Are Art Shows Better Than Craft Shows? (What’s the difference?)

[@JoeHiltabidel]

I want to say Art invokes emotion or thought and Craft is more functional than thought provoking.

[@EvanReinheimer]

I agree that is a good place to start from. But there is quite a lot of non-functional craft that provokes thought. Craft seems to cross into art more than the other way around. So, the lines are not always super clear.

[@Oxymoroness]

I think the biggest difference between "Fine Art" and "Fine Craft" is simply "functional" vs. "non-functional". There is a craftsmenship element in "Fine Art" and an artistry element in "Fine Craft" - so it probably more likely boils down to "Do you use it, or wear it?" vs. "Do you hang it or display it?"

[@EvanReinheimer]

The defining lines are blurred and craft often crosses into art, I feel. There is quite a lot of non-functional craft. Much more than there is functional art probably. So that’s a good initial test of art vs craft.

[@WendyConverse-s2t]

I think time has blurred the lines between art and craft. Way back I think craft was indeed more utilitarian - you had blacksmiths, potters, weavers and armorers - all with a specific skill set that could be learned. An apprenticeship would teach you the skills to thrive in a particular craft and while your 'vision' might be seen in the decorative elements, ultimately, it was the function and craftmanship that was the most important to the final product. On the other hand, artists were looking primarily to express their vision in whatever medium they wanted to explore. While they could certainly improve their skills and craftmanship with time and practice, ultimately the most important thing to their work was the vision and the expression of ideas regardless of the surface on which it was put or how well it was executed. Of course there are varying skill levels within both craft and art and there are mediums which could rightfully fall within both craft and art depending what you are doing. For example, a portrait or nature photographer could be considered a craftsperson since they could viably 'learn' the skills necessary to take these photos successfully without having to apply any particular artistic vision. While an art photographer who is creating purely for their aesthetic and goes beyond merely capturing what is in front of the camera, could fall under the Fine Art category. At the same time, a clay sculptor might fall under art, while a traditional potter would fall under craft. But again, with so much crossover nowadays, the lines are definitely more blurred.

[@EvanReinheimer]

All great points here. I kind of enjoy that there is no one clear answer and that many works can cross over between art and craft.

[@svetlanapil8089]

I think the threshold in transition from craft into art is when an artists develops it's own voice and unique style even if the quality is still not there at first but people can immediately recognize the artists work.

[@EvanReinheimer]

Surely that can be a deciding factor between the two.

[@steveborn3455]

My understanding is that fine art is purely decorative while craft is functional

[@EvanReinheimer]

Sometimes. It’s around the holidays now and I would consider something like Christmas wreath making to be a craft, yet it is purely decorative. The line isn’t well defined but we know it when we see it. It’s hard to put it in to words.

[@RickDecorie]

I agree that there is a fine line between art and craft. I know craftsmen that turn out beautiful art, but I know of no artists that makes crafts. To me, art is to engage the senses. A craft is more utilitarian. So they both serve a purpose, but even the meaning of their purpose can be argued.

[@EvanReinheimer]

That’s kind of what I’ve boiled it down to also. There can be a pretty big overlap between the two. You’re definitely right that craft becomes art way more often than art would cross into craft.

[@billneff9569]

I'm a woodturner and there are always discussions in the turning community about whether what we do is art or craft. At an art show I was discussing this with a couple of other artists. After a few minutes, an artist who is a painter said. "You can have craft without art, but you can't have art without craft. Art is craft taken to different levels."

[@EvanReinheimer]

I like that.

[@10Gables]

I agree with the statement that lines have been blurred over time from the traditional definition of art and craft. Especially with the advent of social media where everyone calls themselves a photographer, a person stringing beads together from hobby lobby is a jeweler, someone who paints a premade ceramic form is a potter, etc. etc. etc. My personal explanation of art vs. craft is that art comes from the inside out while craft comes from the outside in irrespective of the medium used. In other words, art is storytelling from our own heart. Craft is repeating someone else's story while embellishing it with a little bit of our own creativity.

[@EvanReinheimer]

Ooh, I like that! The intent makes the difference.

[@yoshigirl5760]

anyone can do art but not everyone has the passion 4 it that makes the work great

[@jaxrolls3373]

I often have this discussion it is a challenge, I tend to think of an artist as someone who doesnt repeat themselves they may learn a technique and then push themselves in other directions to see what it can do, whereas craft makers seem to focus more on honing the skill and then being able to repeat it. For me it's not about the medium or the subject but an approach and an attitude of mind, I know plenty of makers who for me are artists even though they would be pigeonholed as crafters, because of the materials that they use, and yet they are constantly exploring and creating anew, whether it is functional or just aesthetically pleasing to me is irrelevant.

[@runnybabbit4516]

In observing people misunderstanding of words and confuse kitschy like art with craft Art is intuitive, depending how strong your inner voice is. All artist dedicate time to further their craft of choice Craft is creative problem solving at its finest

[@EvanReinheimer]

🎯

[@OverlandingPhotography]

Loggerhead :):)

[@carissafisher7514]

Art is unique, craft is copied