Thrive

Makers are the heart of Mingei–from those who illustrate migratory journeys with embroidered stitches to those who carve spoons of olive wood for serving hearty winter soups. Some make out of necessity, others for joy and expression, and we all share a sense of wonder and appreciation for the finished work. Honoring and celebrating artists and makers is integral to Mingei’s mission–we aim to uplift their creativity and help them thrive!

Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo showcases several artists who are approaching craft traditions with a new aesthetic, and our coming spring exhibitions will feature many contemporary objects alongside the traditional. Recent acquisitions and donations have brought newly made artwork into the Museum’s collection, and the library features books written by exhibiting artists and creative thought leaders–you can even attend a library lecture and meet the writers in person! Shop Mingei always features a well-curated collection of pieces from makers across the globe, including those from right here in our region.

Perhaps one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take a leap of creativity. If you are looking to try a new process or make something yourself, Mingei offers a wide range of opportunities to learn and experiment. (I participated in one of Porfirio Gutierrez’s felting workshops in November, and it was both satisfying and great fun!) There will be a fresh batch of programs and events this winter, allowing you to immerse yourself in a topic, try your hand at a new medium, enjoy meals in the company of loved ones, and expand your understanding of folk art, craft, and design.

As you read our 2024 Impact Report, you’ll learn even more about the efforts of the Mingei staff to bring people together through exhibitions, community programming, education, and philanthropy. Mingei’s thriving community includes you, and we hope you’ll feel called to visit the Museum in all seasons.

I hope to see you at the Museum soon!

Jessica Hanson York
Executive Director & CEO

Our 2024 Impact Report focuses on the ways in which we have kept community at the center of our efforts. Through highlighting artists across the globe, being a hub for creative minds in our city, and offering learning opportunities for all ages and stages of the artistic journey, we've been a Museum of the people, for the people. We’re grateful to look back on a remarkable year, and we can’t wait to see how Mingei’s community thrives in 2025.

Mingei’s permanent collection consists of over 30,000 objects of folk art, craft, and design. As the curatorial team takes time to review the collection and assess the museum’s storage capacity (full to the brim!), the Museum has significantly slowed its rate of collecting. Acquisitions (both purchases and gifts) are considered with great care and intention and reflect the Museum’s strategic collecting goals. Among Mingei’s most important goals is the commitment to exhibit and collect the work of contemporary artists working in craft and design. The following are some acquisition highlights from the past year:

Several works of contemporary art and craft were purchased for exhibition in Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo, including works by Laura Kina, Christina Kim (dosa Couture), Aranya Naturals Artisans, Khalid Khatri, and Irfan Anwar Khatri. A highlight of Blue Gold, Shelly Jyoti’s 18th Century Merchant Ship, explores the impact of the indigo trade in her home country of India, as well as the traditional textile craft known as ajrakh. With generous support from Audrey Ratner, the Museum has acquired one woven panel from Porfirio Gutiérrez’ magnificent installation entitled Temporary Spaces, which evokes the migration of monarch butterflies and people who must cross geopolitical borders to survive. Dawn, a woven work by Bay-Area artist Youngmin Lee, reflects her embrace of the traditional Korean textile arts of jogakbo and bojagi and her reconnection with her own heritage.

A stunning jacket by San Diego artist, Claudia Rodriguez-Biezunski (Sew Loka), recently acquired by Mingei and on view at the San Diego Airport through January 2025, will be featured in Mingei’s spring exhibition, Fashioning an Icon: Virgin of Guadalupe in Textile Design.

Donations to the collection include a side table designed by renowned artist Mira Nakashima, who gifted the work in conjunction with her presentation of the Museum’s annual Axelrod Lecture in May. Tom Owen-Towle’s gift in honor of Carolyn Owen-Towle features numerous mid-century ceramics, including a bowl by Martha Longenecker, Mingei’s founding director! The Estate of the late artist Marvin Lipofsky donated wooden tools from his glass studio, wonderfully blackened where they shaped the molten glass. The tools accompany an earlier gift of glass works from Lipofsky’s estate. Selections from the Estate of Hope and Roy Turney include, among other things, a marvelous collection of Mexican milagros–small figural objects of silver and tin used in devotional shrine practice. Other gifts include vintage Japanese sock molds, a Chinese quilt, and contemporary Japanese ceramic vessels.

Mingei is grateful for the support of those who have donated works of art and those who have generously contributed toward Museum purchases.

Thank you to our recent object donors:
Gordon Brodfuehrer
Theresa Lai
Levi Strauss & Co.
Marvin Lipofsky Estate
Mira Nakashima
Carolyn & Tom Owen-Towle
Rob Sidner
Hope & Roy Turney Estate

While we continue to welcome thousands of visitors to our landmark exhibition Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo, Mingei’s teams are busy preparing for a full slate of spring exhibitions. Here’s a glance at what’s coming up in April and May of 2025!

