We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Berri Kramer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Berri, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

After working with Better Homes and Gardens for 20 years, it was time to change course. In my mid 40’s I decided to start a small Art College in Southern Maine (some say I must have been a little out of my mind.) It was inspired by my experience at the DeCordova Musuem and the City and Guilds Art School in London, where I had attended my Junior year in College.

Heartwood College of Art was started in 1993. There were many hurdles and bumps, but with some amazing backing and a fabulous faculty, it was a huge success. We moved through licensing with the state of Maine and were eventually granted approval to offer a 2 year degree, a 4 year BFA and finally a low residency MFA degree. Susan Wilder, Dean of Students, called it an amazing 25 year project. We decided to close the College a few years ago, after we graduated our final MFA students. There were several factors contributing to the decison, but we ended on a very positive note and today there are many artists out in the world with the inspiring influence of Heartwood College of Art under their belt. Small independent art colleges are now disappearing at a rapid rate, unfortunately for all of us.

Berri, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Lincoln, MA and as a young child in I was fortunate enough to attend Saturday classes at the DeCordova Museum. I looked forward to those classes all week, especially while daydreaming in math class. I attended Kent State Univeristy in Ohio and earned a BFA degree in Design and Crafts. At that point I had the basics of drawing, color and design under my belt, but not a clear path of where I was actually going. I loved putting things together and the feel of clay in my hands. Right after college I went to Japan and was captivated by the the sense of Japanese design, balance and beauty found in their ceramics and textiles: I will never forget women running down the river banks to catch indigo dyed stoned washed cotton.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I can think of no other “job” I would rather have than that of being an artist. I don’t consider it an 9-5 job, but rather a way of life that guides my everyday decisions, priorites, problem solving and joys.

Once I discovered the vast, sensuous patterns and palettes of textiles, I began to follow my path. I had a dream of a shirt with an embroidered front. It turned out to be the most complicated pattern and kit to assemble that I ever created. I advertised it as a kit in Yankee magazine and it was picked up by a small group representing Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. At that time, they were building a national crafts club. It was pre-internet when the means of communication amongst crafters was largely in the form of monthly magazines. Through trial and error I learned a lot about different methods and materials used to create functional and non fuctional pieces. Probably the most valuable lesson of that job was devloping discipline to show up in my studio early every morning. I learned to meet deadlines, figure out construction techniques, create patterns and develop resources.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It was inspired by my experience at the DeCordova Musuem and the City and Guilds Art School in London, where I had attended my Junior year in College.

Heartwood College of Art was started in 1993. There were many hurdles and bumps, but with some amazing backing and a fabulous faculty, it was a huge success. We moved through licensing with the state of Maine and were eventually granted approval to offer a 2 year degree, a 4 year BFA and finally a low residency MFA degree. Susan Wilder, Dean of Students, called it an amazing 25 year project. We decided to close the College a few years ago, after we graduated our final MFA students. There were several factors contributing to the decison, but we ended on a very positive note and today there are many artists out in the world with the inspiring influence of Heartwood College of Art under their belt. Small independent art colleges are now disappearing at a rapid rate, unfortunately for all of us.

I currently spend a part of everyday in my studio. Working in both paint and textiles I continue to explore a vareity of subjects, palettes, and methods.(ie. In my work at the moment I am researching and incorporating gold leaf in my Collage.)

One of my greatest joys is still teaching, and I now run workshops in Maine and Italy. There is nothing greater than watching a spark catch hold as a person completely loses and finds themselves in the studio. I can see an expression of an “ah ha” moment on their face as they listen to an artistic voice never heard before. Art continues to be a life changing process for me, whether in my own studio or encouraging other artists to expand their own “toolbox.”

Contact Info:

• Website: berrikramer.com
• Instagram: berrikramer
• Facebook: kramer berri

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Berri Kramer