America’s Arts & Crafts Movement
by Charles A. Shepard III of the Ft. Wayne Museum of Art
Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

This is a community presentation for anyone who owns a Brown original or has built or decorated in the craftsman style or
those who enjoy the aesthetics of the style. The program is open to all. Mr. Shepard’s program is offered free of charge
through the generous outreach endeavor of the Ft. Wayne Museum of Art.

The American Arts and Crafts Movement is a domestic style in architecture, interior and landscape design, applied arts
and the decorative arts. Its influence on lifestyle philosophy began in the last years of the 19th century and as a
comprehensive design and art movement it remained popular into the 1930s. However, it has continued with numerous
revivals and restoration projects through present times, having won hearts and tastes of generations.

The Arts Commerce & Visitors Centre was designed by architect Ron Dick to be reminiscent of the period that included
Bluffton’s successful artisan W. B. Brown, maker of lamps, furnishings and home interior décor from 1906 to 1923. Dr.
Michael and Jill Clark researched Brown’s legacy in their visits to Wells County in early 2000’s. The art center window
overlooking the Wabash River displays an original Brown chandelier from the First Bank of Berne.

The simple, refined aesthetics of Arts and Crafts era were meant to ennoble middle class homes, often bungalow style.
The restrained and harmonious beauty of the style continues to appeal to today’s designers.
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