April 2018 program and will be featured in a later a lot on the subject already, and he has a lot newsletter). Meanwhile, Bosenberg worked on sourcing the new lanterns, more to say. For me, Ellison’s single-minded modern interpretations of Stickley’s fixtures, which were likely Dietz passion was thrilling. It’s contagious. I was kerosene lanterns—produced in Syracuse, NY and in common use by rail- inspired by that afternoon in a way that’s roads at the time—placed atop rough-cut cedar posts (see cover photo). with me still. The new lighting would again utilize cedar posts, eight feet in height and, Such single-minded passion brings Gustav Stickley to mind. It was a single-minded as in Stickley’s time, unfinished and intentionally rustic. Exposed to the el- passion that propelled him to build Crafts- ements, each post will acquire its own natural patina. “The New Jersey sun, man Farms—an embodiment of the Arts and wind, rain, and snow will do their part to ‘finish’ each post,” said Givens. “In Crafts ideals he cherished. As I recently said time, the posts will both enhance and blend into the landscape.” to a tour group, “At 52, he was already suc- The black lanterns were sourced from W. T. Kirkman, which based the design cessful and could have coasted to retirement. of its Frontier Lamp on patterns from the 1880s. Customized for Craftsman Instead he built Craftsman Farms.” He was Farms, the lanterns offer a variety of advantages that Stickley would surely just getting started. have coveted, including long-lasting LED bulbs and a digital timer. After 10 years at the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms, I can attest to the power Unseasonably rainy weather stalled the project in the summer, but it was of Stickley’s single-minded Arts and Crafts finally begun in late July with trenching across much of the property. vision. I can attest to its infectiousness and Once begun, the persistent rainfall rarely interrupted progress and within its ability to inspire people, even now, more a week the new lampposts were in place, along with two new uplights po- than 100 years since Craftsman Farms was sitioned in front of the Log House porch, to enhance nighttime views and built. That vision has been relayed across discourage vandalism, and three rail lights affixed to the fence running generations to us today, and through Crafts- parallel to the parking lot. man Farms, Stickley’s vision remains mani- fest in physical form. It our privilege to share Upon completion about half of the campus committee’s original light- in it and to pass it on to future generations. ing plan will be realized. In the future, the museum will add lighting Sharing Stickley’s vision is what our upcom- around the property’s perimeter and in the parking lot, but for now, ing celebratory weekend, October 13-14, is all “it’s a monumental improvement,” said Givens, “and what’s more the about. The Stickley Weekend, which includes lampposts are also beautiful—both useful and beautiful and perfect for the annual Scholars Symposium, the Craftsman Craftsman Farms!” Gala, and the Open House (for more see pages 3, 6 and 7), is about bringing together people who are inspired by Gustav Stickley’s vision. It’s about honoring Craftsman Farms’ past, shap- ing its present and looking ahead to its future. We hope you’ll want to be part of it because, when it comes to our vision for the future of Craftsman Farms, we’re just getting started. Bob Ellison with Executive Director Vonda Givens Page 2 Fall 2018 NOTES FROM THE FARMS THE CRAFTSMAN GALA 2018 oin us during Stickley Weekend, October 13-14, for the Craftsman Gala Jon Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at the Mountain Lakes Club in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. This annual event, which begins with cocktails at sunset overlooking beautiful Mountain Lake, brings together old friends and new from around the country in support of the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. Delicious food and fun will be on the menu for the evening along with a wine pull and live and silent auctions. At this year’s Gala, the museum will be paying tribute to Robert A. Ellison Jr., pioneering collector of American Art Pottery (for more Ellison, see his essay on pg. 4). While assembling his renowned collection in the mid-1960s to the present, Ellison also has worked to further knowledge and understanding of American Art Pottery, becoming one of its greatest champions. The Gala will celebrate Ellison as an important and discerning collector and scholar whose lifelong dedication to American Art Pottery will benefit scholarship for years to come. Ellison will be introduced by special guest David Rago of Rago Arts and Auction Center, who will also serve as auctioneer for the live auction. STICKLEY WEEKEND EVEnts Saturday & Sunday, October 13-14 We hope you’ll be part of this special evening, which is Symposium the museum’s most important annual fundraiser and Saturday, October 13, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. supports its daily efforts to share and continue the leg- Member: $45, Non Member: $55, Student: $25 acy of Gustav Stickley and Craftsman Farms. If you’re The Symposium fee includes a boxed lunch onsite at unable to attend, you can still participate: become an noon. Advance registration required at StickleyMuseum.org or event sponsor, donate to the silent or live auction, buy 973.540.0311. an ad in the Gala program, and bid on auction items. Call the administrative office for more information Craftsman Gala (973-540-0311) and watch for news on our eblasts Saturday, October 13, beginning at 6 p.m.

Load more