About The Mission Guild Studio



Mission Guild Studio is a "Unique" dual artisan studio specializing in a revival and renewal of Arts & Crafts era ideals. Established in 1999, the studio is owned and operated by Christie Schorf-Miller and James M. Miller. Christie and James are a diverse artisan/craftsman team working solo as well as collaborating on the next level of Mission & Arts and Crafts in America.
 
With a strong passion and established philosophy of “Forward Thinking in the Craftsman Tradition” this artisan guild offers unique & one of a kind tiles for installation or collecting, framed tiles, fine jewelry, framed prints, furnishings & home décor. James and Christie specialize in multi-mediums such as Rare Hardwoods, Clay, Precious Metals, Painting, Stained Glass, and Copper just to name a few. Individually they each bring you over 20+ years of experience in the arts and design. Influenced and Inspired by the Arts& Crafts movement many of the Mission Guild tiles are created with the same hand crafting methods used by both Ernest Batchelder and Moravian. The artisans at Mission Guild do not create exact reproductions of any prior or present artisans work but rather they develop new works embracing those designs & inspirations.
 
Christie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, from the State University of New York at Oneonta, with a concentration in Sculpture and Design and an honorable Phi Theta Kappa Associates Degree from Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, New York; with a concentration in Commercial Art and Illustration. James studied at both the New York School of Interior Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City; with a concentration in Design.

 
Christie & James are individually awarded the designation of "Roycroft Renaissance Master Artisan". The history of the Roycroft campus dates back to the early 1900’s with origins in East Aurora, NY. This designation of Roycroft Artisan includes the privilege of using the Historical and Highly Collectable Roycroft Renaissance Mark/Orb on their creations. Only artisans whose work exemplifies the following criteria are awarded the use of the Roycroft Renaissance Mark by the Roycrofters at Large Association: High quality of hand craftsmanship, Excellence in design, Continuous artistic growth, Originality of expression and Professional recognition. Christie has received Roycroft Master Artisan status for her outstanding work in Clay. James has received the Roycroft Master Artisan status for his outstanding work in Wood. Christie has also received the Roycroft Artisan awarded status for her works in Metal/Jewelry.

"Our offerings are each individually artisan designed and handcrafted here in our studio, not factory mass produced. There is never a shortage of ideas at the Mission Guild, we offer a variety of exclusive, one time only, artisan creations with limited availability through our galleries, exhibits and online as well as some orderable selections such as tiles and framed works through the www.missionguild.com web site. We are frequently updating and adding new exclusive hand wrought selections to all our venues... Creating the heirlooms & antiques of tomorrow.” Christie & James  www.MissionGuild.com