Ilse and Lloyd Ruocco’s Design Center, located in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego, was a foundation for the modern design community of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. Inside the Design Center brings to life a vignette of mid-twentieth century interior, lighting, and furniture design, featuring pieces by significant California designers, manufacturers, and craftspeople as selected by ...
Boundless: Reflections of the Southern California Landscapes in Midcentury Studio Ceramics explores how the physical, social, and political landscapes of the area shaped craft. Nearly 150 objects from Mingei’s permanent collection, set against large-scale photography, transport us to the breathtaking locations reflected in the ceramics. Through these landscapes and the awe-inspiring science of clay, glaze, and ...
Opening this fall, colorful quilts made from stitched feed sacks highlight the resourcefulness of early mid-twentieth century makers. In the 1930s and ‘40s, people affected by the Great Depression repurposed feed sacks—cotton bags used to package bulk dry goods—to make domestic items like quilts and clothes. Commercial manufacturers began printing feed sacks with vibrant patterns ...
Colorful quilts made from stitched feed sacks highlight the resourcefulness of early mid-twentieth century makers. Opening this fall, colorful quilts made from stitched feed sacks highlight the resourcefulness of early mid-twentieth century makers. In the 1930s and ‘40s, people affected by the Great Depression repurposed feed sacks—cotton bags used to package bulk dry goods—to make ...
This exhibition highlights the artistry and cultural memory embedded in early twentieth-century Philippine dress and handcrafted objects. Featured are faithful replicas of a 1920s women’s ensemble consisting of the camisa, pañuelo, saya, and optional sobrefalda—garments that blend evolving modern silhouettes with longstanding Filipino traditions of textile work and hand-finishing. Alongside the clothing are heritage handmade dolls from the 1940s, ...
Inspired by Restitched – Feed Sacks in Mid-Twentieth Century Quilts, join us for a conversation with Mashonda Tifrere, international curator and founder of ArtLeadHER and Art Genesis; Jennifer Findley, Mingei Board Chair, lead curator, and founder of JFiN Collective; and Denja Harris, San Diego-based fiber artist. Tifrere, inspired by the storytelling and heritage of traditional quilts, and Findley, ...
Join ceramic artist Josh Herman for a conversation about his creative process, with a special focus on the influence of master potters like Gertrud and Otto Natzler. Inspired by Boundless, Mingei’s exhibition celebrating midcentury ceramics, Herman will discuss his signature volcanic glaze textures, the tactile power of surface, and how historical techniques continue to shape his ...
Join us on January 25 to learn about the design practices of San Diego-based designer Nicholas Pourfard. Participants in this workshop have a unique opportunity to work with wooden shapes, transforming them into personalized small-scale chairs. Member Early Access is available by email only. Mingei Members will receive a registration link via email on Tuesday, January 20 at ...
Enjoy a dinner inspired by the cuisine of the Nordic Region, curated by Culinary Director Tim Kolanko, Chef Wesley Johnson, and Chef Tony Coito! Not seeing a reservation time? Email ARTIFACT at Mingei at contact@urbankitchengroup.com.
Beyond the Grain: Explorations in Woodwork celebrates the beauty of wood, the global craft traditions it inspires, and the artists who have transformed the medium. This entry-level installation largely draws from Mingei International Museum’s Permanent Collection to feature woodworking tools, vessels, molds, and furniture. Through fabrication, form, and figure, each object demonstrates the extraordinary design ...
Curated from Mingei International Museum’s Permanent Collection, this Entry Level exhibition explores the global significance of grains as a source of sustenance and an inspiration to human creativity. Grains such as corn, wheat, rice, quinoa, and oats are dietary staples around the world, their common presence forming important roles across communities and the cultures built ...
For this month’s Make at Mingei, we’ll create a wooden beaded coaster. In this workshop, participants will learn how to design and assemble a coaster using wooden beads and stringing techniques. The process focuses on pattern, balance, and craftsmanship, resulting in a functional object to take home. Member Early Access is available by email only. ...
