The American arts and crafts movement developed out of the British arts and crafts movement (late 1800s). It used the same styles, but the results were quite different. The ideas of the American arts and crafts movement also differed greatly from the ideas era before it (the Victorian era). The end of the British arts and crafts movement was signaled by the death of William Morris in 1896, which also signaled the beginning of the American movement.
The first American arts and crafts society was The Chalk and Chisel Club, founded in 1895. House Beautiful, founded in Minneapolis, was a very influential arts and crafts magazine. House Beautiful often featured the famous craftsmen of the day and by 1897, arts and crafts societies became regular in American cities. The first arts and crafts exhibit also occurred that year in Boston. Its success caused the creation of more arts and crafts societies
Gustav Stickley and his simple, geometric designs defined the American arts and crafts Movement in the early 20th century. Stickley was an advocate for the movement’s ideas. Stickley enjoyed designing homes to go along with the furniture he created instead of vice versa. His house designs were based upon the principles of honesty, simplicity, and usefulness. Stickley eventually began a magazine called Craftsman in 1901 so that he could showcase his work. Craftsman also displayed the “ideals” of the crafting life like furniture and architectural plans. Because of the Craftsman magazine, the years of 1901-1916 were called the Craftsman movement because of the magazine’s strong influence.
The American Arts & Crafts Movement
by Paulina Lipman