Craft in America explores the vitality, history and significance of the craft movement in the United States and its impact on our nation's rich cultural heritage. Capturing the beauty, creativity and originality of craftsmanship, the film highlights artists and explores the inter-relationship of what they do, how they do it and why they have chosen a life of creating art.

WLIW Arts Beat celebrates the rich world of arts and culture. Episodes feature segments from Long Island, NY., the tri-state area, and across the nation.

In this edition of WLIW Arts Beat, a couple who loves to decorate for Halloween; an artist who depicts Southern wildlife and culture; a large-scale video installation that explores the migration experience; solar-powered sculptures that resemble everyday objects. 

Beyond being a form of self-expression, painting is a therapeutic outlet that allows you to explore and communicate emotions, thoughts and experiences visually. This creative process fosters a sense of relaxation and stress relief, promoting mental well-being. The act of mixing colors, manipulating brushes and navigating the canvas promotes improved motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Painting encourages mindfulness as you immerse yourself in the present moment, focusing on the strokes and details of your work.

Bob Ross relaxes viewers and encourages the painting hobbyist in The Best of the Joy of Painting. Using his "wet-on-wet" technique, Bob paints natural scenes with bold strokes across the canvas, from cascading waterfalls to snow-covered forests. Bob Ross’ calm disposition and easy-to-follow instruction remind viewers that “there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.”

Pittsburgh cartoonist Joe Wos takes students through the creative steps of drawing cartoon characters, while sharing educational facts on the cartoon subjects. Viewers will also learn artistic terms during each lesson.

The tangible satisfaction of producing something handmade is just one benefit of quilting (and sewing). These practices also serve as a therapeutic and meditative process. The rhythmic and repetitive nature of stitching fosters a sense of calm and focus, providing an escape from the stresses of daily life. As you engage with fabrics, needles, and threads, you enhance your fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Quilting promotes problem-solving and attention to detail, as each stitch requires precision and planning. Overall, the benefits of sewing extend beyond the finished product.

The Best of Sewing with Nancy continues the tradition of bringing the best in contemporary sewing, quilting and home decorating ideas to public television viewers. Join Nancy Zieman and her guests as they share their love of the sewing arts by exploring the latest ideas in one of the country’s most popular crafts.

In the episode "How to Sew Art Part One", Tammie Bowser, an award-winning quilter, shares her amazing technique of transforming a digital photo into quilted photography. Learn how to change a photo into pixels, choose fabrics by color value, and create a unique wall hanging. 

Starting in 1978, Georgia Bonesteel helped teach and popularize quilting through this long-running series. Produced by PBS North Carolina and filmed throughout North Carolina, the United States and across the world, the series highlights the art, craft and creativity of quiltmaking.

In the episode "Ready, Set, Sew", viewers learn how to make the quilter’s tote, and get a look inside all the useful quilting notions of today. Also, hear suggestions for studio planning with an emphasis on areas for sewing, pressing and inspiration. 

Quilters — including author Georgia Bonesteel — historians and collectors discuss the craft as an artform and their role in the revolution of modern quilting.

Have you ever taken a mound of clay and molded it into a mug? A vase? How about a sculpture? There's nothing quite as satisfying as transforming a lump of wet clay into a functional (or decorative) piece. Pottery and sculpture serve as a unique form of self-expression, allowing you to convey your artistic visions through the manipulation of form and texture. 

Drawing upon outstanding collections of historic Pueblo pottery, in this documentary Pueblo people share personal insights that reveal how pottery is a powerful element that sits at the heart of their cultures.

Ceramic artist Osa Atoe of Sarasota creates pottery with her collection of wild clay. Louisiana fiber artist Sherry Tamburo makes colorful, eco-friendly accessories from sustainable materials, and so much more!

Meet Gabe Gaffney-Smith, a former professional ballet dancer who creates sculptures that emulate movement. Columbus fashion designer Esther Sands fuses African and Asian aesthetics into her fashions. Dathan Kane, an abstract painter is pushing the boundaries of his medium. Listen to music by Bella Whitt and The Fog, whose creations are both rhythmic and lyrical.

Textile art, encompassing a wide range of techniques like weaving, embroidery and quilting, offers a wealth of benefits. The repetitive motions of stitching or weaving can promote a sense of calm and mindfulness and the tactile nature of working with fabrics enhances fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Textile art serves as a powerful means of self-expression, allowing individuals to convey their stories, emotions, and cultural influences through the use of color, texture and pattern.

Join us in Francelise Dawkins' Spring Street Gallery studio for a colorful journey into textile art. With roots in Paris and inspiration from her multicultural background, Dawkins brings fabrics to life with a dance of scissors and a palette of vibrant colors.

Editor's note: This article was updated April 22, 2026, to remove videos that were no longer available for streaming.