Cami Smith

1. What inspired the creation of CERF+, and how has its mission evolved over the years? In 1985, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) was co-founded by Carol Sedestrom Ross, then president of American Craft Enterprises, and glassblower Josh Simpson. They recognized the inherent generosity within the craft community, often demonstrated when artists would “pass the hat” to collect funds during shows and exhibitions to support fellow artists experiencing emergencies.

| Artist Feature Thinking Through Textiles, held on February 21, 2025 at University of California Los Angeles’s Broad Art Center in the EDA: Experimental Digital Arts Space, explored the role of textiles in education, technology, and sustainability.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Marcia Young has been a transformative force in art and fine craft. As the founder of the Fiber Art Network, former publisher, editor-in-chief of Fiber Art Now magazine, and author, Young has tirelessly championed the visibility and value of fiber arts. Now, as the executive director of the Society of Arts and Crafts, she brings her passion and vision to a broader creative community.