Fashioning an Icon: Virgin of Guadalupe Imagery in Textile Design features the Virgin of Guadalupe's representation on clothing and adornment. Objects range from traditional garments created by over 70 artists from Mexico to a selection of local artistic interpretations of la Virgin. Inspired by her history as a religious icon, these works explore the Virgin of Guadalupe’s endurance as an iconic cultural symbol fashioned through creative expression.

On view April 5 - September 7, 2025.

It's time for Student Craft, our biennial exhibition featuring the work of local high school art students! Drawing inspiration from Fashioning an Icon, students are invited to create work exploring the visual themes of what makes a figure an icon. Students will select a personally meaningful iconic figure to explore through a variety of craft forms.

On view April 5 – August 17, 2025.

Historic Footprints: Native American Ledger Drawings from Fort Marion was organized collaboratively with faculty and students from UC San Diego and members of the Cheyenne-Arapaho and Kiowa tribal nations. The exhibition explores hand-drawn sketches on ledger paper made by Native American tribal members who were imprisoned in 1874 at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. The drawings bear witness to history and continue to inspire new generations of indigenous artists. The exhibition includes both historic and contemporary works.

On view April 12 – August 17, 2025.

Across the Spooniverse celebrates a universal implement—the spoon! Because of their role in food preparation and consumption, spoons are often symbolic of hospitality, generosity, and abundance. This exhibition presents over 100 spoons from across the globe and explores traditions of home, family, community, and culture that are associated with their use. Crafted from a variety of materials such as gourds, shells, animal horns, clay, wood, metals, and plastics, spoons are utilitarian objects that are also works of art, design, and craft.

On view April 12 – August 17, 2025.

Layered Narratives: Quilted Stories of Gender & Race at the 1876 Centennial examines a major historic event, America’s 100th anniversary, by looking at the period's quilts and discussing representation and socio-politics of the era. We look at the ways in which histories are shaped and how quilts can share personal stories, trends, and influences. The exhibition highlights quilts from the collection and, while the majority of the quilts represent Eurocentric perspectives, the contextual stories focus on underrepresented communities, bringing different perspectives and histories to light.

On view May 17 – November 16, 2025.

Tuck and Roll: The Art of Armadillos brings fun to our Entry Level cases by showcasing armadillo figures from Mingei’s permanent collection! Featuring works made by artisans across the Americas, this playful installation emphasizes how these extraordinary creatures have delighted people’s imagination.

On view May 24, 2025 – January 11, 2026.

Mingei International Museum’s first digital publication has arrived! Developed in conjunction with Blue Gold: The Art and Science of Indigo, this publication examines the complex chemical process that transforms plants into pigment while showcasing stunning objects from around the globe made with this prized blue dye. As part of Getty’s initiative, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, Blue Gold exemplifies the intersection of these disciplines.

The book highlights thirty-one individual objects along with seven object groupings that include textiles from West Africa, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, and China. These highlights are followed by a selection of installation images from the exhibition and ten essays that present new research by scholars from various backgrounds–art historians, artisans, and researchers. We hope that this publication will expand your understanding and enjoyment for the art and science of indigo.

Getty’s innovative, open-source platform, Quire, allows us to share scholarly content in a sustainable and flexible format.

From the beginning, Blue Gold sought to highlight the present use and study of indigo in conjunction with its historic past. Three titles in the library, written by exhibiting artists and presenters, exemplify this narrative. Enjoy this preview and browse the books in person on your next visit!

Bojagi: The Art of Korean Textiles by Youngmin Lee

Used for everything from storage and transporting objects to gift wrapping and ceremonial occasions, bojagi are found throughout daily life in Korea. Often made by hand, their creation involves not only aesthetic and practical choices, but respect for the fabric itself, as making bojagi is also often a “labor of love.” Youngmin Lee’s book provides a thorough description of these Korean wrapping cloths, their history, and tools and fabric used in their making. The chapter entitled “Projects” gives detailed instructions on how to make a variety of these versatile textiles.

Youngmin's book is available for purchase in Shop Mingei. She will also be presenting at Coffee & Conversations on April 18, 2025.

Indigo: The Blue Gold by Shelly Jyoti

Artist Shelly Jyoti approaches indigo with an eye toward its worldwide use and consequent value as an item of trade. Her works feature various symbols portraying these ideas–merchant ships, often gold in an indigo-dyed ocean and circular “continents” that are gold dots set, again, in indigo seas. These are portrayed through the ancient ajrakh technique of her native Gujarat. The book, published in conjunction with her exhibition of the same name at Chicago’s South Asia Institute, relates the history of indigo, especially indigo (Indigofera tinctoria) raised and manufactured in India, the exploitation of the laborers that farmed and prepared it and the ships that carried it to ports around the globe.

