The [Untold] Story of Craft  

Beginning in June 2025, Craft Contemporary will present a series of exhibitions interpreting the varied interactions between craft and the natural elements: air, water, earth, and fire. The exhibitions will highlight sustainability, accessibility, and connect visitors to the universal rhythms of the Earth. Significantly, these exhibitions will tell a new story of Craft in a contemporary world as we work together to heal global wounds through creativity and making. Craft Contemporary is pleased to announce the new Maker-in-Residence program, which is designed to provide a safe work environment for makers to experiment with and push the boundaries of contemporary craft. The Institute for Art and Olfaction, Craft Contemporary’s Maker-in-Residence, presents IAO Olfactory Storylab, an on-site experimental perfume laboratory that invites museum visitors to interact with perfumers as they explore personal and cultural narratives through scent. A curated roster of perfumers will be working on-site in the museum lobby every Saturday, 11 AM – 5 PM through the final day of the exhibition.

Click here to see the full list of participating perfumers and schedule.

“The perfumers participating in the Maker in Residence program reflect the diversity of the Los Angeles community and bring their unique cultural and intellectual heritage to the task of interpreting story with smell,” says Julianne Lee, Director of Projects at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. IAO founder Saskia Wilson-Brown adds: “The IAO team is delighted to stand behind this roster of talented people in presenting perfumery for what it is: A heterogeneous, vibrant, and ever-evolving artform.” 

Participating perfumers include Dana El Masri (Jazmin Saraï), Daniel Krasofski (IAO), Debbie Lin and Na-Moya Lawrence (SAMAR), Joe Merrell (The Eyes Are Always There), Julianne Lee (IAO), L’lia ‘Tizzle’ Thomas (Aromakaura), Maxwell Williams (UFO Parfums), Minetta Rogers (IAO), Miss Layla (fūm fragrances), Persephenie (Persephenie Botanicals), Saskia Wilson-Brown (IAO), Terry Carter (Travertine Atelier). 

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The [Untold] Story of Craft  

Beginning in June 2025, Craft Contemporary will present a series of exhibitions interpreting the varied interactions between craft and the natural elements: air, water, earth, and fire. The exhibitions will highlight sustainability, accessibility, and connect visitors to the universal rhythms of the Earth. Significantly, these exhibitions will tell a new story of Craft in a contemporary world as we work together to heal global wounds through creativity and making. 

Craft Contemporary wants to give a special thanks to its team of preparators and photographers who made possible the installation and documentation of our current exhibitions: 

Albert Huezo, Anna Marfleet, Asad Zaidi, Brenda Gonzalez, Calvin Coloma, Georgina Rios, Ro Vo, Sergi Garnica, Shawdalynn Hall, Tyson Coelho, Marc Walker 

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(Image Credits) Image of workshop by The Institute of Art and Olfaction. Courtesy of IAO.