Spotlight on Maker: Michael Rogers

Mini introduction on who you are, where you are from and what you do.

My name is Michael Rogers. I am an artist and an educator. I had taught 10 years in Japan as head of the Glass program at Aichi University of Education. While on sabbatical from teaching in Japan I taught one year at Ohio State University in their glass program. I have finished teaching 17 years at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Crafts in the glass program one year of which I returned to Japan to teach at Osaka University of Art.

I maintain my studio near Rochester, New York and also am very involved with IRMACollaborative a non-profit arts organization with a glass studio in Riga, Latvia.

I travel, lecture and exhibit extensively internationally.

What makes you passionate about your craft/profession?

Passion is the one thing I have found difficult if not impossible to teach over the years however I have attempted to inspire others as to the significance of art and craft and the potential these disciplines hold for those interested in pursuing a life and career in the visual arts. Making things is a form of thinking. Art is a visual language and so like other forms of language essential for expression, invention, discovery and ideation. Craft can be seen as a form of grammar that allows the practitioner to express themselves as they specifically or otherwise intend. Craft as a discipline requires dexterity, an understanding of materials and process along with the ability to visualize what is to be made. These skills can be carried over into other disciplines as well. All disciplines embody aspects of craft.

Why does craft matter?

In short craft liberates people in the same way that learning how to read enables one to transcend their limitations. Essentially craft is about freedom, empowerment, expression and self-realization.

With visual language craft enables one to speak clearly and concisely with regards to intention. We are progressively moving from a text based to an image-based world. In this respect craft and the ability to master visual grammar will only become more important.

I hope this satisfies your requirements. One could easily organize a symposium around questions about the significance of craft. We tend to categorize disciplines which can be helpful for understanding those disciplines, however craft seems to be an aspect of all disciplines. Craft in any form has the potential to enlighten within and across disciplines.