Penland School of Craft was started by a remarkable woman named Lucy Morgan. One of the mothers of American craft, she is among those responsible for founding and growing the organizations that to this day foster craft artists and their work. Living during the Great Depression, Lucy Morgan believed that craft could offer self-sufficiency to Appalachian people. She also understood that the benefits of craft education extend far beyond beautiful, tangible objects to include the joy of making, community, and building a better world together.
On Lucy Morgan’s birthday, we’re celebrating what hasn’t changed at Penland in 95 years…
September 20th is Lucy Morgan’s birthday, and today we are taking a few moments to acknowledge her legacy. In 1958, reflecting upon her life, she published her memoir, Gift from the Hills. Below you will find some quotes from Lucy Morgan, taken from her book, that show that while many things have changed in 95 years since the founding our our school, much has remained constant.
Preserving and Advancing Craft
“We have sought diligently and with much zeal to revive and cherish these most-lost arts of our forebears.”
Immersive Learning
“Folk having the time of their lives making things, beautiful things that a few months before they came to Penland few would have thought they could ever make, or would ever dare attempt to make…”
Collective Energy
“Life at Penland is never humdrum, never prosaic. We live on change–on excitement, development, and growth.”
Finding our People
“Almost without exception, those interested in handicrafts are wonderful personalities.”
Community in Craft
“The joy of creative occupation; and a certain togetherness–working with one another in creating the good and the beautiful, working together in love.”
Better Together
“We have been made happy in seeing our hopes materialize as others have gained and shared our interest and have added their enthusiastic support to our efforts. We have watched dreams become realities.”
Thank you for being a part of the world that Lucy Morgan imagined. For 95 years, our community has come together to build and sustain a place that is greater than the sum of its parts. If you are able, we encourage you to make a gift today in Miss Lucy’s honor.
