When I was reviewing material for my first Crafty Living column about the Indiana Arts Commission grant for crafters, I began to wonder: What is the difference between arts and crafts? When does a craft become an art?

Turns out, I’m not the first to ask that question. It’s one that has been debated plenty and, depending upon whom you ask, the answer can vary.

I once had someone tell me, when I mentioned I never considered myself an artist, that it could be a matter of confidence or self-esteem. Turns out, though, that my reluctance to consider myself an artist (I crochet, make jewelry and sew) may have some basis in reality.

I took my question to two of what I’m sure are many folks in Fort Wayne who have an answer to the question, and what each of them had to say was basically the same: There is a difference, the line is blurry, and just because your craft isn’t considered art does not diminish its value.

Lesley Lundgren, exhibit coordinator for the Allen County Public Library Krull Gallery, has a nearly lifelong background in arts and crafts. She grew up around crafts, has a college background heavy in the humanities and is responsible for exhibits in the Krull Gallery. She says the question of where craft ends and art begins is part of her everyday life.

“I think it’s a question that has been around for a long time,” she said. “The arts and crafts movement has always been struggling with what is applied art and what is fine art, and that’s a pretty academic discussion. But, when I think of where the difference is, it always comes back to expression,” whether the person is trying to express a point of view.

After all, Lundgren points out, “Every artisan has to be a craftsman,” but that doesn’t mean every craftsman is an artist.

Local professional potter Kristy Jo Beber, a member of the local artist co-op that owns and operates the Orchard Gallery on Covington Road, agreed with Lundgren’s view on the topic.

Beber, who has an art background in pottery, teaches pottery classes for Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne’s continuing education program.

Something both women point out is that one important aspect in the discussion is whether you are creating an original work or copying someone else’s idea. For example, when a friend of mine is having a baby, I typically mine the free patterns available on the Internet for the perfect blanket to crochet for the baby. I then make it my own based on the nursery colors and the parents’ preferences. The blanket won’t be an original design, and it isn’t meant to express any point of view. Hopefully, it will be pretty and functional and something the family can enjoy for what it is.

Beber describes the students in her pottery classes as a fine example of the difference between arts and crafts. When people first enter her classes, they are learning technique, and they copy the work of others to learn the technical aspects of the craft.

The point at which they stop taking inspiration from others’ work and strike out on their own, they begin making originals and start down the path toward art.

“If you’re just taking somebody else’s ideas, even if you’re executing it well, it’s a craft because you’re not the mastermind behind it,” she said.

Now, we know what two professionals think. What do you think? Shoot us an e-mail at craftyliving@jg.net or visit us at www.journalgazette.net/craftyliving, click on this story and post a comment. We’d loved to hear from you.