Here we are in the final days of the holiday season. I was thinking about this in the context of arts and crafts. While I have attended music concerts and the theater in the previous weeks, I've also attended a couple of arts and craft fairs. Artisans seeking opportunities to sell their creations and shoppers looking for some original gifts to give. (Thank you all for that from those of us who create.)
I guess my question is, "Where is the line between art and craft?" Sometimes the difference is obvious. Like an apron or a painting. But other times I'm not so sure. If it's utilitarian does that make it a craft and decorative makes it art? Is a self-published cookbook a craft and a self-published book of poetry considered art? Six years ago I released a CD of Christmas Carols. Depending upon the definition that may be considered a craft project.
A few years ago my wife and I attended a quilt show. Most of these quilts were stunning to look at. Many of them were meant to be hung on a wall like a painting. The design and workmanship fall well beyond the scope of skill and cleverness. If a composer wrote music with same level of talent he/she would be called a genius. And yet most galleries would consider this a craft not worthy to be associated with the fine art displayed in their space.
It seems to me that society too often treats craftsmen as poor cousins of the artists. And if the craftsman is exceptional, then they might get elevated to "almost artist" status. But I've come to believe that the craftsman and the artist are siblings. Different in some ways and very alike in others. They have a mutual love and respect that is familial. The quality and originality of their work is not any indicator at all. There is genius and mundane in each.
On a different note (sorry, but musician puns are difficult to avoid) this is a time when holy days of various beliefs converge. Regardless of how or if you pray, I wish peace and love and blessings from my house to yours.