Artisans by Design: An Odyssey of Education for Textile Artisans in India by Judy Frater

Artisans by Design is the story of Judy Frater’s 50-year encounter with India and especially with Kutch, the arid region of Gujarat. Recognizing the remarkable skills of the artisans of Kutch and the need to preserve their traditional art, she made a career of studying these ebullient crafts. Her first exposure was to what has been described as “raucous” embroideries made by the somber women of this part of India. Several years later, when she was living there, a question asked by the daughter of the artist she was visiting, “Why are you studying us? Why don’t you help us!?” prompted her to co-found the Kala Raksha Trust and Museum which led to the establishment of India’s first school of design for artisans. Artisans by Design is Judy Frater’s own history of the establishment of the school. It is told through her eyes with vignettes of the artisans she met during her 30-year residency in Kutch. The book includes more than 200 images of the artisans and their work.

Judy Frater has also researched the use of indigo in Kutch. This research is presented in the Museum’s digital publication in her essay entitled Indigo in Kutch, India: Art and Science, Environment and Economics.

Judy's book is available for purchase in Shop Mingei. She will also be presenting at Coffee & Conversations on March 7, 2025.

Shop Mingei embodies the Museum’s mission to celebrate human creativity and the belief that useful objects can also be works of beauty. We asked makers, Lindsay Lewis of Lindsay Lewis Jewelry, Cynthia Main of Sunhouse Craft, and Ulrich “Ubi” Conrad Simpson of Mi Cocina, how they are able to find their stride in the world of art and commerce.

That year let me focus on testing sustainable materials, design prototypes using traditional techniques, and establish the beginning of my business, Sunhouse Craft.

I am a big believer in craft. My joy at connecting folks to land directly is huge, and I am honored to now have a shop on main street to carry forward the craft legacy of Berea, Kentucky.

Cynthia Main, Sunhouse Craft

I do like to set aside time to think. I’ll go to the beach or go surfing in the mornings. I think we need to give ourselves time to think, as creatives. You know, a business is just go, go, go.

I’m also looking at things that you wouldn’t normally look at for inspiration. The way that I challenge myself is I still work for other brands sometimes. I love doing [consulting] because that allows me to use a different part of my brain.

Ulrich “Ubi” Conrad Simpson, Mi Cocina

What do you hope others feel when they see your work?

Making is definitely my first way of communicating, more so than talking, and I hope people feel all the connectedness, all the practice and the love and joy that is the thriving feeling in our shop transmuted into our work. That is my hope!

Cynthia Main, Sunhouse Craft

I think it’s a connection. If you look at some of our prints, we have everything from modern diaspora prints to Guatemalan, Native American, French, etc. It’s a mixture and a combination, and the tying bond is the denim–the indigo and shades of it. Denim and indigo are one of the most pliable and changing things, but that’s the beauty of it. Indigo has a mind of its own. I’ve never found a shade of blue I didn’t love!

Ulrich “Ubi” Conrad Simpson, Mi Cocina

My favorite reaction is simply, “Wow, that’s different." I want people to see something they haven’t seen before and feel inspired. When people choose to wear something I created, I hope it brings them confidence in how they present themselves to the world.

Lindsay Lewis, Lindsay Lewis Jewelry

Here at Mingei, our community of supporters, artists, and members are at the heart of everything we do. We wouldn’t be Mingei without you! Mingei members are invited to come back in the New Year with a friend–it’s on us! Reach out to us at membership@mingei.org, and we’ll issue you a new guest pass, on the house.

If you are looking for new ways to get engaged or involved with the Museum, send us an email sharing some of your interests, and we’ll suggest upcoming programs.

Thank you, again, for your membership with Mingei, and cheers to another year of artistic inspiration, shared connections, and new experiences!

There’s still time to make a gift! Help Mingei continue to support our creative community by making a donation to the Annual Appeal. Your contribution will help us to honor our mission and traditions while supporting artists and propelling the future of craft forward.

Click here to view the 2024 Annual Appeal Supporters

Donors as of December 19, 2024

Roger Cornell spent his life in service to others. Born and raised in Hawaii, he later settled in La Jolla and enjoyed a professional career at Scripps Green Hospital and Scripps Clinic building the Dermatology Department. Over the years, he served on numerous arts and human services volunteer boards, including the City of San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture, the San Diego Performing Arts League, and many others. He was exceedingly generous with his time and financial support for the community.

Roger has been a leader and advocate for Mingei International Museum since the early 80s when the Museum was located at University Towne Center. He has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees and has been an impactful fundraiser. He chaired the Capital Campaign that enabled the Museum’s move to Balboa Park in the 90s and was a key generator of donor gifts for the recent transformative renovation of Mingei. He has introduced Mingei to countless new visitors and donors who have gone on to support and enjoy the Museum with their own friends and family. As Maureen Pecht King, Chairman Emerita at Mingei shared,“Roger’s name and his mission-driven enthusiasm for this Museum will forever be synonymous with Mingei!”

We are deeply grateful to Roger for the positive ripple effect he had on Mingei and those whose lives he touched with his generosity and friendship.