Small-scale masterpieces: 'Craft in America' travels to Santa Fe to features miniature art, artists

Art comes in all sizes.

Miniatures are made with the same precision on a smaller scale.

This is one of the many reasons “Craft in America” wanted to film an episode in New Mexico.

The series brought a team during the International Folk Art Market in 2022.

“It’s a really compelling type of art,” says Patricia Bischetti, executive producer and director. “A lot of people collect them. It’s really interesting to see the varying scope of miniatures.”

The “Craft in America” episode called “Miniatures” will air at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also be available to stream on the PBS app.

The documentary series takes viewers on the journey of discovering the beauty, significance and relevance of handmade objects and the artists who make them.

During a holiday season where inspiration, craft and human touch are at the fore, the series explores these themes through communities and distinguished artists of varied backgrounds and disciplines impacting new generations of makers.

Bischetti says one of the artists showcased is Mark Murphy, a miniaturist living and working in Astoria, Oregon.

Small-scale masterpieces: 'Craft in America' travels to Santa Fe to features miniature art, artists

“Mark shares his process for creating intricately detailed miniature furniture,” she says. “We travel with him to the Chicago International Miniatures Show and connect with his community of other remarkable miniature artists.”

The team then travels to Santa Fe to reveal the iconic 20th-century designer Alexander Girard’s passion for folk art through the “Multiple Visions” exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art.

In the 1980s, Girard transformed his collection of over 100,000 pieces of miniature folk art from all over the world into one expansive exhibition that has been displayed exactly as he designed it for over 40 years.

The team also spent time at the International Folk Art Market where artists and makers from around the world including Mexico, Peru, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, Eswatini and more share their practices and culture through miniature folk art and other craft traditions.

The show also highlights the work of prolific multidisciplinary artist, Gustave Baumann, who created paintings, woodblock prints and marionettes in the first half of the 20th century. Baumann was deeply inspired by the landscape and people of Santa Fe, and the city keeps his legacy alive today with their yearly Christmas marionette show.

“We’ve been trying to include the Folk Art Market for a while and we realize there are so many artists that work in miniatures,” she says. “We were there for a few days and then went back for the Gustav Baumann annual marionette show.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.